Research Projects

The researchers are focusing on practical molecular medicine, aiming to design molecular interventions for curative purposes using experimental laser spectroscopy developments. They plan to use femtosecond laser pulses to perturb and probe the dynamics of relevant systems under confinement and in various environments, including models of chromophores and reporters. The surrounding solvent molecules can strongly influence the static and dynamical properties of these species. The simultaneous impact of a large photon flux can also be used to control the photochemical process by inducing an isolating confined environment. The researchers aim to demonstrate true spatiotemporal spectroscopy by coupling their technique of ultrafast optical tweezers with their high repetition rate ultrafast laser pulse shaping technique. They have established Femtosecond laser-induced Thermal Lens Spectroscopy (FTLS), which is built on the principle that the high repetition rate of femtosecond lasers induces a cumulative thermal effect even in highly volatile media. This enables selective and controlled laser ablation with biomedical applications, including inhibiting pathways in the cell cycle or cell division for disease mitigation. The researchers will use a femtosecond pulse 800 nm laser to trap and manipulate particles at the micro and nano-scale, using near-IR wavelengths that have negligible absorption in biological tissues and are benign at the water window. They will explore both single and dual laser beam geometries, aiming to enhance detection and curative methodology in molecular medicine.

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