Biophotonics: Collaborative Research: Photoactivated Coupling of Nanoparticle Multilayers and Nerve Cells

纳米技术和生物工程的最新进展为促进电子、光学和生物系统的直接相互作用开辟了令人兴奋的前景。在神经科学和假体等医疗器械领域实现这一目标的主要障碍是对活的神经元和纳米材料之间耦合所涉及的分子过程认识不足，以及如何优化人造材料和生命系统之间的耦合。本项目的目的是在由纳米颗粒和培养的神经细胞组成的薄膜组成的模型系统中研究生物/无生命物质相互作用的动力学和机制。多学科、多机构的“联合协作建议”汇集了几个具有广泛专业知识和研究兴趣的研究小组，进行实验和理论研究，旨在表征纳米材料与神经元界面上发生的相互作用，并优化界面，以便在光子探测附着在细胞上的纳米材料界面后有效地激活神经元。由科托夫博士领导的俄克拉荷马州立大学的合作伙伴将开展该项目的材料科学方面的工作，而由莫塔梅迪博士领导的德克萨斯大学医学部的调查将集中在这项工作的生物工程和电生理组件上。具体而言，该项目的目标如下。(1)可附着于神经细胞的生物相容性纳米多层膜的制备。(2)记录和表征作为NP和生物结构的函数的光激发界面后的光诱导神经细胞膜电流和电位。(3)针对不同界面结构的NP-细胞耦合优化。

0119483KotovRecent advances in nanotechnology and bioengineering have opened the exciting prospect for promoting direct interaction of electronics, optics and biological systems. The primary obstacle to realizing this goal in the fields of neuroscience and medical devices such as prostheses is the inadequate understanding of the molecular processes involved in coupling between living neurons and nanomaterials, and how to optimize the coupling between man made materials and living systems. In this project, the intent is to investigate the dynamics and mechanisms of the live/lifeless matter interaction in a model system consisting of a thin film composed of nanoparticles and cultured nerve cells. The multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional "Linked Collaborative Proposals " bring together several research groups with broad expertise and research interest to conduct experimental and theoretical studies aimed at characterizing the interaction that occur at the interface of nanomaterials and neurons and optimizing the interface for effective photon-activation of neurons following photonic probing of the interface of nanomaterials that are attached to the cells. The partners at Oklahoma State University lead by Dr. Kotov will carry out the materials science aspect of this project, while the investigation at the University of Texas Medical Branch lead by Dr. Motamedi will concentrate on the bioengineering and electrophysiological components of this work. Specifically, the objectives of the proje ct are the following. (1) Preparation of biocompatible nanoparticle multilayers that can be attached to nerve cells. (2) Registration and characterization of the photoinduced nerve cell membrane currents and potentials following optical excitation of the interface as function of NP and biological structures. (3) Optimization of NP-cell coupling for different interface structure.