Center for Development of Biological Nanosensors (RMI)

递质、激素和其他生物活性分子的分泌取决于一系列复杂的细胞活动。虽然一些细胞如神经和肌肉细胞可以通过电信号进行通信，但大多数细胞通过化学试剂进行通信，这些化学试剂改变释放它们的细胞（称为自分泌试剂）、附近细胞（旁分泌试剂或递质）或生物体其他部分的细胞（外分泌试剂）的活性 或激素）。正常的细胞功能通常取决于对这些试剂释放的量和时间的非常严格的控制。许多病理事件涉及细胞之间的化学通讯中断（最明显的是在中枢神经系统，心脏，肺和肾脏）。由于这些化学信使的重要性，大量的研究工作已被用于确定从细胞释放的性质。 然而，由于大多数这些方法是间接的或具有低的空间或时间分辨率，仍然有许多悬而未决的问题，有关释放的这些代理。本计划提出了一种创新的，多学科的方法来调查细胞通信过程中的分子水平。这项建议利用了两个小组的综合专门知识。细胞和分子信号中心（CCMS） 组织埃默里大学校园的生物专业知识，而应用传感器实验室（ASL）将作为格鲁吉亚理工学院校园的焦点，用于研究生物问题所需的纳米技术的发展。CCMS和ASL已经建立了正在进行的研究计划和合作赠款，使用纳米技术来检查肺和肾细胞系统中的生物活性分子。该跨学科计划将专注于集成扫描纳米探针传感系统的应用。扫描探针显微镜技术为获得高空间分辨率的化学、形貌和光学信息提供了强有力的手段。每种技术-原子力显微镜（AFM），扫描近场光学显微镜（SNOM）和扫描电化学显微镜（SECM）-旨在提供特定类型的生物数据。SECM提供关于细胞表面生物分子活性的信息。概念验证实验已经建立了这种方法的实用性，以高时间和空间分辨率测量细胞表面的旁分泌剂，如ATP和活性氧，复杂生物系统的原位研究所需的信息。这些知识可能会导致更好的理解和治疗疾病的新策略，特别是与细胞通讯crocesses相关的疾病，如糖尿病，肺囊性纤维化和多囊肾病。

Secretion of transmitters, hormones, and other biologically active molecules depends upon a complex sequence of cellular events. Although some cells like nerve and muscle cells can communicate through electrical signals, most cells communicate through chemical agents that alter the activity of the cells from which they are released (known as autocrine agents), nearby cells (paracrine agents or transmitters), or cells in other parts of the organism (exocrine agents or hormones). Normal cellular function usually depends upon the very tight control of the amount and timing of the release of these agents. Many pathological events involve disruption of chemical communication between cells (most notably in the central nervous system, heart, lungs, and kidneys). Because of the importance of these chemical messengers, an enormous research effort has been directed to determining the properties of release from cells. However, because most of these methods are indirect or have low spatial or temporal resolution, there are still many unanswered questions concerning the release of such agents. The present program proposes an innovative, multidisciplinary approach to the investigation of cell communication processes at the molecular level. This proposal takes advantage of the combined expertise of two groups. The Center for Cell & Molecular Signaling (CCMS) will act to organize the biological expertise on the Emory campus while the Applied Sensors Laboratory (ASL) will act as the focal point on the Georgia Tech campus for development of the nanotechnology needed to study biological problems. CCMS and ASL already have established ongoing research programs and collaborative grants using nanotechnology to examine biologically active molecules in lung and renal cell systems. The interdisciplinary Program will focus on the application of integrated scanning nanoprobe sensing systems. Scanning probe microscopy techniques provide powerful means for obtaining chemical, topographical and optical information with high spatial resolution. Each technique -atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning near field optical microscopy (SNOM) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) - is designed to provide a specific kind of biological data. SECM provides information on the activity of biological molecules at cell surfaces. Proof of concept experiments have already established the utility of such methods to measure paracrine agents like ATP and reactive oxygen species at cell surfaces with high temporal and spatial resolution, information required for in situ investigations of complex biological systems. This knowledge may lead to better understanding and new strategies for treatment of disorders specifically related to cell communication crocesses like diabetes, cystic fibrosis in the lung, and polycystic kidney disease.