HyGate - Hydrophobic Gating in nanochannels: understanding single channel mechanisms for designing better nanoscale sensors 

ID Call: ERC-2018-STG ERC Starting Grant

Sapienza's role in the project: Coordinator

Principal Investigator: Alberto Giacomello

Department: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Project start date: February 1, 2019

Project end date: January 31, 2024

Abstract:

Hydrophobic gating is when the movement of ions or other molecules through biological ion channels or synthetic nanopores is blocked by the formation of nanoscale bubbles. These are formed by the liquid-vapour transition between the confining hydrophobic surfaces of the gate. The EU-funded HyGate project aims to uncover the fundamental mechanisms of hydrophobic gating in model nanopores and biological ion channels to design biomimetic nanodevices. The project will leverage unique simulation and theoretical tools to study vapour nucleation in extreme confinement. The study findings and tools will be instrumental in designing better biosensors and nanodevices which avoid nanobubble formation or exploit it to achieve exquisite control of conductivity properties.