NIRT: Biomolecular-Scale Nanofabrication for Investigation of Signaling, Motility, and Motor Protein Complexes

该提案是响应纳米尺度科学与工程计划，NSF 04-043，类别NIRT而收到的。这个纳米级跨学科研究团队（NIRT）项目将创建纳米制造的、生物功能化的阵列，以研究生化系统中空间秩序和功能之间的基本关系。这些“纳米级生物阵列”将使用尖端的纳米制造技术来制造，以允许在分子尺度上（即几到几十纳米）研究结构-功能关系。该阵列将分层组织，单位细胞（包括一个或多个生物功能化的2-10纳米金属点）组织成微米大小的区域，并在毫米大小的区域中形成图案。每个区域将包括相同的单元细胞，并且单元细胞的几何形状将系统地从区域变化到区域，以便允许在微米尺度上进行直接的分析技术。纳米级生物阵列技术将应用于三个生物学研究：1、研究大细胞骨架蛋白的结合对配体空间排列的依赖；2、细胞质动力蛋白分子排序对微管依赖性运动影响的研究；3、蛋白质晶体的播种。智力优势：该项目试图突破纳米制造技术的极限，以便与生物系统相结合。它将采用“自上而下”的方法来研究和控制这些系统的“自下而上”的组装、功能和综合。每个子项目将使用纳米制造技术来扩展现有技术允许的生物问题或问题。该项目围绕一个中心主题和制造技术进行组织，这将允许快速的技术发展。该项目的研究和教育主题是“纳米级生物系统”。更广泛的影响：本项目将产生许多更广泛的影响。利用固态纳米制造技术解决生物和化学问题的进展，将增强研究基础设施，从而影响生物科学领域，而不仅仅是基于细胞骨架的运动或蛋白质结晶。在培训中的年轻科学家在这种跨学科环境中的参与将促进培养一批具有必要知识和文化与技术技能的未来科学家骨干，以成功地追求新的多学科科学和技术。本科生也将参与这项研究，其中包括来自纽约市地区少数族裔学生较多的院校的学生。首席研究员将利用他作为纽约市公立高中教师的经验，扩展到K-12水平。

This proposal was received in response to Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF 04-043, category NIRT.This Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Team (NIRT) project will create nanofabricated, biofunctionalized arrays to study the fundamental relationship between spatial order and function in biochemical systems. These 'nanoscale bioarrays' will be fabricated using leading edge nanofabrication technology to allow investigation of structure-function relationships on the molecular scale, i.e. a few to tens of nanometers. The arrays will be organized hierarchically, with unit cells (comprising one or more biofunctionalized 2-10 nm metal dots) organized into micron-sized domains, and patterned in mm-size areas. Each domain will comprise identical unit cells, and the unit cell geometry will be systematically varied from domain to domain, in order to allow for straightforward assay techniques on the micron scale. The nanoscale bioarray technique will be applied to three biological investigations: 1, the study of the dependence of binding of large cytoskeletal proteins on the spatial arrangement of ligands; 2, the study of the effect of ordering cytoplasmic dynein molecules on microtubule-dependent motility; 3, the seeding of protein crystals.Intellectual Merit:This project attempts to push the limits of nanofabrication technology in order to interface with biological systems. It will employ a "top-down" approach to study and control "bottom-up" assembly, function and synthesis of these systems. Each sub-project will use nanofabrication technology to extend a biological question or problem beyond where currently available techniques will allow. The project is organized around a central theme and fabrication technique, which will allow for rapid technology development. The project addresses the research and education theme "Biosystems at the Nanoscale."Broader Impacts:This project will have many broader impacts. The advances in the use of solid-state nanofabrication to address biological and chemical problems will enhance research infrastructure in ways that will impact areas of biological science beyond just cytoskeleton-based motility or protein crystallization. The participation of young scientists-in-training in this interdisciplinary environment will foster development of a cadre of future scientists with the necessary knowledge and cultural and technical skills to successfully pursue novel multidisciplinary science and technology. Undergraduate students will also participate in the research, including students drawn from institutions in the New York City area with significant minority enrollment. The Principal Investigator will draw on his experience as a New York City public high school teacher to extend outreach to the K-12 level.