NIRT: Reversible and Directional Self-Assembly of Bio-Molecular Templates for Nanotechnology Interconnects

本提案的重点是使用微管（MT）作为模板来制造纳米级互连，互连阵列和网络。微管是自组装的、动态的、管状的生物分子，直径为纳米大小，宽高比大，由聚合的微管蛋白制成。它们的末端是极化的，因为每一个都表现出独特和特定的生化部分。所提出的工作目标包括建立一个组合/噬菌体文库，通过开发末端特异性封盖剂附着在MTs末端，为从MTs制造纳米互连奠定科学和技术基础。此外，特定的配体连接到功能化的金属垫将被识别和合成。通过使用亲和基团双功能试剂复合物和重组肽段在配体和封盖剂的末端创建互补的分子模式，可以实现附着控制和选择性。金属化研究将为鲜为人知的金属生物分子相互作用领域提供关键见解，目标是在mt的内部和/或外部表面沉积薄的Cu和Au涂层，以提高导电性。多尺度建模和计算机模拟将用于指导配体/帽界面的分子识别研究，以及几何和化学因素对MT纳米互连的受控组装和拆卸的影响。拟议的NIRT的教育部分的目标是促进来自代表性不足群体的个人迅速进入纳米技术业务。这一目标将通过纳米技术轨道（NTT）来实现，这是一门整合纳米技术的科学、工程和商业方面的课程。这种整合强调了研究理念和消费产品之间的过渡，通过专注于创业精神，由亚利桑那大学全国知名的伯杰创业计划教授。NIRT的目标将通过完成一系列计划的任务来实现，并在一个高度互动的跨学科研究小组的成员之间分配可衡量的结果。该团队包括：J. Hoying（细胞生物学和生物分子阵列，生物医学工程（BME））， I. jongeward（噬菌体展示，肽化学，亚利桑那健康科学中心（AHSC））， R. Guzman（聚合物/生物分子相互作用，化学与环境工程师），S. Raghavan（表面化学，电化学，材料科学与工程）。B. Zelinski（溶胶/凝胶化学，MSE）， O. Palusinski（微电子，封装和互连，电气和计算机工程（ECE））， P. Deymier（建模和仿真，MSE）和L. Adamowicz（量子和计算化学，化学）。这个团队将创建一个虚拟的教育和研究单位，没有传统的院系界限，其重点是培养多样化的本科生和研究生，使他们具备当今快速发展的纳米技术领域所需的科学和技术多语言能力。拟议活动产生的更广泛影响：该计划的更广泛影响围绕着将生物分子转移到工程领域。天然和工程生物分子，包括蛋白质，拥有的特性为结构/加工/制造/利用范式增加了一个新的维度，使它们在广泛的工程应用中具有难以置信的长期潜力。通过这种模式，所提出的活动将有助于使电子工业将特征尺寸降低到纳米级。此外，该计划将建立一个新的教育计划，纳米技术轨道（NTT），它将作为一个模型，将纳米技术的科学、工程、社会和商业方面整合到经济健全的企业中。

This proposal focuses on the use of microtubules (MT) as templates for fabricating nanoscale interconnects, interconnect arrays, and networks. MTs are self-assembling, dynamic, and tubular shaped biomolecules with nanometer size diameters and large aspect ratios, made from polymerized tubulin proteins. Their ends are polarized in that each one exhibits unique and specific biochemical moieties. The objectives of the proposed work include establishing the scientific and technical basis for making nano-interconnects from MTs by developing end-specific capping agents to attach to the ends of the MTs, via creation of a combinatorial/phage library. Also, specific ligands to be attached to functionalized metal pads will be identified and synthesized. Attachment control and selectivity will be achieved by creating complementary molecular patterns on the ends of the ligands and capping agents using affinity group - bifunctional reagent complexes and recombinant peptide stretches. Metallization research will provide key insights into the little known area of metal biomolecular interactions with the goal of depositing thin Cu and Au coatings on the interior and/or exterior surfaces of the MTs to improve conductivity. Multiscale modeling and computer simulations will be used to guide research on molecular recognition at the ligand/cap interface and on the effects of geometric and chemical factors on the controlled assembly and disassembly of MT nano-interconnects. The objective of the educational component of the proposed NIRT is to promote the rapid insertion of individuals from under-represented groups into nanotechnology businesses. This objective will be met through the NanoTechnology Track (NTT), a course of study that integrates the scientific, engineering, and business aspects of nanotechnology. This integration emphasizes the transition between research idea and consumer product through a focus on entrepreneurship as taught by the University of Arizona's nationally renowned Berger Entrepreneurship Program. The objectives of the NIRT will be met by completion of a series of planned tasks with measurable outcomes distributed amongst the members of a highly interactive, interdisciplinary team of investigators. This team includes: J. Hoying (cell biology and biomolecular arrays, Biomedical Engineering (BME)), I. Jongewaard (phage display, peptide chemistry, Arizona Health Science Center (AHSC)), R. Guzman (polymer/biomolecule interactions, Chemical and Environmental Engr.), S. Raghavan (surface chemistry, electrochemistry, Materials Science and Engr. (MSE)), B. Zelinski (sol/gel chemistry, MSE), O. Palusinski (microelectronics, packaging and interconnections, Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)), P. Deymier (modeling and simulation, MSE) and L. Adamowicz (quantum and computational chemistry, Chemistry). This team will create a virtual education and research unit without traditional departmental boundaries, whose focus is to train diverse undergraduate and graduate students in the scientific and technical multi-linguism needed in today's rapidly evolving field of nanotechnology.The broader impacts resulting from the proposed activity: The broader impacts of this program revolve around moving biomolecules into the engineering arena. Natural and engineered biomolecules, including proteins, possess properties that add a new dimension to the structure/ processing/ manufacturing/ utilization paradigm, giving them a fabulous long-term potential in a vast range of engineering applications. Through this paradigm, the proposed activity will help enable the electronics industry to push feature sizes down to the nanoscale. Also, this program will establish a new educational initiative, the nanotechnology track (NTT) that will serve as a model for integrating the scientific, engineering, societal and business aspects of nanotechnology into economically sound enterprises.