The Nanoscale and Quantum Phenomena Institute Seminar series presents Gabriella Gagliano, who is currently pursuing the applied physics PhD program at Rice, on March 27 at 4:10 p.m. Seminars are held in ***WALTER  135*** and virtually on Teams. Refreshments provided. This week's speaker is hosted by Saw Hla.

Exploring the Nanoscale: A New Microscope for Fast, Accurate, and Precise 3D Super-Resolution Imaging

The investigation of nanoscale structures such as proteins, DNA, their dynamics, and the molecular mechanisms involved in cellular function is key to understanding disease pathogenesis, aging, and other important biological phenomena. Since the first early microscopes were created in 1590, fluorescence microscopy has come a long way in improving our understanding of biological function. Specifically, single-molecule super-resolution fluorescence microscopy has emerged as a powerful method for imaging detailed biological structures at the nanoscale. However, imaging capabilities in thick samples such as mammalian cells remain limited by high fluorescence background and slow acquisition speeds, especially when imaging multiple targets in 3D. To resolve these issues, Gabriella has constructed an innovative single-molecule super-resolution microscope for fast 3D imaging of cellular structures and their interactions at the nanoscale. This platform, capable of revealing intracellular protein organization, function, and single-molecule dynamics, opens new possibilities for understanding the spatial relationship between subcellular components and the molecular mechanisms that drive cellular behavior in health and pathogenesis. Gabriella’s research lies at the intersection of physics, engineering, and biology. By leveraging advanced optical and analysis techniques, Gabriella aims to develop cutting-edge imaging platforms for the investigation of health, aging, and disease at the nanoscale. Recently, she was awarded the 2024 Feynman Prize for this work from The Foresight Institute for advancing the development and understanding of nanotechnology.