Richter-Dahlfors Laboratory

Professor

Agneta Richter Dahlfors

Phone:	+46-(0)8-524 874 25
Organizational unit:	Department of Neuroscience (Neuro), C4
E-mail:	Agneta.Richter.Dahlfors@ki.se

The Swedish Medical Nanoscience Center

Research focus

Situated in the Swedish Medical Nanoscience Center, Richter-Dahlfors’ research group embraces scientists with expertise in micro­biology/infection, neuroscience, and medicine as well as chemistry, organic- and micro­electronics. Via extensive engagement in national and international multidisciplinary collaborations, we focus on defining the integrated pathophysiology of bacterial infections, and on generating novel technologies for neuromodulation.

Tissue microbiology reveals the integrated pathophysiology of infection: By applying a panel of intravital techniques (e.g. intravital 2-photon microscopy, amperometric bio­sensors), we study the real-time dynamics of the infection process within the organ at high resolution using uropathogenic E. coli-induced pyelonephritis as model. Our work:

1. aids in establishing the emerging field ‘tissue micro­biology’;
2. advances the development of biomimetic tools for complementary in vitro studies;
3. focuses on developing bio­sensors for hospital-acquired infections; and
4. producing smart materials for use in the clinic.

Organic bioelectronics in nanomedicine: We recently demonstrated the use of conducting polymers for precise, non-convective, electrophoretic delivery of signal substances, such as ions and neurotransmitters. Analogously to the function of neurons, the device mimics the action potential causing release of chemical substances into the synaptic cleft. We currently focus on integrating this technology as a novel machine-to-brain interface and as an implantable neuromodulation technology.

Controlled release of acetylcholine (ACh) from a conducting polymer matrix. Using organic bioelectronics to detect infection of cell cultures by invading bacteria. Intravital imaging of a bacterial colonisation of the kidney.

Selected publications

An organic electronic biomimetic neuron enables auto-regulated neuromodulation.
Simon D, Larsson K, Nilsson D, Burström G, Galter D, Berggren M, et al
Biosens Bioelectron 2015 Sep;71():359-364

Biomimetic interfaces reveal activation dynamics of C-reactive protein in local microenvironments.
Goda T, Kjall P, Ishihara K, Richter-Dahlfors A, Miyahara Y
Adv Healthc Mater 2014 Nov;3(11):1733-8

Organic electronics for precise delivery of neurotransmitters to modulate mammalian sensory function.
Simon D, Kurup S, Larsson K, Hori R, Tybrandt K, Goiny M, et al
Nat Mater 2009 Sep;8(9):742-6

Tissue microbiology provides a coherent picture of infection.
Richter-Dahlfors A, Rhen M, Udekwu K
Curr. Opin. Microbiol. 2012 Feb;15(1):15-22

Multiphoton microscopy applied for real-time intravital imaging of bacterial infections in vivo.
Choong F, Sandoval R, Molitoris B, Richter-Dahlfors A
Meth. Enzymol. 2012 ;506():35-61

Group members

Charalampos Antypas - PhD student

Karen Butina - PhD student

Ferdinand Xiankeng Choong - PhD student

Joel Edin - PhD student

Sara Fahlén - Research engineer

Salvador Gomez Carretero - PhD student

Mohammad Mirazul Islam - PhD student

Benjamin Andrew Libberton - Postdoc

Susanne Löffler - Postdoc

Agneta Richter Dahlfors - Professor

Svava Steiner - PhD student

Marta Veses-Garcia - Postdoc