Research summary
Nanocavities are nanometre-scale structures for trapping light. Dr. Cecile Malardier-Jugroot, Canada Research Chair in Self-Assembly and Nanomaterials, is trying to clarify the crucial role of confinement in one-and two-dimensional nanocavities during the thermodynamic optimization of reactions in biological systems.
She and her research team are developing invaluable information about the individual factors that influence the efficiency of biological systems that are inaccessible in a living organism, including the precise shape of the active centre of proteins and receptor-host interaction for targeted drug delivery. The second part of their research program will focus on controlling the growth of metal catalytic monolayers for increased activity within the nanocavities and opening new high-impact applications in collaboration with national and international researchers.