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Nottingham Trent University (NTU)

Nottingham Trent University contributes pioneering expertise in biophotonics and advanced optical engineering through its Advanced Optics and Photonics (AOP) Laboratory. The group’s research focuses on the intersection of nano-biosensing, optical manipulation, and high-resolution spectroscopy. Within the project, NTU leads the development of specialized instrumentation setups designed to optically trap, isolate, and characterize single biological molecules. Their work is instrumental in translating light-matter interactions into ultra-sensitive primary sequence data.

Nottingham Trent University Team Members

Dr. Cuifeng Ying

Senior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering & Theme Leader of AOP Group

Dr. Cuifeng Ying specializes in biophotonics and nano-biosensing. Her research focuses on the development of nanostructured sensors designed to examine disease-related proteins at the single-molecule level. At NTU, she drives pioneering projects that integrate solid-state nanopores with plasmonic nanotweezers to achieve real-time optical trapping of individual proteins.

Mahya Assadipapari

Doctoral Researcher

Mahya Assadipapari is a researcher specializing in monitoring biomolecular structural dynamics using solid-state nanopores. Her research targets advanced surface functionalization and polymer coating strategies to optimize nanopore performance, reduce system noise, and enable long-duration molecular translocation measurements without pore clogging. She integrates these surface-engineering techniques with advanced MATLAB-based data analysis to explore protein assembly, disassembly dynamics, and molecular heterogeneity in complex mixtures.

Shivam Jadaun

Doctoral Researcher (Panjab University–NTU Dual PhD Programme)

Shivam Jadaun's work focuses on ultra-low current signal acquisition, analog front-end hardware design, and real-time processing for single-molecule protein detection using solid-state nanopores. He designs and evaluates low-noise analog circuitry—including custom transimpedance amplifiers, precise operational amplifier stages, and fabrication circuits—to capture high-fidelity biosignals. His processing frameworks are supported by embedded microprocessing platforms such as STM32 and custom MATLAB App Designer interfaces.

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