atomic and molecular physics and optics

SapienzaTerahertz: THz spectroscopic image system for basic and applied sciences

Lingua Italiano

The laboratory is equipped with

a state of the art Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) THz sources with emission powers in the mW range and between (1.9-5) THz;

a state of the art 2D sensor composed of microbolometers at room temperature (and other pyroelectric sensors).

a high resolution (down to 10 MHz) coherent spectroscopy system at THz frequencies composed by a combination of photoantennas and IR lasers in optical fiber.

Comparison between a direct-flow SPR immunosensor for ampicillin and a competitive conventional amperometric device: analytical features and possible applications to real samples

In this research, we developed a direct-flow surface plasmon resonance (SPR) immunosensor for ampicillin to perform direct, simple, and fast measurements of this important antibiotic. In order to better evaluate the performance, it was compared with a conventional amperometric immunosensor, working with a competitive format with the aim of finding out experimental real advantages and disadvantages of two respective methods.

Fluorescence and computational studies of thymidine phosphorylase affinity toward lipidated 5-FU derivatives

Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is an enzyme that is up-regulated in a wide variety of solid tumors, including breast and colorectal cancers. It is involved in tumor growth and metastasis, for this reason it is one of the key enzyme to be inhibited, in an attempt to prevent tumor proliferation. However, it also plays an active role in cancer treatment, through its contribution in the conversion of the anti-cancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to an irreversible inhibitor of thymidylate synthase (TS), responsible of the inhibition of the DNA synthesis.

Adenosine monophosphate recognition by zinc-salophen complexes: IRMPD spectroscopy and quantum modeling study

Zn-salophen complexes are a promising class of fluorescent chemosensors for nucleotides and nucleic acids. We have investigated, by means of IRMPD spectroscopy experiments and quantum chemical calculations, the structure of the host-guest complexes formed by two efficient Zn-salophen receptors and dihydrogen phosphate or adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) anions. In the host-guest complexes the phosphate group is bound with a Zn. O(phosphate) bond. In addition, a hydrogen bond can be formed between the PO. H group and one of the oxygen atoms of the salophen structure.