Integrated motor protein-based nano-devices for biomolecular transport

利用马达蛋白的运动来运输生物分子需要定向控制。马达蛋白质的化学-机械能转换是高效的，一旦实现定向控制，就可以实现从输送、组装、分类和检测到微/纳米发动机和能量传递的广泛应用，从而实现全新一代混合生物装置。这一努力是为了开发一种方法学，将特定蛋白质从一个位置运输到目标位置，以便进一步操纵以用于安全、健康或环境应用。要开发的一般方法是基于无机衬底上的功能化微/纳米尺寸图案化路径。微图案化将随着局部流场的发展而发展，以在选定的表面上排列和排列F-肌动蛋白，其中一个结构极性附着在衬底上。这种方法将使肌球蛋白包裹的穿梭颗粒(如珠子、纳米线和纳米管)单向移动，特定的货物可以在其中捆绑和运输。智力优势：了解和有能力开发纳米级的运输系统是至关重要的，并将使探索和设计这一新前沿的能力成为可能。这项拟议的研究旨在开发适合于由马达蛋白质推动的货物运输的运输系统。工程途径将通过肌动蛋白的定向组装、选择性分子微图案化和光反应聚合物合成来完成。通过这项研究将获得的知识包括特定流场的生成和混合装置的集成。通过这项工作获得的更广泛的理解将为未来自主运输和驱动系统的应用奠定基础，无论是生物还是合成的纳米级自然界。更广泛的影响：拟议的研究工作寻求建立由微电子/芯片环境中的纳米级生物分子马达驱动的货物运输的基本框架。这项拟议的工作将研究用于运输目的的纳米路径和轨道的基本特性。考虑到混合纳米系统中不可避免的电气和生物成分的集成，在微/纳米轨道运动性分析中获得的关于蛋白质-珠子-货物-肌球蛋白穿梭系统与其生存能力之间的关系的知识，对除这一基础研究之外的广泛领域的研究具有价值。这项工作有望对工程、生理和生物学研究产生影响，作为生理分子运输的工作模型。与纳米技术的前景相关的一个挑战是培训支持其进步和实施所需的劳动力。这种培训固有的跨学科性质在传统的以学科为基础的学术项目中没有得到很好的解决。该计划的活动提供了整合学生在不同领域的教育经验的机会，包括微制造、生物化学、纳米技术、微流体、物理和化学。该项目的教育推广计划将通过向高中生和新生介绍实验室的尖端研究，并通过为本科生研究人员，特别是包括女性和少数族裔在内的代表性不足的群体，提供在最先进的环境中进行尖端、真正的研究的机会，从而激励下一代跨学科科学家。

Harnessing the motion of motor proteins for transporting biomolecules requires directional control. The chemo-mechanical energy conversion of motor proteins is highly efficient and once directional control is achieved, a broad range of applications from delivery, assembly, sorting and detection to micro/nano-engines and energy transduction can be realized for a whole new generation of hybrid bio-devices. The effort is to develop a methodology that will have applicability on the transport of specific proteins from one location to a targeted location for further manipulation for security, health or environmental applications. The general approach to be developed is based on functionalized micro/nano-sized patterning pathways on an inorganic substrate. Micro-patterning will be developed along with localized flow fields to arrange and align F-actin on selected surfaces with one structural polarity attached to the substrate. This approach will give unidirectional movement of myosin coated shuttle particles such as beads, nanowires and nanotubes, where specific cargo can be bound and transported.Intellectual merit: The understanding and ability to develop transportation systems at nano-scale is of paramount importance and will enable the capability to explore and engineer this new frontier. The proposed research aims to develop transport systems suitable for cargo delivery which are propelled by motor proteins. Engineered pathways will be accomplished by means of orientated assembly of actin protein, selective molecular micropatterning and photoreactive polymer synthesis. The knowledge to be gained through this research includes generation of specific flow fields and hybrid device integration. The broader understanding gained through this work will lay foundation for the future applications of autonomous transport and actuation systems, whether biological or synthetic in nature at nano-scale. Broader impact: The proposed research effort seeks to establish the underlying framework for cargo transport powered by nano-scale biomolecular motors from within a microelectronic/chip environment. The proposed work will examine fundamental properties of nano pathways and tracks for transport purposes. Given the inevitable integration of electrical and biological components in hybrid nano-systems, the knowledge gained about the relationship between the protein-bead-cargo-myosin shuttle system in micro/nano-tracks motility assays and their viability, is valuable to a wide range of research fields beyond this fundamental study. This work is anticipated to have an impact on engineering, physiological and biological research, as a working model of physiological molecular transport. A challenge associated with the promise of nanotechnology is training the workforce needed to support its advancement and implementation. The inherent interdisciplinary nature of this training is not well addressed by traditional academic, discipline-based programs. The activities of this proposal offer opportunities for integrating students' educational experience across diverse areas including microfabrication, biochemistry, nanotechnology, microfluidics, physics, and chemistry. The educational outreach program of this project will serve to motivate the next generation of cross-disciplinary scientists by introducing high school students and freshmen to cutting edge research in laboratories, and by providing undergraduate researchers, especially underrepresented groups including women and minorities, the opportunity to conduct cutting edge, genuine research in a state-of-the-art setting.