Bacterial oxidative stress & single-cell biology
We use time-resolved fluorescence microscopy to study how individual cells respond differently to oxidative damage and antimicrobial treatment.
Photochemistry • Biochemistry • Microbiology • Imaging
Light, chemistry, and single cells.
We investigate how microorganisms respond to oxidative stress and use that knowledge to develop light-activated antimicrobial strategies, photoactive materials, and biologically targeted photochemical systems.
Oxidative
Stress
Stress
Light
hν
hν
ROS
Cells
Materials
Research focus
Understanding oxidative stress from molecules to microbial systems.
Our work brings together mechanistic photochemistry, quantitative microscopy, microbiology, and materials science to address antimicrobial challenges from complementary directions.
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy
We investigate photosensitizer-driven reactive oxygen species generation and the cellular mechanisms that determine antimicrobial photodynamic outcomes.
Bacteriophages & photochemistry
We explore strategies that combine bacteriophage specificity with photochemical approaches to create more selective antimicrobial platforms.
Photoactive & 3D-printed materials
We design light-responsive antimicrobial materials, including photosensitizer-loaded polymer systems and 3D-printed platforms for practical applications.
Our approach
Multidisciplinary by design.
The lab connects fundamental photochemical processes with bacterial physiology and functional materials.
Photochemistry
Photosensitizers, reactive oxygen species, spectroscopy, and light-controlled chemistry.
Advanced fluorescence microscopy
Real-time and single-cell measurements that reveal behavior hidden by population averages.
Microbiology & biochemistry
Mechanistic studies of microbial stress, cell viability, membranes, and antimicrobial response.
Materials & 3D fabrication
Translation of photochemistry into reusable and light-activated antimicrobial platforms.
Research training
Students are central to our science.
The Durantini Lab provides undergraduate and graduate researchers with hands-on experience in experimental design, photochemistry, microbiology, quantitative imaging, data analysis, scientific writing, and presentation.