Aleksandra Radenovic

Aleksandra Radenovic is a Full Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) holding multiple positions across the institution. She is a Full Professor at the Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology (LBEN) within the School of Engineering (STI), a Full Professor in Teaching at the School of Life Sciences (SV), and a Full Professor in Teaching at the School of Engineering (STI). Additionally, she serves as Co-Director of both the IBI-STI and IBI-SV administrative units, and is a Member of both the STI School direction and SV School direction.

Dr. Radenovic received her PhD from the University of Lausanne in 2003, where she worked with Prof. Dietler in the Laboratory of Physics of Living Matter. Prior to that, she studied physics at the University of Zagreb from 1994-1999, and completed her baccalaureate at a Classical gymnasium in 1994. She conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley from 2004-2007 in the group of Prof. Liphardt.

Her research focuses on single molecule biophysics, with particular emphasis on developing techniques and methodologies based on optical imaging, biosensing, and single molecule manipulation. Her laboratory works on three major research directions: (i) developing and using nanopores as platforms for molecular sensing and manipulation, particularly solid-state nanopores in glass nanocapillaries and 2D-material membranes; (ii) studying biomolecular function, especially protein and nucleic acid interactions, using force-based manipulation techniques like optical tweezers and Anti-Brownian Electrokinetic traps; and (iii) developing super-resolution optical microscopy based on single molecule localizations for quantitative cellular imaging. Her work bridges physics, engineering, and biology to create innovative tools for understanding molecular processes at the nanoscale.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on nanofluidics, 2D materials (particularly MoS₂ and hBN), nanopore sensing, super-resolution microscopy, and the development of novel instrumentation for biophysical applications. Her research demonstrates increasing interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating materials science, nanotechnology, and biological applications to address fundamental questions in molecular biophysics.

Dr. Radenovic has received numerous prestigious awards and grants, including:

• 2021: ERC Advanced Grant
• 2021: Optica Fellow
• 2016: CCMX Materials challenge award
• 2015: SNSF-ERC Consolidator Grant
• 2010: ERC Starting Grant
• 2003: SNSF Fellowship

She has successfully advised numerous PhD students whose research spans single molecule biophysics, nanofluidics, and optical techniques. Her laboratory, the Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology (LBEN), is well-equipped for advanced biophysical research, with capabilities in nanopore fabrication, optical trapping, super-resolution microscopy, and 2D materials characterization. Dr. Radenovic has secured significant research funding through competitive grants, including multiple ERC grants, which have supported her innovative research program at the intersection of physics, engineering, and biology.