Collaborative Research: DNA Directed Deterministic Positioning of Nanophotonic Elements

在纳米尺度上系统地研究光子元件与确定性定位的相互作用对于以下方面非常重要：1）基本理解各种光子元件之间的潜在距离相关相互作用和能量传递; 2）提供有用的模型来理解自然界中存在的光子天线系统; 3）为构建人工生物光子系统提供关键信息，用于从光捕获到生物传感的应用。结构DNA纳米技术已经发展到可以通过合理的控制构建自组装的完全可寻址的DNA纳米阵列的阶段。现在可以以可编程的方式将金属颗粒和各种生物分子（蛋白质或肽或RNA/DNA序列）或功能分子（配体或荧光团）定位在DNA纳米支架上。我们的目标是利用结构DNA纳米技术中开发的确定性可寻址性的精致力量，结合理论模拟，通过系统地改变这些元素的位置，距离和几何形状，更好地了解连接在自组装DNA纳米结构上的纳米光子元素之间的相互作用。 具体来说，我们的目标是使用DNA定向自组装：（1）研究金属纳米颗粒和有机荧光团之间的距离依赖效应;（2）构建一个分子天线系统，用于有效的光捕获;（3）构建和理解荧光团之间的几何依赖能量转移。 一个强大的合作团队已经成立，将理论建模和实验专业知识结合在一起，以解决这些问题。智力优势：该提案既是技术驱动，也是问题驱动。自组装DNA纳米结构的使用提供了前所未有的机会，可以真正控制粒子和分子在二维和三维空间的排列。在分子水平上实现的复杂性模拟了自然界中存在的复杂性，远远超过了自上而下光刻方法的当前能力。这种方法将开辟一种可能性，将一个显着程度的复杂性和功能性的人工超分子系统，是完全自组装。因此，可以设计系统的实验来检验理论假设和模型。新的模型将考虑到许多实验参数所产生的确定性定位的光子elements.Broader影响：我们提出的研究将回答许多基本问题的光子元件如何相互作用在一个控制的方式与高度的复杂性。它将为能量相关的应用提供有用的信息，例如纳米颗粒和染料分子之间的能量转移，这将有助于和指导纳米技术在光能收集应用中的发展。它也为开发用于灵敏检测的生物传感元件提供了一个新的平台。有了这些更广泛的社会影响，这项研究自然会导致目前在ASU和UCF存在的本科生和研究生培训和推广计划的机会。例如，刘博士计划为高中教师提供暑期实习机会，帮助他们开发新的生物技术课程，并为高中生提供暑期研究机会，让他们接触大学实验室的前沿研究，以吸引优秀的高中生参与科学研究。这些努力与亚利桑那州立大学生物设计研究所的RET和SIP计划保持一致。 邹博士目前在他的研究小组中容纳了三名本科生。邹博士的小组还为高中生提供实习职位，以便他们为更高的学位教育做好准备。

CBET-0827681LiuSystematical study of photonic elements interactions with deterministic positioning at nanometer scale is very important for: 1) fundamental understanding of the underlying distance dependent interactions and energy transfer between various photonic elements; 2) providing useful models to understand photonic antenna systems existing in nature; 3) providing crucial information for constructing artificial biophotonic systems for applications ranging from light harvesting to biosensing. Structural DNA nanotechnology has developed to the stage that self-assembled fully addressable DNA nanoarrays can be constructed with rational control. It is now possible to position metallic particles and various biomolecules (proteins or peptides or RNA/DNA sequences) or functional molecules (ligands or fluorophores) on DNA nanoscaffolds in a programmable fashion. Our goal here is to utilize the exquisite power of the deterministic addressability developed in the structural DNA nanotechnology in connection with theoretical simulations to have a better understanding of the interactions between nanophotonic elements linked on the self-assembled DNA nanostructures by systematically varying the position, distance and geometry of these elements. Specifically, we aim to use DNA directed self-assembly to: (1) study distance dependent effects between metallic nanoparticles and organic fluorophores; (2) construct a molecular antenna system for efficient light harvesting; (3) construct and understand geometry dependent energy transfers between fluorophores. A strong collaborative team has been established that aligns theoretical modeling and experimental expertise together to address these questions.Intellectual merit: This proposal is both technology and problem driven. The use of selfassembling DNA nanostructures provides unprecedented opportunities to have a true control over spatial arrangements of particles and molecules in two and three dimensions. The complexity achieved at molecular level mimics what exist in nature and far exceeds the current capabilities of top-down lithographic approach. This approach will open up the possibility of incorporating a remarkable degree of complexity and functionality into an artificial supra-molecular system that is entirely self-assembled. As a result, systematic experiments can be designed to test theoretical hypothesis and modeling. New models will be developed by taking into account of many experimental parameters resulting from the deterministic positioning of photonic elements.Broader Impact: Our proposed research will answer many fundamental questions of how photonic elements interact with each other in a controlled fashion with a high degree of complexity. It will offer useful information for energy related applications, such as energy transfer between nanoparticles and dye molecules, which will help and guide the development of nanotechnology in the applications of light energy harvesting. It also provides a novel platform to develope biosensing elements for sensitive detection. With these broader societal implications, this research naturally leads to opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students training and outreach programs currently existing at both ASU and UCF. For example, Dr. Liu plans to offer summer internships to high school teachers to help them to develop new biotechnology curricula and summer research opportunities for high school students to expose them to the cutting edge research happening in a University lab to attract excellent high school students into science research. These efforts are in align with the RET and SIP program of Biodesign Institute at ASU. Dr. Zou is currently accommodating three undergraduate students in his research group. Dr. Zou's group also offers internship positions for high school students so that they may be well prepared for their higher degree educations.