New methods for the characteriza- tion of bioconjugated nanoparticles Researchers from the SNI network have developed two new spectroscopic methods for the quantitative determination of functional surface groups on metal oxide nanoparticles — a key prerequisite for targeted bioconjugation with biologically active molecules such as antibodies. These methods are based on flu- orescence or UV-Vis spectroscopy and were success- fully tested on hafnium oxide nanoparticles. The studies were carried out and published by SNI doc- toral student Elizaveta Maksimova, from the group led by Professor Jonathan de Roo, in collaboration with group colleagues. SNI post Original publication Researchers from the SNI network developed two new spectroscopy meth- ods to quantify functional groups on the surface of metal oxide nanoparti- cles. (Electron microscopic image: Department of Chemistry and Nano Imaging Lab, University of Basel) Video on World Quantum Day As part of this International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, we marked World Quantum Day on 14 April with a behind-the-scenes look at quantum research at the University of Basel. In this short video, researchers from the Department of Physics of the University of Basel explain which areas of quantum science they work in and why this research wouldn’t be possible without nanoscience and nan- otechnology. Video “Quantum needs Nano” In the short video, various researchers from the SNI network explain why they need “nano” for their quantum research. International Women’s Day To celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March, we published a video with Professor Andrea Hofmann (Department of Physics, University of Basel) in which the young physicist talks about her research into transport within semiconductors, which contributes to the creation of qubits. Video about the research of Andrea Hofmann SNI post Andrea Hofmann describes her research on transport in semiconductors in a short video. 29 SNI INSight June 2025