EAGER/Collaborative Research: Large Scale Microtubule-Based Nanomanufacturing of Single Kinesin Patterns with Ultrahigh Resolution

这个早期概念探索性研究拨款项目的目标是开发一种新的概念，用于以超高分辨率(低于10纳米)的方式构建单个蛋白质的图案。这种方法基于自组装和自我识别，起源于过于拥挤的细胞内环境，以至于扩散不能成为细胞质内物质移动的有效机制。具体地说，原位聚合的微管(细胞骨架细丝)垂直固定在原子力显微镜的顶端，作为纯化的动蛋白分子马达的轨迹；在三磷酸腺苷水解产生的化学能下，动蛋白从微管顶端沉积到靠近的玻璃表面，从而形成单一蛋白质的纳米阵列。这种急切开发的技术在以下领域造福社会：药物输送、筛查、纳米电子学和纳米传感器。除了通过证明生物分子可以用于打印超高分辨率的纳米阵列这一原理来认识这项技术的价值之外，这项研究还提供了对单个纳米材料(包括有机和无机)进行图案化的解决方案。固有的跨学科性质提供了巨大的机会来吸引和整合学生与不同学科的教育经验(该项目将雇用两名毕业生)。基于仿生的纳米制造领域的进展将被纳入西弗吉尼亚大学的细胞机器和RPI的生物材料加工两门课程。最后，国际生物工程师学会将利用西弗吉尼亚大学的生物工程师学会，通过制作廉价的海报来普及生物纳米技术，突出这些进步，从而促进纳米技术方面的公共教育和面向代表性不足的人群(即妇女和农村社区)。

The objective of this Early-Concept Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER) project is to develop a novel concept for patterning single protein with ultrahigh resolution (below 10 nm). The approach is based on self-assembly and self-recognition and originates in the intracellular environment that is too crowded to allow diffusion to be an efficient mechanism for the movement of materials within the cytoplasm. Specifically, in situ polymerized microtubule (cytoskeletal filaments) affixed vertically to the tip of an atomic force microscope serves as track for purified kinesin molecular motors; under the chemical energy derived from adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis kinesin is deposited from the microtubule tip onto a glass surface situated in close proximity leading to nanoarrays of single protein. This EAGER-developed technology benefits society in areas as: drug delivery, screening, nanoelectronics, and nanosensors. Beyond recognizing the value of this technology through the proof of principle that biological molecules can be used for printing nanoarrays with ultrahigh resolution, this research also provides solutions to patterning individual nanomaterial (both organic and inorganic). The inherent interdisciplinary nature offers tremendous opportunities for enticing and integrating students with educational experience across diverse disciplines (two graduates will be employed by this program). The advances in the field of biomimetic-based nanomanufacturing will be incorporated in two courses Cellular machines at WVU and Processing of Biomaterials at RPI. Lastly, the PI will use Society for Biological Engineers at WVU to popularize bionanotechnology by generating inexpensive posters highlighting the advances and thus contributing to public education in nanotechnology and outreach to underrepresented populations, (i.e., women, rural communities).