Microstructures for Experiments in Biology

主要研究者姓名，机构：托马斯肯尼，斯坦福大学提案编号：9980838提案标题：微机械结构在生物学实验项目摘要这个工程微系统的目标：“XYZ”在一个芯片上的项目是研究微机械结构的发展，用于进行生物测量。 当前微生物学中许多最有趣的问题都与分子和细胞结构的几何和功能有关。蛋白质折叠和细胞粘附的测量方法的解释存在很大争议，也为基于新测量方法的研究提供了巨大的机会。从机械工程的角度来看，生物折叠和粘附问题可以看作是一个简单的力和能量问题-所有这些都可以通过直接的机械手段来测量。由于分子生物学中作用的力很小--从纳牛顿到小于飞牛顿--实验问题变得复杂。然而，这些是可以用MEMS器件测量的力。我们建议专门研究实验来测量核糖体RNA的折叠力，配体受体结合力和细胞粘附力。在每种情况下，将设计新的微机械仪器并用于进行这些测量。这些实验将提供对这些基本生物相互作用的力学、动力学和其他特征的新理解。在整个工作过程中，研究将在工程和生物学之间的界面进行，带来来自这两个领域的兴奋和专业知识。工程专业的学生将学习基本的生物学现象。生物学学生将学习MEMS结构的设计和制造实验。他们将一起设计和进行新的基础实验，并学习重要的工程方法。从该计划中脱颖而出的学生将拥有独特的跨学科技能，适合在“生物工程”的新兴领域担任领导角色。该计划的主要目标是建立一个世界领先的生物测量微机械结构应用程序，以及世界领先的年轻科学家来源，他们在这些实验的问题和学科方面受到培训。

PI's Name, Institution: Thomas Kenny, Stanford University Proposal Number: 9980838 Proposal Title: Micromechanical Structures for Experiment in Biology Project Abstract The goal of this Engineering Microsystems: "XYZ" on a Chip project is to investigate development of micromechanical structures for use in conducting biological measurements. Many of the most interesting current problems in microbiology are related to the geometry and function of molecular and cellular structures. There is great controversy in the interpretation of measurements of protein folding and cellular adhesion, and also great opportunity for research based on new measurement approaches. Biological folding and adhesion problems may be viewed from a mechanical engineering perspective as a simple matter of forces and energies - all of which might be measured by direct mechanical means. Experimental matters are complicated by the small size of the forces at work in molecular biology - ranging from nano-Newtons to less than femto-Newtons. However, these are forces that can be measured with MEMS devices. We propose to look specifically at experiments to measure folding forces in ribosomal RNA, ligand receptor binding forces, and cellular adhesion forces. In each case, new micromechanical instrumentation will be designed and used to carry out these measurements. These experiments will provide new understanding of the mechanics, dynamics, and other characteristics of these fundamental biological interactions. Throughout this work, research will take place at the interface between engineering and biology, bringing excitement and expertise from both domains. Engineering students will learn about fundamental biological phenomena. Biology students will learn about the design and fabrication of MEMS structures for experiments. Together, they will design and carry out novel fundamental experiments and learn important engineering methods. Students emerging from this program will possess unique interdisciplinary skills suitable for leadership roles in the emerging area of "BioEngineering". Our primary goal for this program is to establish a world-leading program in the application of micromechanical structures for Biological measurements, and the world-leading source of young scientists trained in the issues and disciplines surrounding these experiments.