Biomolecular Materials: Structure, Phase Behavior and Interactions

这个项目研究由生物聚合物组成的生物分子材料的性质(例如，DNA；细胞细胞骨架的组件，由丝状蛋白质组成：微管、中间丝和丝状肌动蛋白)与相反电荷的化学物种，如多价反离子凝聚在一起。这些材料是聚电解质统计理论的有用模型。例如，这些研究应该阐明体内DNA凝聚过程中分子作用力的性质(即DNA包装问题)。该项目在一个多样化的跨学科项目中为研究生提供了出色的培训，使他们能够获得目前工业、国家实验室和大学非常需要的技能。先进的微型化材料将由生物分子在图案化的表面上自组装而成。生物-半导体杂化材料在下个世纪应该被用于制药、生物医学和半导体行业，重点是微型化材料(例如纳米导管和纳米线)。这个项目为研究生提供了极好的研究和教育机会，该项目是一个多样化的跨学科专业，重点是生物分子材料，特别是在有图案的表面上自组装的生物材料。这些加工材料的潜在用途包括化学和生物传感器、微机械元件和分子筛。研究生将获得目前在广泛的行业中非常需要的技能，包括那些将纳米级制造系统与化学、制药和生物技术以及半导体中的生物分子材料相结合的技能。他们将在斯坦福大学和阿贡国家实验室的国家同步加速器设施中接受最先进的技术培训，包括制备生物分子自组装的方法，在半导体表面制造微米和纳米级图案，使用原子力显微镜和光学显微镜直接成像，以及使用定量x射线衍射方法进行结构测量。

9972246SafinyaThis project investigates the properties of biomolecular materials consisting of biological polymers (e.g. DNA; components of the cell cytoskeleton which consists of the filamental proteins: microtubules, intermediate filaments, and filamental-actin) condensed with oppositely charged chemical species such as multivalent counter-ions. These materials are useful models for statistical theories of polyelectrolytes. For example, the studies should shed light on the nature of the molecular forces in the condensation of DNA in vivo (i.e. the DNA packing problem). The project provides excellent training for graduate students within a diverse, interdisciplinary program enabling them to acquire skills that are currently in great demand in Industry, National Laboratories, and Universities. Advanced miniaturized materials will be produced from biological molecules self-assembled on patterned surfaces. The biological-semiconductor hybrid materials should be utilized in the next century in pharmaceutical, biomedical, and semiconductor industries emphasizing miniaturized materials (e.g. nano-conduits and nano-wires).%%%This project offers excellent research and education opportunities for graduate students within a diverse, interdisciplinary program, focused on biomolecular materials, in particulal biological materials that self-assembled on patterned surfaces. Potential uses of these processed materials include chemical and biological sensors, micro-machine elements, and molecular sieves. The graduate students will acquire skills that are currently in great demand in a broad range of industries including those which combine nanometer scale fabrication systems with biomolecular materials in chemicals, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, and semiconductors. They will be trained in state-of the-art techniques which include, methods for preparing biomolecular self-assemblies, fabrication of micron and nanometer scale patterns on semiconducting surfaces, direct imaging with Atomic Force Microscopes and optical light microscopes, and structural measurements using quantitative x-ray diffraction methods at the National Synchrotron Facilities at Stanford and Argonne National Laboratories.***