Nebraska 2010-15 RII Project: Nanohybrid Materials & Algal Biology

提案编号：EPS-1004094提案标题：内布拉斯加州2010-15 RII项目：纳米混合材料&藻类生物学机构：内布拉斯加大学该项目通过利用内布拉斯加州在纳米材料和藻类生物学方面的核心优势，投资于两个具有地方和国家重要性的独立研究领域。它建议建立两个跨学科的卓越研究中心：纳米混合功能材料中心和内布拉斯加州藻类生物学和生物技术中心。这些中心预计将汇集来自七个学科的29名教师的专业知识，以合作解决重要的基础科学问题，这些问题也与国家和NSF在纳米科学和能源方面的优先事项保持一致。项目？的参与机构包括：内布拉斯加大学林肯分校、克雷顿大学、多恩学院、内布拉斯加大学科尔尼分校、内布拉斯加大学医学中心、小牧师部落学院和内布拉斯加印第安社区学院。学术价值纳米杂化中心提出追求纳米杂化材料的新传感原理，该纳米杂化材料将联合收割机分子尺度识别元件（如DNA、染料或适体）与由3D有序纳米结构组成的支架相结合。新的混合材料预计将具有独特的化学和物理性能。这些新功能可能会为健康诊断、环境监测和家庭安全等领域的应用提供前所未有的潜力。藻类具有巨大的潜力，可以在无法生产粮食作物的土地上提供大量的脂质生物燃料。藻类用于生物燃料的商业用途尚未实现，因为对调节藻类生长及其积累脂质的能力的遗传和生化因素的了解有限。藻类中心将通过对藻类的生物学和新陈代谢进行基础研究来解决这一障碍。今天可用的藻类只展示了其基因组中的一小部分遗传潜力，并且基本藻类生物学的知识非常有限。通过为科学家，工程师和私营行业合作伙伴提供合作机会，该项目建议大幅推进纳米混合材料和藻类生物学和生物技术领域的知识基础。这些领域的拟议研究在健康诊断、环境监测、家庭安全以及可再生和生态友好型能源生产方面的应用开发方面具有巨大潜力。该项目将：1）通过大学-行业研发合作伙伴计划发展公私合作，最终获得小企业创新研究和小企业技术转让赠款; 2）通过内布拉斯加州工程，科学和技术实习计划促进技术转让; 3）与当地和国家技术公司建立以项目为重点的关系。该项目还将在内布拉斯加州建立一个未来科学家的管道，并通过代表性不足的机会组合，加强来自生物科学，工程和其他STEM领域代表性不足的群体的个人的参与。研究结果将通过会议、演讲、互动网站和NE EPSCoR外联方案传播。

Proposal Number: EPS-1004094 Proposal Title: Nebraska 2010-15 RII Project: Nanohybrid Materials & Algal Biology Institution: University of Nebraska This project invests in two independent research areas of local and national importance by capitalizing on Nebraska's core strengths in nanomaterials and algal biology. It proposes to establish two interdisciplinary research centers of excellence: the Center for Nanohybrid Functional Materials and the Nebraska Center for Algal Biology and Biotechnology. These centers are expected to assemble the expertise of 29 faculty members from seven disciplines to collaboratively address important fundamental science questions that also align with state and NSF priorities in nanoscience and energy. The project?s participating institutions are: the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Creighton University, Doane College, University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Little Priest Tribal College, and Nebraska Indian Community College.Intellectual Merit The Nanohybrid Center proposes to pursue new sensing principles for nanohybrid materials that combine molecular scale recognition elements (such as DNA, dyes, or aptamers) with scaffolds composed of 3D ordered nanostructures. The new hybrid materials are anticipated to have unique chemical and physical properties. These novel features may offer yet unglimpsed potential for applications in health diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and domestic security. Algae have tremendous potential for providing large quantities of lipid-based biofuels on land unusable for production of food crops. The commercial use of algae for biofuels has yet to be realized because of the limited knowledge of the genetic and biochemical factors that regulate the growth of algae and their ability to accumulate lipids. The Algal Center would address this barrier by conducting basic research on the biology and metabolism of algae. Algae available today exhibit only a small portion of the genetic potential that lies within their genomes, and knowledge of fundamental algal biology is woefully limited. Broader Impacts By providing collaborative opportunities for scientists, engineers, and private industry partners, this project proposes to dramatically advance the knowledge base in the areas of nanohybrid materials and algal biology and biotechnology. The proposed research in these fields holds great potential for the development of applications in health diagnostics, environmental monitoring, domestic security, and renewable and ecologically friendly energy production. The project would: 1) develop public-private collaborations through the University-Industry R&D Partnership Program, culminating in Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grants; 2) promote technology transfer through the Nebraska Engineering, Science, and Technology Internship Program; and 3) form project-focused relationships with local and national technology companies. This project also would develop a pipeline of future scientists across Nebraska and enhance participation of individuals from under-represented groups in the bioscience, engineering, and other STEM fields through the Underrepresented Opportunity Portfolio. Research findings would be disseminated through conferences, presentations, interactive Web sites, and NE EPSCoR outreach programs.