NSF/CONACyT: Ultrasound Stimulated Reactions With Quantum Dots for Luminescent Biomarkers

该计划满足了对创新解决方案的基本需求，该解决方案旨在开发一种新的工艺，用于在平板衬底上超声刺激沉积纳米颗粒或量子点(QD)，例如用于早期癌症检测的生物标记发光面板。这项研究的目的是通过提高量子点的发光效率和改进面板的制作方法来改善生物标记面板的性能。这项工作将集中在利用超声处理(UST)应用于新一代发光纳米颗粒的实验方法的关键方面，该纳米颗粒的光学性质可由颗粒尺寸、形状和表面控制。量子点在生物医学方面的应用前景非常广阔，因为它们在稳定性、颜色稳定性和易控性方面比传统的有机染料具有优势。UST将被用来(A)通过在沉积到平板衬底上时施加超声波来致密和均匀分布生物连接的量子点，(B)通过提高发光效率来完成纳米颗粒材料本身的缺陷工程，以及(C)调整纳米颗粒的尺寸和尺寸分布。该计划完成后，将在使用超声波的癌症预防研究和临床中受益并促进最先进的纳米制造方法。该项目是南佛罗里达大学(USF，Sergei Ostapenko)、加州大学圣克鲁斯分校(UCSC，张进)和墨西哥国家理工学院(NPI，Tetana V.Torchynska)研究团队之间的NSF-CONACyT合作项目。USF团队(S.Ostapenko)提供基于电子材料/设备的超声波处理的实验方法方面的途径和专业知识。获得专利的UST仪器无法在商业上获得，它提供了一种最先进的研究工具。张博士(UCSC)一直积极参与掺杂和非掺杂半导体纳米粒子的合成、表征和生物医学应用的开发。墨西哥的这个团队在发光纳米材料的理论建模和诊断方面经验丰富，包括量子点、量子线和纳米晶体。该计划将对大学和社会产生更广泛的影响。它将有助于进一步发展大学基础设施，以实现在纳米制造方面建立强大的研究计划的目标。该计划的特点是，通过莫菲特癌症中心的研究人员的参与，学术界(美国和墨西哥)的研究人员以及生物和医学专业人员之间进行国际和跨学科合作。NSF-CONACyT计划内的研究人员和研究生的交流将有力地促进先进知识的相互转移，并促进学生的培训和教育。计划让本科生大力参与该项目，特别是女性和代表性不足的少数族裔。大学最近建立了一种机制，让高中教师和K-12学生参与到教师研究体验(RET)和GK-12项目的实验室中进行的研究。预计将在参与机构之间进行实验方法的后续转让。将在相关期刊和会议记录上提交联合出版物，包括NSF受赠者会议。

The program addresses fundamental needs for an innovative solution to developing a new process for ultrasonically stimulated deposition of nanoparticles or quantum dots (QDs) on flat substrates such as bio-marker luminescent panels for early cancer detection. The objective of the proposed research is to improve the performance of bio-marker panels by increasing the luminous efficiency of the QDs and enhancing the methods for panel fabrication. The work will focus on the key aspects of the experimental approach utilizing ultrasound treatment (UST) applied to a new generation of luminescence nanoparticles with optical properties controlled by the particle size, shape, and surface. QDs are highly promising for biomedical application because of the advantages they offer over conventional organic dyes in terms stability, color tenability, and ease of control. UST will be used (a) to densify and homogeneously distribute the bio-conjugated QDs by applying ultrasound during deposition onto the flat substrates, (b) to accomplish defect engineering of nanoparticle material itself by enhancing luminous efficiency, and (c) to adjust the size and size distribution of nanoparticles. Upon completion, the program will benefit and promote state-of-the-art nano-manufacturing approach in cancer prevention research and clinics using ultrasound. The project is designed as an NSF-CONACyT collaborative program between research teams University of South Florida (USF, Sergei Ostapenko), University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC, Jin Z. Zhang) and National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico (NPI, Tetyana V. Torchynska). The USF team (S. Ostapenko) offers access and expertise in experimental methodology based on the ultrasound processing of electronic materials/devices. The patented UST apparatus is not available commercially and presents a state-of-the-art research tool. Dr. Zhang (UCSC) has been actively involved in the synthesis, characterization, and exploitation of applications of doped and undoped semiconductor nanoparticles for biomedical applications. The group in Mexico is experienced in theoretical modeling and diagnostics of luminescent nanomaterials including quantum dots, quantum wires, and nanocrystals.The program will have broader impact to universities and society. It will assist in further developing the university infrastructure toward a goal of building a strong research program in nano-manufacturing. The program features international and interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers in academia (USA and Mexico) and professionals in biology and medicine through participation of researchers in Moffitt Cancer Center. The exchange of research personnel and graduate students within the NSF-CONACyT program will strongly facilitate mutual transfer of advanced knowledge and promote student training and education. Strong undergraduate student involvement in the project is planned, particularly women and underrepresented minorities. Universities have recently established a mechanism to involve high-school teachers and K-12 students to the research performed in the labs within Research Experience for Teachers (RET) and GK-12 programs. A follow-up transfer of experimental methods among the participating institutions is anticipated. Joint publications in referred journals and conference proceedings will be submitted, including NSF grantees' conference.