SENSORS: Detecting Microbial Pathogens with Novel Surface Acoustic Wave Devices in Liquid Environments

该SENSORS提案整合了研究和教育，利用LGX晶体器件的新家族的灵敏度，该器件在新的剪切水平表面声波（SH-SAW）传播方向上运行，通过将其与高选择性分子挂锁探针相结合，检测与大肠杆菌O157：H7、沙门氏菌伤寒和霍乱弧菌等细菌相关的特定核酸序列。传感器科学和工程的预期基本进展将与许多应用有关，包括对生物恐怖主义的快速反应，医疗保健，流行病学，农业，食品安全，以及污染的避免和缓解。该传感器计划建立在由电气和通信系统，生物工程和环境系统部门资助的NSFSGER项目提供的初步概念验证结果的基础上。这项建议的智力价值在于创造性的，综合的研究和教育活动，结合最近确定的LGX SH-SAW器件与分子挂锁探针技术，允许设计，制造，测试和优化的原型生物传感器。SENSORS计划的具体研究目标是：（i）确定表面密度化学以提高灵敏度;（ii）调查和确定最佳LGX SH-SAW方向和挂锁技术操作的设备设计;（iii）研究和开发分子挂锁探针系统以与LGX SH-SAW设备一起有效操作;（iv）制造和测试原型SH-SAW液体生物传感器;（v）确定和优化传感器再生程序;（vi）表征和优化传感器的动态范围和交叉效应，由于温度和其他物理和化学因素。该传感器计划的教育目标是为学生提供多学科的学习经验，从高中到研究生水平，在传感器领域，特别是生物传感器。将通过以下方案和活动实现更广泛的影响：㈠通过缅因州大学（缅因州）正在进行的两个主要方案，即国家科学基金会教师研究经验和GK-12传感器，培训高中学生并与他们互动;（ii）让来自缅因州和其他机构的本科生直接参与正在进行的NSF本科生研究经验（REU）的研究项目在UMaine; ㈢通过增加与生物传感器装置和系统有关的单元，扩大缅因大学现有的传感器技术和仪器以及生物化学工程本科课程; ㈣为涉及跨学科研究和设计项目的本科生确定适当的顶点项目; ㈤通过将研究成果纳入课程，加强现有的研究生课程微型生物工程和声波装置的设计和制造;（vi）为新的跨学科多机构NSF功能基因组学综合研究生教育和研究培训计划（IGERT）做出贡献，该计划涉及缅因州大学，杰克逊实验室和缅因州医学中心研究所;（vi）为硕士和博士提供实验和/或理论论文。学生;（vii）在项目网站上、通过会议和印刷品传播研究和教育材料。这里提议的SENSORS项目旨在产生切实的研究和教育效益。它将为下一代生物传感器的生产和未来的阵列集成提供一个关键的知识基础。它还寻求建立一个示范计划，使跨学科教育与最先进的研究计划相结合，为从高中到研究生水平的学生提供丰富的学习经验。最后，该项目将有助于加强美国在高科技领域的研究和教育能力，目前该领域需要训练有素的工业和学术专业人员。

This SENSORS proposal integrates research and education to exploit the sensitivity of a newfamily of LGX crystal devices operated in novel Shear Horizontal Surface Acoustic Wave (SH-SAW)propagation directions by combining them with highly selective molecular padlock probes to detectspecific nucleic acid sequences associated with bacteria such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonellatyphi, and Vibrio cholerae in aqueous solutions. The anticipated fundamental advances in sensor scienceand engineering will be relevant to numerous applications, including rapid response to bioterrorism,healthcare, epidemiology, agriculture, food safety, and pollution avoidance and mitigation.This SENSORS program builds upon the initial proof-of-concept results provided by an NSFSGER project funded by the divisions of Electrical and Communication Systems, and Bioengineering andEnvironmental Systems. The intellectual merit of this proposal rests in the creative, integrated researchand education activities related to combining the recently identified LGX SH-SAW devices withmolecular padlock probe technology to permit the design, fabrication, testing, and optimization ofprototype biosensors. The specific research objectives of this SENSORS program are to: (i) Identify thesurface density chemistry for increased sensitivity; (ii) Investigate and identify the optimal LGX SH-SAWorientation and device design for operation with the padlock technology; (iii) Study and develop themolecular padlock probe system to operate effectively in conjunction with the LGX SH-SAW device; (iv)Fabricate and test the prototype SH-SAW liquid biosensors; (v) Identify and optimize a procedure forsensor regeneration; and (vi) Characterize and optimize the sensor's dynamic range and cross-effects dueto temperature and other physical and chemical factors.The educational objective of this SENSORS program is to provide a multidisciplinary learningexperience to students ranging from high school to graduate student level in the area of sensors in general,and biosensors in particular. Broader impacts will be achieved through the following programs andactivities to: (i) Train and interact with high school audiences through two major ongoing programs atUniversity of Maine (UMaine), NSF Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) and the GK-12 Sensors;(ii) Involve undergraduates from Maine and other institutions directly into the research project under theumbrella of the ongoing NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at the UMaine;(iii) Expand existing undergraduate Sensor Technology and Instrumentation and Biochemical EngineeringEngineering courses at the UMaine by adding modules relating to biosensors devices and systems; (iv)Identify appropriate Capstone projects for undergraduates involving cross-disciplinary research and designprojects; (v) Enhance existing graduate level courses Microscale Bioengineering and Design andFabrication of Acoustic Wave Devices by incorporating research results into the course; (vi) Contribute tothe new interdisciplinary multi-institutional NSF Integrative Graduate Education and ResearchTraineeship (IGERT) program in functional genomics, which involves UMaine, the Jackson Laboratory,and the Maine Medical Center Research Institute; (vi) Provide a experimental and/or theoretical thesistopics for Masters and Ph.D. students; (vii) Disseminate the research and educational material on a projectwebsite, and through conferences and printed literature.The SENSORS project proposed here is designed to result in tangible research and educationalbenefits. It will provide a knowledge base critical to creation of the next generation of biosensors forsingle unit production and future integration into arrays. It also seeks to establish a model programwhereby cross-disciplinary education is integrated with a state-of-the-art research program, providing arich learning experience for students ranging from high school to graduate student level. Finally, theproject will help to strengthen US research and educational capabilities in an area of high technology thatcurrently is in need of highly trained industry and academic professionals.