Affiliation: University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy

Dr. Eleonora Nicolai carries out her research activities as a Scientific Technician at the Department of Experimental Medicine of the University of Rome Tor Vergata, and is responsible for the following research lines: 

1) Optimization and validation of a "fast screening" system for bacteriuria in urine, through the use of fluorescence probes. (Collaboration with Prof. Weian Zhao, of the University of Irvine, CA, USA)

2) Development and clinical validation of a protocol for the rapid antibiogram. (Collaboration with Prof. Enrico Gratton, UCI, Irvine, CA, USA and ASI, Milan, Italy)

3) Study of the effects on the activity of metal proteases by orthophosphoric acid for purposes related to dental practice. (Collaboration with the Dept. of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine)

4) Study of a quantitative detection system of microplastics in water. (Collaboration with the Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata)

5) Study aimed at creating a microfluidic system for the identification of contaminants in water of a microbiological or polymeric nature with a high molecular weight (microplastics). (Collaboration with Industrial Engineering Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata; Resind srl, Rome, Italy)

6) Study of the structure and function of biological macromolecules with particular regard to the problem of aggregation and behavior of proteins under high pressure

7) Use of the “Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy” technique applied to the study of multimeric systems.

She has expertise in using the following spectroscopic techniques: static and dynamic fluorescence with time-resolved phase and modulation techniques; static fluorescence and absorption at high pressures; circular dichroism; confocal microscopy with two-photon laser excitation source; and optical and fluorescence microscopy.