MRI: Development of a Microelectromagnetic, Laser Ablation Instrument for Biomechanics

哈佛大学获得了一项研究奖，以开发一种用于研究细胞、组织和生物材料力学的新型仪器。力最终驱动着构成生物功能基础的运动，但由于缺乏相关的实验技术，人们对它们知之甚少。即将制定的文书将有助于纠正这种情况。该项目将导致本科生，研究生和博士后研究员接受培训，创造新的技术，结合联合收割机的方法，从纳米纤维，光学和生物学。学生和研究员将被招募参加通过研究交流计划的发展努力。参与者还将接受专业技能培训，学习如何在生物学、工程学、物理学和数学之间进行工作。中学生将了解显微镜，并将了解开发尖端仪器的兴奋之处。该仪器将利用纳米线来操纵磁场。这些磁场将用于控制同时施加在多个磁珠上的力，使它们能够对细胞和组织施加复杂的力模式。同时，该仪器还将采用飞秒激光烧蚀，以亚微米分辨率快速切割三维图案。用磁珠施加力和用激光烧蚀切割的组合将提供一种方法来剖析内力，它们是如何产生的，以及它们产生的反应。该仪器支持的研究项目包括染色体分离、核膜破裂和修复、DNA断裂以及原肠胚形成和肢体发育机制中所涉及的力的表征。创建该仪器将需要优化纳米加工程序和光学控制，以及它们的集成。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

An award is made to Harvard University to do research to develop a novel instrument for studying the mechanics of cells, tissues, and biological materials. Forces ultimately drive the motions that underlie biological functions, but very little is known about them because of the lack of relevant experimental techniques. The instrument that will be developed will help to remedy this situation. The project will result in undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows being trained to create novel technologies that combine approaches from nanofabrication, optics, and biology. Students and fellows will be recruited to take part in the development effort through a research exchange program. Participants will also be coached in professional skills and learn how to work at the interface between biology, engineering, physics, and math. Middle school students will be introduced to microscopy and will learn about the excitement of developing cutting edge instrumentation.The instrument will make use of nanofabricated wires to manipulate magnetic fields. These magnetic fields will be used to control forces simultaneously exerted on multiple magnetic beads, allowing them to exert complex patterns of forces on cells and tissues. At the same time, the instrument will also employ femtosecond laser ablation to rapidly cut three-dimensional patterns with submicron resolution. The combination of applying forces with magnetic beads and cutting with laser ablation will provide a means to dissect internal forces, how they are generated, and the responses they produce. Research projects enabled by this instrument include the characterization of forces involved in chromosome segregation, nuclear envelope rupture and repair, and DNA breaks, as well as the mechanics of gastrulation and limb development. Creating the instrument will require the optimization of nanofabrication procedures and optical controls, and their integration. The results from this development activity will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and at scientific meetings.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.