Collaborative Research: DNA Directed Deterministic Positioning of Nanophotonic Elements

在纳米尺度上系统地研究具有确定性定位的光子元件相互作用，对于：1)从根本上理解各种光子元件之间的距离依赖相互作用和能量传递是非常重要的；2)为理解自然界中存在的光子天线系统提供有用的模型；3)为构建从光采集到生物传感等应用领域的人工生物光子系统提供重要信息。结构DNA纳米技术已经发展到可以在合理控制下构建自组装的完全可寻址DNA纳米阵列的阶段。现在可以以可编程的方式在DNA纳米支架上定位金属颗粒和各种生物分子（蛋白质或多肽或RNA/DNA序列）或功能分子（配体或荧光团）。我们的目标是利用结构DNA纳米技术中发展起来的确定性寻址能力，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，更好地理解连接在自组装DNA纳米结构上的纳米光子元素之间的相互作用。具体来说，我们的目标是利用DNA定向自组装：(1)研究金属纳米颗粒与有机荧光团之间的距离依赖效应；(2)构建高效光采集的分子天线系统；(3)构建和理解几何依赖于荧光团之间的能量转移。已经建立了一个强大的协作团队，将理论建模和实验专业知识结合在一起来解决这些问题。智力优势：这个建议是由技术和问题驱动的。自组装DNA纳米结构的使用为在二维和三维空间中真正控制粒子和分子的空间排列提供了前所未有的机会。在分子水平上实现的复杂性模仿了自然界中存在的东西，远远超过了目前自上而下的平版印刷方法的能力。这种方法将开启一种可能性，将高度的复杂性和功能整合到一个完全自组装的人工超分子系统中。因此，可以设计系统的实验来检验理论假设和模型。新的模型将考虑到光子元素的确定性定位所产生的许多实验参数。更广泛的影响：我们提出的研究将回答光子元素如何在高度复杂的受控方式下相互作用的许多基本问题。它将为能量相关的应用提供有用的信息，例如纳米粒子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，这项研究自然会为本科生和研究生提供培训和推广项目的机会，这些项目目前都存在于亚利桑那州立大学和加州大学旧金山分校。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；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。邹博士的研究小组目前有三名本科生。邹博士的团队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充分的准备。

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.