Prof. Vahid Sandoghdar
Department of Physics, Institute of Optics, Information and Photonics

Prof. Vahid Sandoghdar
Department of Physics, Institute of Optics, Information and Photonics
Bionanophotonics: We develop and use various concepts in optical microscopy, nanofluidics and nanomanipulation to study biophysical processes in a quantitative and controlled manner. In particular, we are interested in the detection, imaging and tracking of bioparticles such as viruses, exosomes and proteins.
Research Projects
- Development of high-resolution fluorescence-free microscopy Development of ultrasensitive sensing at the single protein level Imaging protein diffusion and transport in live cells
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IZKF-S4-Discover: DISCOVER
(FAU Funds)
Project leader: , , , ,
Term: 1. April 2025 - 31. March 2027Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) are increasing globally and significantly impact quality of life, yet lack curative therapies. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent a novel area of medical research with potential to modulate immune responses and promote tissue regeneration. Once considered cellular debris, they are now recognized as potent carriers of molecular cargo, influencing cells locally and systemically. EVs have emerged as promising biomarkers and delivery vehicles for anti-inflammatory molecules. This consortium aims to expand our understanding of EVs and their diagnostic and therapeutic potential in IMIDs.
2026
- Mirzaei, M., Shkarin, A., Gurlek, B., Zirkelbach, J., Shin, A.J., Deperasińska, I.,... Sandoghdar, V. (2026). Nano–electron volt Fourier-limited transition of a single surface-adsorbed molecule. Science, 392(6805), 1384-1385. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aeg5014
- Paolini, L., Romano, M., Mangolini, V., Tassoni, S., Jiang, S., Mazzoldi, E.L.,... Radeghieri, A. (2026). Red blood cell-derived extracellular vesicles as biomaterials: the opportunity of freezing-induced accelerated aging. Biomaterials Science, 14(1), 122-139. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5bm01349f
2025
- Brunner, C.M., Pietsch, L., vom Sondern, I., Röhrl, M., Popov, C.R., Trollmann, M.,... Möckl, L. (2025). Bottom-up Investigation of Spatiotemporal Glycocalyx Dynamics with Interferometric Scattering Microscopy. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 147(36), 32799-32808. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5c08659
- Ginsberg, N.S., Hsieh, C.L., Kukura, P., Piliarik, M., & Sandoghdar, V. (2025). Interferometric scattering microscopy. Nature Reviews Methods Primers, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43586-025-00391-1
- Luo, S., Hebenstreit, T., Shkarin, A., Utikal, T., Renger, J., Sandoghdar, V., & Götzinger, S. (2025). Highly Efficient Organic Single-Photon Source Operating at Cryogenic Temperatures. In 2025 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe and European Quantum Electronics Conference, CLEO/Europe-EQEC 2025. Munich, DEU: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc..
- Mazal, H., Wieser, F.F., Bollschweiler, D., & Sandoghdar, V. (2025). Cryogenic light microscopy of vitrified samples with angstrom precision. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 122(49), e2513583122. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2513583122
- Mazal, H., Wieser, F.F., Bollschweiler, D., Schambony, A., & Sandoghdar, V. (2025). Cryo–light microscopy with angstrom precision deciphers structural conformations of PIEZO1 in its native state. Science Advances, 11(34). https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adw4402
- Musavinezhad, M., Shkarin, A., Renger, J., Utikal, T., Götzinger, S., & Sandoghdar, V. (2025). On-Chip Stark Tuning of Molecular Resonances in Nanoprinted Crystals. In 2025 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe and European Quantum Electronics Conference, CLEO/Europe-EQEC 2025. Munich, DEU: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc..
