CAREER: A Micro SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance) Sensor with Integrated Microfluidic Components for In-Situ Monitoring of Biomolecular Activities

拟议的职业生涯计划的主要目标是从事和教育本科生和研究生在高度多学科的生物MEMS研究领域，通过整合课程开发和实验研究源于微SPR具有集成微流体组件的（表面等离子体共振）传感器，其应用于SPR传感器已经成为表征各种生物分子相互作用的有力工具，包括抗体-抗原结合，DNA杂交，蛋白质-DNA和蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用。拟议的工作将提供：（a）知识和工具，用于理解微光学/微流体和工艺变量的微SPR传感器和（B）研究经验，以学生谁将探索跨学科的BioMEMS科目的微加工设计参数。微型SPR传感器将为微型阵列型SPR传感器开辟新的可能性。在这个CAREER计划中，将通过课程开发和推广来涵盖和传播跨学科主题。计划与一个非营利组织（奥兰多科学中心）、一所当地高中（大学高中）和一个校园组织（UCF女工程师协会）一起为K-12学生、教师和代表性不足的群体开展教育宣传。将为年轻受众开发基于Flash动画的在线内容，以克服地域限制，最大限度地扩大教育影响。

The main objective of the proposed CAREER program is to engage and educate undergraduate and graduate students in the field of highly multidisciplinary BioMEMS research through integration of course development and experimental investigation stemming from micro SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance) sensor with integrated microfluidic components of which application is in-situ monitoring of biomolecular activities.The SPR sensor has been emerging as a powerful tool to characterize various biomolecular interactions including antibody-antigen binding, DNA hybridization, protein-DNA and protein-protein interactions. The proposed work will provide: (a) knowledge and tools for understanding design parameters in microoptics/ microfluidics and process variables in micromachining for the micro SPR sensor and (b) research experience to students who will explore interdisciplinary BioMEMS subjects. The micro SPR sensor will open new possibilities for miniaturized array type SPR sensors.In this CAREER program, interdisciplinary subjects will be covered and disseminated through course development and outreach. Educational outreach for K-12 students, teachers and underrepresented groups is planned with a non-profit organization (Orlando Science Center), a local high school (University High School) and an on-campus organization (UCF Society for Women Engineers). Flash-animation based online content will be developed for younger audiences to overcome geographical limitations and to maximize educational impact.