Giampaolo Zuccheri

Research themes:
I am mainly involved in the following topics:
• ultrastructural characterization of nucleic acids and their interactions with other macromolecules and interfaces. The quantitative evaluation of atomic force microscopy (AFM) images and AFM-based force-spectroscopy signals allows the quantitative determination of such parameters as nucleic acids secondary structure, intrinsic curvature and flexibility, contour length, force and energy of interaction with solid interfaces.
• Nanobiotechnological applications of nucleic acids : DNA-based nano-objects and nano-devices are designed, prepared by self-assembly and characterized in the lab. Techniques such as optical microscopy, AFM, AFM-based single-molecule force spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy have been used in such characterizations.

• DNA biosensors . we are testing possible novel methods to exploit self-assembly towards novel generations of nucleic acids biosensors amenable of miniaturization.
• Single molecule techniques . Using single-molecule force spectroscopy, I am involved in experiments designed to study the mechanically-driven unfolding and refolding of proteins.
• Development of atomic force microscopy techniques and protocols towards structural and nanomechanical characterization of biomacromolecules, nanostructured surfaces, biomaterials, living cells.