- Nobakht, J., Pscherer, A., Renger, J., Götzinger, S., & Sandoghdar, V. (2025). Hybridization of molecules via a common photonic mode. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 122(31). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2505161122
- Pourtalebijahromi, L., Kronast, B., Munkert, J., Sana, L., Koch, M., Danzer, H.,... Fuhrmann, G. (2025). Bioengineered Bacterial Vesicles and Biomimetic Hybrids Eliminate Biofilms and Balance the Gut Microbiome. Small. https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202502551
- Sant, V., Matthes, D., Mazal, H., Antonschmidt, L., Wieser, F., Movellan, K.T.,... Andreas, L.B. (2025). Lipidic folding pathway of α-Synuclein via a toxic oligomer. Nature Communications, 16(1), 760-. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-55849-3
- Tuna, Y., Al-Hiyasat, A., Kashkanova, A.D., Dechant, A., Lutz, E., & Sandoghdar, V. (2025). Electrostatic All-Passive Force Clamping of Charged Nanoparticles. ACS nano. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.4c17299
- Tuna, Y., & Sandoghdar, V. (2025). Supported Lipid Bilayers as Stochastic Conveyor Belt for Delivery to the Near Field of Nanoscopic Structures. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 129(1), 495-499. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c06908
- Zhang, X.C., Xue, K., Salvi, M., Schomburg, B., Mehrens, J., Giller, K.,... Griesinger, C. (2025). Mechanism of sensor kinase CitA transmembrane signaling. Nature Communications, 16. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-55671-3
2024
- Holler, C., Taylor, R.W., Schambony, A., Möckl, L., & Sandoghdar, V. (2024). A paintbrush for delivery of nanoparticles and molecules to live cells with precise spatiotemporal control. Nature Methods. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41592-024-02177-x
- Kasaian, K., Mazaheri, M., & Sandoghdar, V. (2024). Long-Range Three-Dimensional Tracking of Nanoparticles Using Interferometric Scattering Microscopy. ACS nano. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.4c08435
- Kashkanova, A.D., Albrecht, D., Küppers, M., Blessing, M., & Sandoghdar, V. (2024). Measuring Concentration of Nanoparticles in Polydisperse Mixtures Using Interferometric Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis. ACS nano. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.4c04396
- Mazaheri, M., Kasaian, K., Albrecht, D., Renger, J., Utikal, T., Holler, C., & Sandoghdar, V. (2024). iSCAT microscopy and particle tracking with tailored spatial coherence. Optica, 11(7), 1030-1038. https://doi.org/10.1364/OPTICA.523788
- Morales-Inostroza, L., Folz, J., Kühnemuth, R., Felekyan, S., Wieser, F.F., Seidel, C.A.,... Sandoghdar, V. (2024). An optofluidic antenna for enhancing the sensitivity of single-emitter measurements. Nature Communications, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-46730-w
- Musavinezhad, M., Renger, J., Zirkelbach, J., Utikal, T., Hail, C.U., Basché, T.,... Sandoghdar, V. (2024). High-Resolution Cryogenic Spectroscopy of Single Molecules in Nanoprinted Crystals. ACS nano. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.4c02003
- Sandoghdar, V. (2024). Essay: Exploring the Physics of Basic Medical Research. Physical Review Letters, 132(9). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.090001
2023
- Dahmardeh, M., Dastjerdi, H.M., Mazal, H., Köstler, H., & Sandoghdar, V. (2023). Breaking new ground in protein detection: Self-supervised machine learning and iSCAT enable label-free detection of single proteins below 10 kDa. In Bio-Optics: Design and Application in Proceedings Biophotonics Congress: Optics in the Life Sciences 2023, OMA, NTM, BODA, OMP, BRAIN 2023. Vancouver, BC, CAN: Optical Society of America.
- Dahmardeh, M., Mirzaalian Dastjerdi, H., Mazal, H., Köstler, H., & Sandoghdar, V. (2023). Self-supervised machine learning pushes the sensitivity limit in label-free detection of single proteins below 10 kDa. Nature Methods. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41592-023-01778-2
- Kashkanova, A.D., Blessing, M., Reischke, M., Baur, J.-O., Baur, A., Sandoghdar, V., & Van Deun, J. (2023). Label-free discrimination of extracellular vesicles from large lipoproteins. Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, 12(8). https://doi.org/10.1002/jev2.12348
- Küppers, M., Albrecht, D., Kashkanova, A.D., Lühr, J., & Sandoghdar, V. (2023). Confocal interferometric scattering microscopy reveals 3D nanoscopic structure and dynamics in live cells. Nature Communications, 14(1), 1962-. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37497-7
- Mazal, H., Wieser, F.F., & Sandoghdar, V. (2023). Insights into protein structure using cryogenic light microscopy. Biochemical Society Transactions, 51(6), 2041-2059. https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20221246
- Musavinezhad, M., Shkarin, A., Rattenbacher, D., Renger, J., Utikal, T., Götzinger, S., & Sandoghdar, V. (2023). Quantum Efficiency of Single Dibenzoterrylene Molecules in p-Dichlorobenzene at Cryogenic Temperatures. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 127(23), 5353-5359. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c01755
- Rattenbacher, D., Shkarin, A., Renger, J., Utikal, T., Gotzinger, S., & Sandoghdar, V. (2023). On-chip interference of scattering from two individual molecules. Optica, 10(12), 1595-1601. https://doi.org/10.1364/OPTICA.502221
- Zirkelbach, J., Gurlek, B., Mirzaei, M., Shkarin, A., Utikal, T., Götzinger, S., & Sandoghdar, V. (2023). Spectral splitting of a stimulated Raman transition in a single molecule. Physical Review Research, 5(4). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.5.043244
2022
- Blessing, M., Kashkanova, A.D., Gemeinhardt, A., & Sandoghdar, V. (2022). Next-generation particle sizing: interferometric nanoparticle tracking analysis (iNTA). In Optics InfoBase Conference Papers. Vancouver, BC, CAN: Optica Publishing Group (formerly OSA).
