Home - Applied nanoPhysics Group

Center for Bionanoscience Research (CIBION), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET)
Physics Department, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires (UBA)

Using optical methods, we explore the properties and technological applications of nanoparticles, single molecules, nanostructured materials, supramolecular assemblies, biological and hybrid nanosystems.

The Applied nanoPhysics Group was launched in October 2009 at the Physics Department, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA)

In 2012 we moved our labs to the Center for Bionanoscience Research (CIBION) of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), while Prof. Stefani still holds his position at the Physics Department of the University of Buenos Aires.

CURRENT RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Fluorescence nanoscopy.

Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, also known as fluorescence nanoscopy, has revolutionized biological imaging because they provide deep sub-wavelenght spatial resolution while keeping the low-invasiveness of far-field optical interrogation. We apply and optimize well-established methods like STED and STORM, and develop new ones, such as MINFLUX, and open-source software for fluorescence nanoscopy. With them, we address questions of cellular and neuronal biology.

Optical printing colloidal nanoparticles.

Colloidal chemistry enables the fabrication of nanoparticles of different shapes, sizes and material compositions, that exhibit unique physical and chemical properties, inexistent in bulk materials. In order to make use of those properties in devices and circuits, it is necessary to develope methods to bring the colloidal nanoparticles from the liquid phase to specific locations of solid substrates. We address this challenge using optical forces.

Self-assembled Nanophotonic Devices.

Semiconductor-based devices are approaching intrinsic limits of speed and heat dissipation.
Optical devices are faster and practically loss-less, but their size miniaturization is limited by the wavelength of light. Nanophotonics and Plasmonics deals with the manipulation of light at the nanoscale. We investigate light-matter interaction between single-photon emitters and metallic nanoparticles organized in nanodevices by self-assembly.

LATESTS NEWS

Towards fluorescence-based structural biology – Sosa et al. Small Methods

nano_x7n4r02025-10-22T12:43:19+00:00February 2nd, 2025|

Fluorescence nanoscopy has reached levels of resolution compatible with structural biology measurements. The groups of Stefan Hell and Ralf Jungmann have recently demonstrated position measurements in biological samples with a precision below 1 nm. In contrast to traditional methods like X-ray crystalography or cryo-EM, these measurements can be performed [...]

1st Training Workshop on Super-resolution Microscopy (FOMISUR)

nano_x7n4r02025-02-28T18:50:04+00:00December 13th, 2024|

Our lab leads the Federal Network for Super-resolution Microscopy (Red Federal de Microscopía de Super-Resolución) whose main objective is to disseminate super-resolution methods throughout Argentina, comprising hardware, software and "brainware", i.e. teaching and training. Within this program, we organized the first training workshop on super-resolution microscopy (Taller de Formación [...]

Wellcome Giovanni Ferrari – visiting graduate student from LMU

nano_x7n4r02025-10-22T17:07:02+00:00December 5th, 2024|

We wellcome Giovanni Ferrari, Ph.D. candidate in the group of Prof. Philip Tinnefeld at the LMU Munich, who is visiting for 4 months with a DAAD fellowship. Giovanni will work on applying p-MINFLUX for single-particle tracking and optimizing a protocolo for widespread use of SIMPLER. We look forward [...]

Prof. Stefani is incorporated to the National Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences

nano_x7n4r02025-03-02T10:19:00+00:00December 2nd, 2024|

Prof. Fernando Stefani has been appointed as a Titular Member of the prestigious National Academy of Exact, Physical, and Natural Sciences (ANCEFN). This is a significant honor, as only 37 scholars across all disciplines hold this distinguished position. His inclusion highlights his outstanding contributions to research and innovation, further strengthening [...]

Congratulations Dr. Sosa!

nano_x7n4r02025-03-02T10:51:00+00:00November 30th, 2024|

Santiago Sosa succesfully defended his Ph.D. thesis. Santi worked under the co-direction of Prof. Fernando Stefani and Prof. Fernando Goldbaum (Leloir Institute) on the engineering of the protein BLS for the fabrications of nanophotonic devices and for developing structural biology measurements based on fluorescence nanoscopy. Congratulations Santi! [...]

Congratulations Dra. Martinez!

nano_x7n4r02025-03-02T11:20:24+00:00November 22nd, 2024|

Today, Luciana Martinez successfully defended her Ph.D. thesis on optical manipulation, nanothermometry and controlled photo-induced growth of metallic nanoparticles. Next, Luciana will move to University College London to join the group of Sabrina Simoncelli, together with Cecilia Zaza. Congratulations Lu! And good luck in London! [...]

Night of the Museums 2024

nano_x7n4r02025-03-02T10:38:16+00:00November 11th, 2024|

This past Saturday was the Night of the Museums! An annual event organized by the City of Buenos Aires, the Night of the Museums invites everyone to explore the city’s cultural treasures, with museums open from 7:00 PM to midnight, featuring special exhibitions and activities. This year, CIBION participated at the Science [...]

Latin Bioimaging Meeting in Rio de Janeiro

nano_x7n4r02024-08-30T11:02:12+00:00August 24th, 2024|

The Latin Bioimaging (LABI) Meeting in Rio Janeiro was a nice opportunity to meet and discuss with friends and collaborators. Florencia Choque, Alan Szalai, Luis Marcano, Gonzalo Escalante, Santiago Sosa and Fernando Stefani participated, along with collaborators Lía Pietrasanta, Alfredo Cáceres, Francisco Barrantes, Nicolás Unsain, Mariano Bisbal, Antonella Vila, [...]