CAREER: Nano-plasmonic Scanning Probe and Microsystems for Controlled Genetic Perturbation

本研究的目的是将纳米光子学与微机电系统（MEMS）相结合，以了解受控扰动下基因表达的调控。该方法是开发基于发光扫描探头的光传输、聚焦和尖端实时成像平台。通过调节光强，可以通过纳米手术或微消融直接扰动亚细胞结构。通过集成近场扫描光学显微镜，可以实时观察摄动过程中活胚基因表达的演变。测量数据将为与不同扰动相关的基因表达电子文库奠定基础。这项研究将首次开发一种具有尖端光操纵、增强、探针驱动和传感以及近场成像功能的多功能微系统。干扰微环境是改变发育网络遗传成分的一种补充方法。利用纳米光子微系统以前所未有的精度，这项研究可以在理解对底物的稳健发展和工程至关重要的机制方面取得重大进展，从而指导具有可控遗传特征的生物体发育。该研究对非均质纳米系统的集成具有广阔的应用前景。它还将对生物医学产生深远的影响，以加强对环境引入的错误如何影响生物医学。基因的作用可能导致出生缺陷和癌症。该计划有多个完整的教育计划，包括开发纳米光子微系统的新教学模块，交叉培训设备工程前沿的生命科学学生；建立了什么？年轻的生物医学工程师？（y-BME）计划招收少数族裔和女性学生。

The objective of this research is to integrate nanophotonics with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to understand the regulation of gene expression under controlled perturbations. The approach is to develop luminous scanning probe-based platform for light transmission, concentration and live imaging at the tip. By adjusting the light intensity, one can directly perturb sub-cellular structures through nano-surgery or micro-ablation. Through the integrated near-field scanning optical microscopy, one can observe in real time the evolution of gene expression in live embryos during perturbation. The measurement data will set the foundation for an electronic library of gene expressions correlated to distinct perturbations. This research will develop, for the first time, a versatile microsystem with tip-light manipulation, enhancement, probe actuation and sensing, and near-field imaging functions. Perturbing the microenvironment is a complementary approach to modifying the genetic components of the developmental network. Using nanophotonic microsystems with unprecedented accuracy, this research can lead to significant advancement in the understanding of mechanisms crucial for robust development and engineering of substrates to guide organism development with controllable genetic characteristics. This research can be of broader use on integrating heterogeneous nanosystems. It will also have a profound impact on biomedicine to enhance understanding of how environment-introduced ?errors? in gene action may lead to birth defects and cancer. The program has multiple integral educational initiatives, including the development of new teaching modules on nanophotonic Microsystems, cross-training of life science students at the frontiers of device engineering; and the establishment of ?Young Biomedical Engineers?(y-BME) program to recruit minority and female students.