- Gurlek, B., Sandoghdar, V., & Martin-Cano, D. (2022). Engineering long-lived vibrational states for an organic molecule. In Said Zouhdi (Eds.), International Conference on Metamaterials, Photonic Crystals and Plasmonics (pp. 708-). Torremolinos, ES: META Conference.
- Kashkanova, A.D., Blessing, M., Gemeinhardt, A., Soulat, D., & Sandoghdar, V. (2022). Precision size and refractive index analysis of weakly scattering nanoparticles in polydispersions. Nature Methods. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41592-022-01460-z
- Küppers, M., Albrecht, D., Kashkanova, A., Lühr, J., & Sandoghdar, V. (2022). Nanoscale Imaging of Live Cells with Confocal Interferometric Scattering Microscopy (iSCAT). In Optics InfoBase Conference Papers. Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA: Optica Publishing Group (formerly OSA).
- Liu, H.-W., Becker, M.A., Matsuzaki, K., Kumar, R., Götzinger, S., & Sandoghdar, V. (2022). Robust Tipless Positioning Device for Near-Field Investigations: Press and Roll Scan (PROscan). ACS nano. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.2c05047
- Mazaheri, M., Kasaian, K., & Sandoghdar, V. (2022). Long-Range High-Speed 3D Tracking via Interferometric Scattering Microscopy. In Optics InfoBase Conference Papers. Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA: Optica Publishing Group (formerly OSA).
- Mazal, H., Wieser, F.-F., & Sandoghdar, V. (2022). Deciphering a hexameric protein complex with Angstrom optical resolution. eLife, 11. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.76308
- Mirzaalian Dastjerdi, H., Dahmardeh, M., Gemeinhardt, A., Mahmoodabadi, R.G., Köstler, H., & Sandoghdar, V. (2022). Optimized analysis for sensitive detection and analysis of single proteins via interferometric scattering microscopy. Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 55(5). https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6463/ac2f68
- Zirkelbach, J., Mirzaei, M., Deperasińska, I., Kozankiewicz, B., Gurlek, B., Shkarin, A.,... Sandoghdar, V. (2022). High-resolution vibronic spectroscopy of a single molecule embedded in a crystal. Journal of Chemical Physics, 156(10). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0081297
2021
- Böning, D., Wieser, F.F., & Sandoghdar, V. (2021). Polarization-Encoded Colocalization Microscopy at Cryogenic Temperatures. ACS Photonics, 8(1), 194-201. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsphotonics.0c01201
- Gurlek, B., Sandoghdar, V., & Martin-Cano, D. (2021). Engineering Long-Lived Vibrational States for an Organic Molecule. Physical Review Letters, 127(12). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.123603
- Kashkanova, A.D., Shkarin, A.B., Mahmoodabadi, R.G., Blessing, M., Tuna, Y., Gemeinhardt, A., & Sandoghdar, V. (2021). Precision single-particle localization using radial variance transform. Optics Express, 27(9), 11070-11083. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.420670
- Küppers, M., Albrecht, D., Kashkanova, A., Lühr, J., & Sandoghdar, V. (2021). Label-free confocal iSCAT microscopy on live cells. In Optics InfoBase Conference Papers. Virtual, Online, USA: The Optical Society.
- Matsuzaki, K., Liu, H.W., Götzinger, S., & Sandoghdar, V. (2021). On Quantum Efficiency Measurements and Plasmonic Antennas. ACS Photonics. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsphotonics.1c00169
- Pscherer, A., Meierhofer, M., Wang, D., Kelkar, H., Martin-Cano, D., Utikal, T.,... Sandoghdar, V. (2021). Nonlinear optics with one molecule and two photons. In 2021 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics, CLEO 2021 - Proceedings. Virtual, Online, USA: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc..
