Photo (left to right): Prof. Amilra Prasanna de Silva, Prof. David Magri, Gabriel Gauci (Ph.D. candidate) and Nicola’ Agius (M.Sc. candidate). Prof. de Silva is the inventor of molecular logic and author of the book Molecular Logic-based Computation.
Prof. David Magri and research students Gabriel Gauci and Nicola’ Agius attended the 7th International Conference on Molecular Sensors & Molecular Logic Gates. The conference from the 12-15 July 2022 was held at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin, Ireland .
The conference programme consisted of over 90 oral and 60 poster presentations with speakers from the United States, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Singapore, Australia, Thailand and Europe. The University of Malta was well represented by four poster presentations and an invited lecture. Gabriel Gauci, who is reading for Ph.D. in chemistry, was honoured with a best poster award.
An invited lecture by Prof. Magri was entitled Applications of Pourbaix Sensors: Molecular Logic Gates for Acidity and Oxidisability. Pourbaix sensors are a novel class of smart molecular sensor developed at the University of Malta that can detect for the early signs of corrosion before it is visible to the naked eye by emitting a fluorescent signal [1]. The same molecules have also been demonstrated as potential anticancer and fluorescent cellular imaging agents [2].
The research performed in the Department of Chemistry within the Laboratory of Luminescent Sensors & Molecular Logic Gates is supported by ERDF grant 309CT 3097/2013 “Strengthening of the Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry Facilities".
Funding to attend the conference was provided by the University of Malta and RIDT.
Photo: Gabriel Gauci (Ph.D. candidate, centre) receiving his best poster award (book & certificate) from Prof. Tony James (left) in the presence of conference co-host Prof. Robert Elmes (right).
[1] Glenn J. Scerri, Jake C. Spiteri and *David C. Magri, Pourbaix Sensors in Polyurethane Molecular Logic-Based Coatings for Early Detection of Corrosion, Materials Advances, 2021, 2, 434-439. DOI: 10.1039/D0MA00839G
