Fluid Sensors from Hybrid Nanocolloids with Molecular Springs

本研究的目的是建立一种发光波长依赖于分析物浓度的新型生物传感器。 这种全新类型的生物传感器将类似于石蕊纸pH测试，可靠和简单。 生物分子的分析通常在混浊和不均匀的介质中进行，如组织，导致强度的强烈波动。 波长转换可能是在这种条件下唯一可靠的传感方法。 该方法是通过与抗体结合的聚乙二醇低聚物连接的纳米颗粒-纳米线超结构来设计此类传感器。 蛋白质的结合导致纳米线和纳米颗粒之间的差距的变化，并因此导致发射波长的变化。该项目的智力价值将是（1）基于发射能量（而不是强度）的生物传感器的开发和（2）理解纳米颗粒和纳米线之间的相互作用规则。该项目的更广泛影响是微流体和生物传感领域的技术，这将导致新的强效药物和新的诊断工具的开发。 拟议中的设备还将有助于进行更复杂的水质控制，并为生物医学研究提供新的工具。 此外，该项目还与初中/高中学生的传感器研究相关，并使他们接触到迷人的纳米技术世界。 这两个PI都有长期的K-12学生志愿者外展工作记录。

The objective of this research is to create a new type of biosensor with luminescence wavelength dependent on analyte concentration. This fundamentally new type of biosensor will be analogous to the litmus paper pH test know for reliable and simplicity. Analysis of biomolecules often carried out in turbid and heterogeneous media, such as tissue, causing strong fluctuations of intensity. Wavelength transduction can be the only dependable method of sensing in such conditions. The approach is to engineer such sensors from nanoparticles-nanowire superstructures connected by polyethylene glycole oligomers bound to an antibody. Binding of a protein results in the change in the gap between the nanowire and nanoparticles, and therefore, in the change of the emission wavelength. Intellectual Merit of this project will be the (1) development of biosensors based on energy of emission (not intensity) and (2) understanding the rules of interactions between the nanoparticles and nanowires. Broader impact of this project is an enabling technology for the fields of microfluidics and biosensing, which will lead to the development of new potent drugs and new diagnostic tools. The proposed devices will also help to carry out more sophisticated water quality control, and new tools for biomedical research. Additionally, the project has educational efforts associated with the sensor research with middle/high school students and exposing them to the fascinating world of nanotechnology. Both PIs have a long record of volunteer outreach work with K-12 students.