CAREER: Biomimetic Nanostructured Semiconductors for Controlled Electrical Interfacing with Single Cells

这项由材料研究部的生物材料项目授予芝加哥大学的职业奖项是为了研究生物细胞和无机材料之间界面上的信号转导的基本极限。这项提议的目的是研究纳米半导体的表面形态和化学成分对其与哺乳动物细胞的结构和电界面的影响。这项拟议的研究可能会产生一种新的生物材料平台，用于进行单细胞活动的电记录，与传统的基于荧光或微电极的技术相比，它将具有更高的时空分辨率和更好的信噪比。这项工作将采用涉及材料化学、生物物理学和细胞生物学的综合实验方法。这项工作中提出的材料和装置可能会产生用于生物医学应用的高度敏感的装置。作为这一职业奖的一部分，提出了一个综合教育目标，即创造一个研究密集型学习环境，以教育学生有关纳米结构半导体、生物材料和生物物理学的科目。根据研究结果，将开发教育材料、演示和网络教程。芝加哥大学现有的示范项目将通过为高中生和本科生提供暑期研究机会来增加科学和工程方面的多样性。最后，两个国际暑期交流项目正在启动，将允许本科生和研究生与中国或以色列的合作者合作。来自单细胞的电信号可以调节他们的功能。这位研究人员的早期研究表明，可以使用纳米级材料和设备来测量这些信号。这项拟议的研究是为了从根本上了解纳米材料和设备记录这些电活动的机制。这项工作计划采用材料化学、生物物理学和细胞生物学实验的综合方法。这项工作中提出的材料和装置可能会产生用于生物医学应用的高度敏感的装置。研究活动将为学生在高度跨学科的研究环境中提供学习机会。这项研究还将提供独特的知识和技能，可以在半导体或探测器行业开辟新的努力领域。除了芝加哥大学现有的外展项目外，还将计划在中国或以色列进行海外留学，为美国学生提供对其他国家科学家和工程师的认识和终身欣赏。

This Career award by the Biomaterials program in the Division of Materials Research to the University of Chicago is to investigate the fundamental limits of signal transduction at the interface between biological cells and inorganic materials. The objectives of this proposal are to investigate the effect of surface morphology and chemistry of nanoscale semiconductors on their structural and electrical interfaces with mammalian cells. The proposed study will potentially yield a new biomaterials platform for conducting electrical recording of single cell activities, which will have much higher spatiotemporal resolutions and better signal to noise ratio than conventional fluorescence or microelectrode based techniques. This work will adopt an integrative approach involving experiments in materials chemistry, biophysics and cell biology. The materials and devices proposed in this work can potentially yield highly sensitive devices for biomedical applications. As part of this Career award, an integrated educational goal is proposed to create a research-intensive learning environment to educate students on subjects of nanostructured semiconductors, biomaterials and biophysics. Based on research results, educational materials, demonstrations, and web tutorials will be developed. Existing model programs at the University of Chicago will be used to increase diversity in science and engineering by offering summer research opportunities to high school and undergraduate students. Finally, two international summer exchange programs are being launched that will allow the undergraduate and graduate students to work with collaborators in China or Israel.Electrical signals from single cells can regulate their functioning. Earlier studies by this investigator have shown that these signals can be measured using nanoscale materials and devices. The proposed research is to gain a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms by which nanoscale materials and devices record these electrical activities. This work plans to adopt an integrative approach involving experiments in materials chemistry, biophysics and cell biology. The materials and devices proposed in this work can potentially yield highly sensitive devices for biomedical applications. The research activities will provide learning opportunities for students in a highly interdisciplinary research environment. The study will also provide a unique knowledge and skill set that can open new areas of endeavor in the semiconductor or detector industry. In addition to existing outreach programs at the University of Chicago, overseas studies in China or Israel will be planned to provide the US students with an awareness and lifelong appreciation of scientists and engineers in other countries.