CAREER:Nanoscale Electrical and Mechanical Interactions in DNA-Carbon Nanotube Nanobiohybrids

本研究的目的是在单分子水平上测量单个碳纳米管和DNA分子之间的电和机械相互作用。该方法是使用最先进的双阱光镊将单个DNA分子靠近悬浮的碳纳米管，这是液体环境中超灵敏碳纳米管晶体管的一部分。通过精确的光电导和力的测量，单个DNA分子和碳纳米管之间的电和机械耦合将被研究。智力优势：该研究是DNA-碳纳米管混合物中分子相互作用的第一次直接测量，这将为理解DNA-碳纳米管混合物的结构和功能特性提供目前不可用的数据。这种基本的理解将澄清DNA分子和碳纳米管之间的相互作用机制，这将导致纳米生物杂化物的预测设计的力量。 因此，所获得的基础知识将推动DNA-碳纳米管纳米生物复合物的研究前沿。 更广泛的影响：获得的基础知识和预测能力将对许多技术领域产生变革性的影响，包括组织工程，药物输送，生物传感器和诊断成像。此外，PI还提出了一个综合研究和教育计划，包括（1）一个新的实验室课程，介绍纳米技术的尖端技术，（2）纳米中国计划，为本科生提供国际研究经验，（3）纳米生物技术模块，重点是光学，材料和生物医学应用，为K-12学生提供动手实验室，（4）范德比尔特纳米日讲习班的特别妇女会议。

The objective of this research is to measure, at the single-molecule level, the electrical and mechanical interactions between individual carbon nanotubes and DNA molecules. The approach is to use state-of-the-art dual-trap optical tweezers to bring a single DNA molecule close to a suspended carbon nanotube, which is part of an ultra-sensitive carbon nanotube transistor in a liquid environment. Through precise photoconductance and force measurements, the electrical and mechanical coupling between individual DNA molecules and carbon nanotubes will be investigated. Intellectual Merit: The research is the first direct measurement of molecular interactions in DNA-carbon-nanotube hybrids, which will provide currently unavailable data to understand the structural and functional properties of DNA-carbon-nanotube hybrids. This fundamental understanding will clarify the interaction mechanisms between DNA molecules and carbon nanotubes, which will lead to the power of predictive design of nanobiohybrids. Therefore, the obtained fundamental knowledge will move the frontier of DNA-carbon nanotube nanobiohybrids. Moreover, the proposed research will provide an approach to explore the complex interfaces in other nanobiohybrids.Broader Impacts: The acquired fundamental knowledge and predictive power will produce transformative impacts to many technological fields, including tissue engineering, drug delivery, biosensors, and diagnostic imaging. In addition, the PI proposes an integrated research and education plan, including (1) a new laboratory course introducing cutting-edge techniques in nanotechnology, (2) a NanoChina program providing an international research experience to undergraduate students, (3) a nano-biotechnology module highlighting optical, material and biomedical applications with hands-on laboratories to K-12 students, and (4) special women's sessions at the Vanderbilt Nanoday workshop.