Fundamentals and applications of plasmonics and ultrafast lasers in nanomedecine

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Nanomedicine, the branch of nanotechnology dealing with bringing applications to the medical world, seeks to deliver a valuable set of research biomedical tools and clinically useful devices and approaches, such as nano-optical biosensors and targeted therapy. It is anticipated that nanomedecine will also find its applications in the new developing theranostics approaches, a proposed process involving combined therapy and diagnostic for individual patients. The proposed research program specifically deals with the applications of optics to nanomedecine, mostly emphasising the physics and engineering developments. Two interrelated approaches and tools involving plasmonics and ultrashort pulses will be developed. Bioplasmonic exploits the optical properties of metallic nanostructures at the nanoscale and can be used to either detect very low concentrations of analytes, image specific cells or organs or transmit locally energy for therapeutic purposes. Due to its ultrashort pulses, the use of femtosecond lasers offers new ways to interact with materials, nanomaterials and biological media and opens up innovative approaches to biodetection, imaging, surgery and therapy. The aim of the proposed research program is to develop and model new plasmonic nanostructured biosensors, ultrafast laser nanosurgery and nanoprocessing techniques with the long term objective to introduce new devices and approaches for nanomedecine applications, such as imaging, biodetection and therapy. Over the five year period, the Discovery research program will contribute to the training of 10 undergraduate students, 6 PhDs, 2 Postdoctoral fellows and one part time technician. These highly qualify personnels will be trained in nanotechnologies and laser technologies for various applications in nanomedecine which are highly relevant to many Canadian biomedical industries, research centers, universities and hospitals. In summary, this research will bring new basic knowledge, materials and technologies for imaging, biodetection and therapy for the expanding important field of nanomedecine and theranostics. We anticipate that the findings and developed technologies will improve Canadian's quality of life and could potentially save lives.