Mariano Barella

Abstract Detecting single molecules, which represents the ultimate level of sensitivity, is typically achieved with research-grade equipment. Here we present a low-cost, portable smartphone-based fluorescence microscope capable of detecting single-molecule fluorescence directly, i.e., without the need for any signal amplification.

Abstract In vivo imaging of dynamic sub-cellular brain structures in Drosophila melanogaster is key to understanding several phenomena in neuroscience. However, its implementation has been hindered by a trade-off between spatial resolution, speed, photobleaching, phototoxicity, and setup complexity required to access the specific target regions of the small brain of Drosophila.

Films and patterns of 3D-oriented metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) afford well-ordered pore structures extending across centimeter-scale areas. These macroscopic domains of aligned pores are pivotal to enhance diffusion along specific pathways and orient functional guests. The anisotropic properties emerging from this alignment are beneficial for applications in ion conductivity and photonics.