(4cm) Advanced Optical Nanosensors to Nanoenzymes – Engineered Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Agricultural Applications

The defined synthesis of nanomaterials is crucial for tailoring their properties for subsequent biomedical or agricultural applications. Using various wet-chemical and aerosol-based synthesis procedures, such as flame spray pyrolysis (FSP), the development and surface modification of various nanoparticles can be precisely controlled, allowing for the fine-tuning of physicochemical properties.

My interdisciplinary research focuses on three main areas: 1) Tailoring 1D Carbon Nanotubes as Optical Sensors. Through rational design strategies, the surface chemistry and optical properties of these emerging nanomaterials can be controlled. This allows their use as chemical sensors for detecting bacterial infections¹ or plant-pathogen interactions^2,3. 2) Developing Catalytically Active Inorganic Nanomaterials. Metal oxides are engineered to improve wound healing through radical scavenging or to induce cell death via radical generation in photodynamic or radiotherapy scenarios.⁴ 3) Synthesizing NIR-Fluorescent Nanomaterials. This includes ceramics⁵ and 2D copper tetrasilicates⁶ designed to enhance orthopedic implants, combat bacterial infections, and provide a next-generation platform for NIR-fluorescence imaging and sensing applications. I am seeking a faculty position where I can extend and advance my research. Collaboration with faculty colleagues and other experts in these fields is essential for developing new approaches for optical and catalytically active nanomaterials for biomedical and orthopedic applications, as well as chemical sensors to improve agricultural solutions in the future.

1. Nißler, R. et al. Remote near infrared identification of pathogens with multiplexed nanosensors. Nat. Commun. 11, 5995 (2020).
2. Wu, H and Nißler, R. et al. Monitoring Plant Health with Near-Infrared Fluorescent H2O2 Nanosensors. Nano Lett. 20, 2432–2442 (2020).
3. Nißler, R. et al. Detection and Imaging of the Plant Pathogen Response by Near-Infrared Fluorescent Polyphenol Sensors. Angew. Chemie - Int. Ed. 61, (2022).
4. Nißler, R. et al. Protein Aggregation on Metal Oxides Governs Catalytic Activity and Cellular Uptake. Small 2311115, 1–16 (2024).
5. Nißler, R. et al. Material-Intrinsic NIR-Fluorescence Enables Image-Guided Surgery for Ceramic Fracture Removal. Adv. Healthc. Mater. 2302950, 1–12 (2024).
6. Nißler, R. et al. Flame-Spray-Synthesis of Ultrabright, Nanoscale Near-Infrared Fluorescent 2D Copper Silicates for In Vivo Bioimaging. Submitted

Teaching Interests:

I envision teaching courses in bioanalytical chemistry and nanoparticle chemistry, conducting seminars on critical design thinking for biomedical solutions, and fostering undergraduate students' research interests through hands-on lab work.