Dr Lynn Dennany

Qualifications:

BSc (Hons) in Analytical Science, Dublin City University
PhD Physical Chemistry DCU

Research interests:

My postgraduate work focused on the development of DNA toxicity screening sensors utilising electrochemiluminescence (ECL) produced from luminescent metallopolymers, namely ruthenium and osmium containing polymers. Electrodes modified with thin films containing one or both of the redox polymers and DNA were used for dual amperometric and electrochemiluminescent detection of DNA damage, either by the formation of adducts by chemically generated damage or oxidative DNA damage, for use as a toxicity screening sensor. This system provides fast and accurate responses to the production of DNA adducts, which cause disruption of the DNA helical structure and to oxidative DNA damage in comparison to the methods already in use. The combined amperometric and electrochemiluminescent detection provided a more sensitive and selective sensor for this type of analysis. Immobilisation of the chemiluminescent reagent has a number of advantages over solution-phase ECL-based systems; conserves reagent, is simpler and more cost effective and has an additional level of selectivity. It also allowed for the utilisation of thin films containing both the redox polymers and DNA, which resulted in quick easy analysis of potential toxins. This work was carried out in collaboration with Prof. James Rusling in the University of Connecticut.

Following on from this, my work concentrated on improving the current ECL systems by synthesising new metallopolymers containing conjugated or conducting backbones or incorporating gold nanoparticles into the sensor design to amplify the ECL signal. This amplification should result in more sensitive and selective detection systems. Investigations into utilising other metal centres may also allow for the detection of several different types of DNA damage detection, increasing the applicability of the sensor. Photoinduced electron transfer rates from the ruthenium metal centres to the inherently conducting polymer backbones was also examined utilising Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and the implications of introducing nano-structured features was investigated during my time at the IPRI.

Currently, I am researching photovoltaic device fabrication using organic materials and polymers, testing and optimisation of these devices and advanced material characterisation.

Memberships:

Associate member of Royal Society of Chemistry (A.M.R.S.C.),
Associate member of American Chemical Society (A.M.A.C.S.),
Member of the Electrochemical Society (M.E.C.S).

5 key publications:

The Influence of Poly(2-Methoxyaniline-5-sulfonic acid) on the Electrochemical and Photochemical Properties of a Highly Luminescent Ruthenium Complex, L. Dennany, E.J. O’Reilly, P.C. Innis, G.G. Wallace and R.J. Forster. Electrochimica Acta, 2008, 53(13), 4599-4605.
Surface Confinement and its Effects on the Luminescence Quenching of a Ruthenium Containing Metallopolymer, L. Dennany, T.E. Keyes, R.J. Forster. The Analyst. 2008 In press DOI: 10.1039/b718505g
Electrochemiluminescenct monolayers on metal oxide electrodes: Detection of amino acids. L. Dennany, E.J. O’Reilly, T. Keyes, R.J. Forster. Electrochem. Comm. 2006, 8, 1588-1594.
Effect of surface immobilisation on the electrochemiluminescence of ruthenium containing metallopolymer. L. Dennany, C. Hogan, T. Keyes, R.J. Forster. Anal. Chem. 2006, 78, 1412-1417.
Direct electrochemiluminescence detection of oxidized DNA in ultrathin films containing [Os(bpy)2(PVP)10]2+. L. Dennany, R. J. Forster, B. White, M. R. Smyth, J. F. Rusling. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2004, 126 (28), 8835 - 8841.

email address: lynnd@uow.edu.au
phone number :+6 2 42214351
office number: 41A. 267A