Modified nanostructures for the next generation of biosensing and enhanced nanomaterials

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The fabrication and the surface modification of nanostrutures are key areas of research for the transformation of nanoscience to nanotechnology. The research program described in this proposal seeks to apply modified nanostructures in bioanalytical and nanomaterials applications. Specifically, we will develop devices and technologies to detect small molecule metabolites and synthesize high-performance materials based on renewable “green” nanoparticles. Metabolomics is an emerging field of “omics” science that uses advanced analytical chemistry techniques to characterize the 1000s of small molecule metabolites (MW<1500 Da) found in tissues and biofluids. A key strength of metabolomics is the ability to measure not just 1 metabolite at a time, but dozens to 100’s at a time. Inexpensive, easy-to-use companion diagnostics are central to the success of personalized medicine. We intend to exploit the power of metabolomics to develop novel, inexpensive, portable metabolomic measurement system that could eventually be used to diagnose, monitor or predict not just one disease, but >50 common diseases -- including many that are on the AHRIS priority list. 30 key metabolites have been identified that may be used, either alone or in combination, to predict or diagnose the development of a wide range of disorders including maternal (preeclampsia), childhood (autism, trisomy 18), chronic (diabetes, Crohn’s, colitis, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome), infectious (hepatitis) and neurological (Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia) with high sensitivity and specificity. We believe the work proposed here can reduce analysis times and costs significantly. Cellulose is the world’s most abundant biopolymer. Specific processing of cellulose results in the isolation of nanoscale, crystalline cellulose nanoparticles called cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). CNCs are rod shaped particles of nanoscale dimension that exhibit high specific strength and modulus, have high surface area and possess unique optical properties. Our project involves the chemical modification of CNC to produce a material that can be used in additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing uses technologies that create 3D structures through sequential layering of materials. The most common form of additive manufacturing is 3D printing, which has brought us closer to the longstanding dream of replication technology. A 3D printer creates an object from a digital model by sequential depositing materials that can solidify into the desired shape. A wide variety of materials, from metals to ceramics to polymers, can be used as inks for 3D printing. As ideas and applications continue to expand, so will the need for new ink materials. 3D printing of biomaterials is beginning to emerge pushed by the desire for renewable, abundant, biocompatible and/or biodegradable inks. We believe that CNC shows great promise as a major or minor component of the next generation of 3D inks, especially for biomedical implants and devices.