The goal of BEDPAN is to develop a sustainable and cost-effective approach for the synthesis of these nanoparticles.
Research visits to Spain and Germany
Dr. Ana Lucia Campaña, a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo (UiO), previously conducted a research visit to the laboratory of Professor Dr. Mohamed L. Merroun at the University of Granada (Spain) where she used HAADF-STEM (High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy) to characterize bacterial nanoparticle samples. Now, supported by the Kristine Bonnevie travel stipend, she is spending seven weeks at the University of Regensburg (Germany) under the guidance of Professor Reinhard Rachel. There, she will use electron tomography to create 3D reconstructions that will provide deeper insights into how bacteria form nanoparticles, their distribution within cells, and their interactions with cellular components—key factors influencing nanoparticle size, morphology, and catalytic properties with industrial relevance.
Why are research visits necessary?
Specialized nanoscale characterization, such as the analysis of our bacteria-nanoparticle samples, requires years of expertise in both proper sample preparation and the selection of appropriate methodologies to obtain specific information. This includes composition, cellular structures, nanoparticle size distribution and morphology, as well as their spatial distribution within the samples.
Providing specialized knowledge for these specific samples
– While the initial sample preparation is done at UiO, the sample processing required for proper analysis is typically done at the visiting institutions, Dr. Campaña explains. They have the necessary expertise and established protocols to achieve the best results, and although similar instruments and microscopes may be available in Norway, the specialized knowledge needed to analyze these specific samples is crucial for obtaining high-quality data.