Roukes' group develops nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) for single-molecule mass sensing and resonant spectrometry, and large-scale neurotechnology platforms (including integrated neurophotonic probes) for recording brain activity, pushing mechanical and neural sensing toward single-analyte and single-neuron resolution. For context, this complements the established paradigm of NV-diamond ensemble magnetometry (Hahn-echo/DEER, nanoscale NMR, T1 relaxometry) operating near pT/√Hz sensitivity.
Rowlands develops new optical imaging technologies for biology and medicine, including label-free vibrational (coherent Raman) microscopy and computational imaging approaches aimed at faster, higher-resolution biomedical imaging.
Giulia Rubino's research bridges quantum foundations and quantum technologies using integrated photonics. Research: (1) indefinite causal order — experimental demonstration of quantum switch using photonic chips; (2) quantum thermodynamics — fundamental limits of thermodynamic work extraction in quantum systems; (3) quantum information processing with photonic integrated circuits. Appointed Lecturer January 2024.
Rueda leads a single-molecule imaging group (jointly at Imperial and the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences) that combines single-molecule FRET, fluorogenic RNA aptamer imaging and optical tweezers to reveal the structural dynamics of RNA folding/splicing, CRISPR-Cas9 target search and off-target activity, and chromatin-remodelling complexes; the aptamer-imaging technology has been spun out as the startup Irida.
Applies advanced single-molecule biosensing to study the cyanobacterial circadian clock — the only fully reconstitutable in vitro biochemical oscillator. Directions: (1) single-molecule FRET and fluorescence imaging to track conformational states of KaiC ATPase during clock cycles with single-protein resolution; (2) single-molecule reconstitution of the complete KaiA/KaiB/KaiC oscillator; (3) mathematical modeling of biochemical oscillation. Technique focus: single-molecule fluorescence as quantitative biosensing tool for protein conformational dynamics. Joint appointment Microbiology.
Sapienza studies light propagation and control in complex/disordered nanophotonic media, using wavefront shaping and transmission-matrix approaches to focus and image through scattering media, with applications to deep-tissue fluorescence imaging and nanophotonic light sources.
Marie-Claire Schanne-Klein (DR1 CNRS, LOB) specializes in polarized SHG and THG microscopy for structural tissue imaging. Research: (1) polarimetric SHG imaging of collagen fibril organization — molecular orientation mapping; (2) THG microscopy for myelin and red blood cell imaging; (3) structural and functional label-free imaging of connective tissues; (4) multi-scale SHG/THG analysis of biopolymer structure. SHG expert in LOB.
Uses single-molecule spectroscopy, optical trapping, and advanced imaging to study nanoscale systems. Directions: (1) orientation-resolved single-molecule spectroscopy using polarization-controlled excitation and detection; (2) optical trapping of individual nanoparticles and viruses to study force-dependent dynamics; (3) plasmon-enhanced single-molecule detection and imaging beyond diffraction limit; (4) ultrafast spectroscopy of nanoscale energy transfer.
Schermelleh develops and applies 3D structured-illumination and correlative super-resolution/cryo-EM microscopy to study spatial genome architecture, investigating how biophysical forces, epigenetic memory and cohesin activity shape cell-type-specific transcription programmes at the nanoscale; he directs the Micron Oxford Advanced Bioimaging Facility.
Schnitzer's lab invents miniaturized and fiber-based two-photon microscopes and voltage/calcium imaging methods that allow single-cell-resolution recording of neural activity in freely behaving animals, including recent wide-field fluorescence-lifetime voltage imaging developed with the Kasevich group for high-throughput readout of neuronal spiking.