Bioengineering Single Crystal Growth

生物工程单晶生长

• 批准号: 1106208
• 负责人: Derk Joester
• 金额: $ 42万
• 依托单位: Northwestern University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-09-01 至 2015-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1106208&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Bioengineering; Single; Crystal; Growth

ID: MPS/DMR/BMAT(7623) 1106208 PI: Joester, Derk ORG: Northwestern UniversityTitle: Bioengineering Single Crystal GrowthINTELLECTUAL MERIT: Biological mineralized tissues (e.g. bones, teeth, shells) are sophisticated organic-inorganic composites with hierarchical architecture down to the nm-scale. Their functional roles include mechanical strengthening, optical elements, and gravity or magnetic field sensing. Optimized in hundreds of millions of years of evolution, organisms have achieved remarkable engineering feats such as high bone toughness at low weight, self-sharpening teeth, self-repair capability, and low energy footprint, sustainable syntheses. Many of the hallmarks of biological crystal growth have yet to be reproduced in vitro: curving and/or branching single crystals, control over polymorph, use of amorphous precursors, and nm scale control of organic-inorganic composites. This project investigates approaches to control the cooperative growth of single crystals in cell culture with the goal to quite literally grow materials with properties optimized for their intended use. The biomineralization system in sea urchin serves as the platform for these studies. The following specific tasks will be pursued to explore and develop the range and limits of bioengineering single crystal shape, connectivity, and larger composite structures by guided biological deposition: (1) Explore, by multi-dimensional live cell microscopy, cellular dynamics on micro-patterns to better understand phenomena of bridging between sticky patches, motility of cells on lectin patterns, and formation of branch and/or fusion sites. (2) Characterize interplay of spicule mineral, organic matrix, and cellular machinery at key points in the spicule development, namely the initial deposit, linear spicules, branch sites, and joints. (3) Overexpress and purify the endogenous signaling factor SpVEGF-3 as a universal inducer of spiculogenesis in primary mesenchyme cell (PMC) cultures, and explore immobilization of the VEGF to study its role as a chemo-attractant. (4) Investigate spicule matrix protein sorting signals in PMCs and determine minimum signal peptide required to target proteins to the spicule compartment. (5) Use fusion proteins to study spicule matrix, and attempt to influence polymorph selection by expression of exogenous polymorph switches such as Starmaker. BROADER IMPACTS: The ability to grow novel functional materials at ambient temperatures from seawater could create entirely new approaches to sustainable materials synthesis. In addition, the PI will expose freshmen and sophomores to sea urchin biomineralization and soft lithography in the context of new ?Discovery Lab? modules that are part of an entry-level materials science class. From this class and through minority recruitment channels at centers such as the MRSEC and others, he will recruit undergraduate researchers for academic year and summer research projects. Such students receive highly interdisciplinary training in bio-related areas (e.g. molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell culture) that will complement clean room training, photo and soft lithography, and materials characterization by cutting-edge techniques. The project will continue to develop modules for the mobile lab jump-started with the previous award to carry aspects of this research to local high and middle schools. In addition, a murder mystery activity that is being developed with the Chicago Botanic Garden will be adapted for use at the Shedd Aquarium. Finally, the PI will leverage resources at Northwestern University to reach out to society at large through participation in a range of events that include lab tours and public lectures.

ID：MPS/dmr/bmat(7623)1106208 PI：Joester，derk ORG：西北大学标题：生物工程单晶生长电子优点：生物矿化组织(如骨骼、牙齿、贝壳)是复杂的有机-无机复合材料，具有纳米级的分层结构。它们的功能包括机械强化、光学元件和重力或磁场传感。经过数亿年的进化优化，生物已经取得了显著的工程壮举，如在低重量下高骨骼韧性，自磨牙齿，自我修复能力，以及低能量足迹，可持续的合成。生物晶体生长的许多特征尚未在体外复制：弯曲和/或分支单晶，控制多晶型，使用非晶态前驱体，以及有机-无机复合材料的纳米尺度控制。该项目研究在细胞培养中控制单晶的协同生长的方法，目的是非常准确地生长出具有优化其预期用途的性能的材料。海胆中的生物矿化系统为这些研究提供了平台。为了探索和发展生物工程单晶形状、连通性和更大的复合结构的范围和限制，将通过引导生物沉积进行以下具体任务：(1)通过多维活细胞显微镜探索微图案上的细胞动力学，以更好地了解粘性斑块之间的桥接、凝集素图案上的细胞移动以及分支和/或融合部位的形成。(2)在针状体发育的关键点，即初始沉积、线状针状体、分枝部位和关节处，刻画针刺矿物、有机基质和细胞机械的相互作用。(3)高效表达和纯化原代间充质细胞(PMC)刺突发生的通用诱导剂--内源性信号因子SpVEGF-3，并对其进行固定化，研究其作为化学诱导剂的作用。(4)研究PMC中针刺基质蛋白分选信号，确定靶向针刺室的蛋白质所需的最小信号肽。(5)利用融合蛋白研究针状体基质，并试图通过表达外源多态开关来影响多态选择。更广泛的影响：能够在常温下从海水中种植新型功能材料，可以为可持续材料合成创造全新的方法。此外，在新发现实验室的背景下，PI将使一年级和二年级的学生接触到海胆的生物矿化和软光刻。作为入门材料科学课程的一部分的模块。他将从这个班开始，并通过MRSEC等中心的少数族裔招募渠道，为学年和暑期研究项目招募本科生研究人员。这些学生在生物相关领域(如分子生物学、生物化学和细胞培养)接受高度跨学科的培训，这些培训将补充无尘室培训、照相和软光刻以及通过尖端技术表征材料。该项目将继续为移动实验室开发模块，从上一个奖项开始，将这项研究的各个方面带到当地的高中和中学。此外，正在与芝加哥植物园合作开发的一项谋杀悬疑活动将被改编用于谢德水族馆。最后，PI将利用西北大学的资源，通过参与包括实验室参观和公开讲座在内的一系列活动来接触整个社会。