- Pscherer, A., Meierhofer, M., Wang, D., Kelkar, H., Martín-Cano, D., Utikal, T.,... Sandoghdar, V. (2021). Single-Molecule Vacuum Rabi Splitting: Four-Wave Mixing and Optical Switching at the Single-Photon Level. Physical Review Letters, 127(13). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.133603
- Shkarin, A., Rattenbacher, D., Renger, J., Hönl, S., Utikal, T., Seidler, P.,... Sandoghdar, V. (2021). Nanoscopic Charge Fluctuations in a Gallium Phosphide Waveguide Measured by Single Molecules. Physical Review Letters, 126(13). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.133602
2020
- Alaee, R., Gurlek, B., Albooyeh, M., Martin-Cano, D., & Sandoghdar, V. (2020). Quantum Metamaterials with Magnetic Response at Optical Frequencies. Physical Review Letters, 125(6). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.125.063601
- Alaee, R., Safari, A., Sandoghdar, V., & Boyd, R.W. (2020). Kerker effect, superscattering, and scattering dark states in atomic antennas. Physical Review Research, 2(4). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.043409
- Cutler, T.F., Hamlyn, W.J., Renger, J., Whittaker, K.A., Pizzey, D., Hughes, I.G.,... Adams, C.S. (2020). Nanostructured Alkali-Metal Vapor Cells. Physical Review Applied, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevApplied.14.034054
- Gemeinhardt, A., König, K., Dahmardeh, M., & Sandoghdar, V. (2020). A high throughput device for label-free real-time study of cellular secretion with iSCAT microscopy. In Optics InfoBase Conference Papers. Washington, DC, US: OSA - The Optical Society.
- Küppers, M., Kashkanova, A., Lühr, J., Albrecht, D., Schambony, A., & Sandoghdar, V. (2020). Label-free live-cell imaging with interferometric scattering microscopy: Confocal imaging and high-speed 3D single particle tracking. In Optics InfoBase Conference Papers. Washington, DC, US: OSA - The Optical Society.
- Mahmoodabadi, R.G., Taylor, R.W., Kaller, M., Spindler, S., Mazaheri, M., Kasaian, K., & Sandoghdar, V. (2020). Point spread function in interferometric scattering microscopy (iSCAT). Part I: aberrations in defocusing and axial localization. Optics Express, 28(18), 25969-25988. https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.401374
- Mazaheri, M., Ehrig, J., Shkarin, A., Zaburdaev, V., & Sandoghdar, V. (2020). Ultrahigh-Speed Imaging of Rotational Diffusion on a Lipid Bilayer. Nano Letters, 20(10), 7213-7219. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c02516
- Mukamel, S., Freyberger, M., Schleich, W., Bellini, M., Zavatta, A., Leuchs, G.,... Laussy, F. (2020). Roadmap on quantum light spectroscopy. Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, 53(7). https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6455/ab69a8
- Reitz, M., Sommer, C., Gurlek, B., Sandoghdar, V., Martin-Cano, D., & Genes, C. (2020). Molecule-photon interactions in phononic environments. Physical Review Research, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.033270
- Sandoghdar, V. (2020). Nano-Optics in 2020 ± 20. Nano Letters. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c02199
- Schutz, S., Schachenmayer, J., Hagenmuller, D., Brennen, G.K., Volz, T., Sandoghdar, V.,... Pupillo, G. (2020). Ensemble-Induced Strong Light-Matter Coupling of a Single Quantum Emitter. Physical Review Letters, 124(11). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.124.113602
- Taylor, R.W., Holler, C., Mahmoodabadi, R.G., Küppers, M., Mirzaalian Dastjerdi, H., Zaburdaev, V.,... Sandoghdar, V. (2020). High-Precision Protein-Tracking With Interferometric Scattering Microscopy. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2020.590158
- Witkowska, A., Spindler, S., Mahmoodabadi, R.G., Sandoghdar, V., & Jahn, R. (2020). Differential Diffusional Properties in Loose and Tight Docking Prior to Membrane Fusion. Biophysical Journal. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2020.10.033
- Yang, B., Chen, G., Ghafoor, A., Zhang, Y., Zhang, Y., Zhang, Y.,... Hou, J.G. (2020). Sub-nanometre resolution in single-molecule photoluminescence imaging. Nature Photonics, 14(11), 693-699. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41566-020-0677-y
- Zirkelbach, J., Gmeiner, B., Renger, J., Tuerschmann, P., Utikal, T., Götzinger, S., & Sandoghdar, V. (2020). Partial Cloaking of a Gold Particle by a Single Molecule. Physical Review Letters, 125(10). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.125.103603