SISSI-Bio offline

Welcome to the SISSI-Bio offline Laboratory

SISSI-Bio Offline is the infrared vibrational spectroscopy Laboratory at Elettra, that will be jointly operated with the synchrotron radiation on-line facility, SISSI-Bio until the beginning of Elettra dark period. The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments for infrared spectroscopy, microscopy and imaging based on glow-bar and laser sources, capable to cover the far and mid infrared regimes. Chemical details can be achieved at different scale of spatial resolution, from the macro-scale (FTIR spectroscopy) to the micro (FTIR microscopy), sub-micron (Optical Photothermal Infrared) and the nano-scale (IR nanoscopy) on bulk materials, surfaces and interfaces. The applications of infrared vibrational analysis cover a wide range of research fields, including, among others, Life and Medical Science, Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry,  Environmental Science and Cultural Heritage. More details on the reserach topics and available instruments may be found at the Research and Lab Description related webpages. 

Research highlights

Cryo-preserved platelets quality over time after thawing

FTIR microscopy reveals time-dependet alterations of the biochemical profile of cryo-preserved platelets after thawing, letting to suggest their safe usage in medical settings 1h after their thawing.

G. Gavioli, et al.,  Platelets 34(1), 2023

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A nanfocused IR light on Stradivari Violins

Some constructive secrets of Antonio Stradivari's violins are still well-guarded. Nanoresolved  IR s-SNOM  contributed new and robust evidence to the long-debated question about the use of proteinaceous materials for wood by the Cremonese Master.


C. Stani  et al. Analytical Chemistry 94(43), 14815 (2022)

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Investigating Plastic Incorporation in Benthic Foraminifera Using FTIR Microscopy

To understand the fate of plastic in oceans and the interaction with marine organisms, we investigated the incorporation of (bio)polymers and microplastics in selected benthic foraminiferal species by applying FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) microscopy.


G. Birarda  et al. Environmental Pollution, 279, 116912 (2021)

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Impact of Cigarette filters Leachates on Benthic Foraminifera: Toxicity and Shell Degradation

SCigarette butts are the most common form of litter in the world and their environmental impact is related to both persistence and potential toxic effects for chemical composition. The objective of this study was to assess the acute toxicity of human-smoked cigarette butts leachate on 3 cultured genera of benthic foraminifera.

F. Caridi et al., Marine Environmental Reserach, 162, 105150 (2020)

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Surface-Enhanced Infrared Absorption Microscopy for protein structural analysis

SEIRA microscopy with IR plasmonic devices has been exploted for the study of the secondary structure of proteins of medical relevance, such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and SARS CoV-2 main protease (Mpro), under relevant physiological conditions.


P. Zucchiatti et al., Nanoscale 13(16), 7667-7677 (2021)
F. Piccirilli et al., Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 322, 124772 (2024)

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Proposal Submission

From the second semester 2025, SISSI-Bio offline will be open to users. Access to the laboratory will be granted according to the consolidated peer-review competitive research scheme. We invite users and collaborators to discuss their proposals with the laboratory local contacts well in advance before the submission deadline. This is crucial for improving the proposed experimental plan, both in terms of instrument selection and sample prepration.