Surface Functionalized Nanoparticles for Enrichment and Detection of Trace Analytes

北达科他州主校区大学的Julia Xiaojun Zhao教授得到了化学系分析和表面化学项目的支持，进行研究，重点是开发基于纳米颗粒的荧光传感器，用于分析细胞样品中的痕量目标。 赵教授将制造功能性纳米粒子，其具有二氧化硅核心和有机改性表面，在与目标离子结合时从非荧光切换到高荧光。 该项目的目标是开发多功能纳米材料，在复杂生物基质中的痕量分析物的分析中同时发挥多种作用。该研究计划将把测量科学与目前生物研究前沿的问题结合起来，并将作为跨学科教育的理想平台。它将为希望在化学和生物学界面工作的学员提供一个极好的教育机会。除了她的研究活动之外，赵教授还将在北达科他州大学开展和监督一项外联活动，旨在增加美国原住民对化学研究的参与。

Professor Julia Xiaojun Zhao of the University of North Dakota Main Campus is supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program in the Division of Chemistry to conduct research that focuses on the development of nanoparticle-based fluorescence sensors for the analysis of trace targets in cellular samples. Professor Zhao will fabricate functional nanoparticles, which have silica cores and organic modified surfaces that switch from non-fluorescent to highly fluorescent upon binding to target ions. The goal of this project is to develop multi-functional nanomaterials that will serve several simultaneous roles in the analysis of trace analytes in complex biological matrices.The research program will integrate measurement science with problems that are currently at the frontier of biological research and will serve as an ideal platform for inter-disciplinary education. It will provide an excellent educational opportunity for trainees desiring work at the interface of chemistry and biology. In addition to her research activities Prof. Zhao will also develop and supervise an outreach activity at the University of North Dakota aiming to increase participation of Native Americans in chemical research.