ACT/SGER: Virus Recognition Using Self-Assembled Nanoscale Block Copolymer Patterns

该探索性方案将提出一种新的方法，该方法使用镍官能化的两亲性嵌段共聚物模式来分离和收集病毒。 嵌段共聚物可以提供具有非光刻纳米级图案的柔性透明功能纳米级器件，这些器件可以与生物活性分子兼容。拟议的工作分为两个具体目标：第一个涉及功能化嵌段共聚物的合成和加工，第二个将这些材料应用于仿生病毒传感。1.将合成镍功能化嵌段共聚物并加工成薄膜.将进行不同大小和形状的病毒结合（BV-GFP、TMV、TNV、PVX、CGMMV），并将在水性和生理介质中评估它们对嵌段共聚物模式的特异性。 因此，纳米聚合物图案为开发新型生物传感材料提供了令人兴奋的途径 和技术。 拟议的探索性研究的更广泛影响涉及嵌段共聚物纳米级器件系统，该系统将应用于病毒的识别、分类和清除。 目前，这是一项非常艰巨的任务，但在不同部门，包括国家安全（如生物恐怖主义）、人类和动物健康、作物保护和生物制剂生产，都有广泛的需求。 在这项工作中开展的教育活动包括本科生和研究生教学，中学教师培训，研究生咨询，以及本科生参与和指导的各种机会，以及K-12定制的交互式网页的开发。 数学和物理科学局的打击恐怖主义办法方案支持基础研究和劳动力发展方面的新概念，这些概念有可能促进国家安全。

This exploratory proposal will present a new method which uses a Nickel-functionalized amphiphilic block copolymer pattern to separate and collect viruses. Block copolymers can provide flexible transparent functional nanoscale devices with non-lithographic nanoscale patterns which could be made compatible with biologically active molecules.The proposed work is divided into two specific objectives: The first deals with synthesizing and processing functionalized block copolymers, the second will apply these materials to biomimetic virus sensing.1. Nickel functionalized block copolymers will be synthesized and processed into thin films.2. Virus binding of different sizes and shapes (BV-GFP, TMV, TNV, PVX, CGMMV) will be carried out, and their specificity on the block copolymer pattern will be evaluated in aqueous and physiological media.The proposed exploratory methodologies for the synthesis and characterization of thin-film virus binding nanoscale polymer patterns thus offer exciting avenues for the development of novel biosensing materials and techniques. The broader impacts of the proposed exploratory research relate to a block copolymer nanoscale device system which would apply in the identification, classification, and removal of viruses. This is currently a very difficult task, but the need is widespread in diverse sectors, including national security (e.g. bioterrorism), human and animal health, crop protection, and biologics production. The education activities to be undertaken in this work include undergraduate and graduate teaching, middle school teacher training, graduate student advising, and various opportunities in undergraduate research involvement and mentoring, as well as the development of a K-12 tailored interactive web page.This award is supported jointly by the NSF and the Intelligence Community. The Approaches to Combat Terrorism Program in the Directorate for Mathematics and Physical Sciences supports new concepts in basic research and workforce development with the potential to contribute to national security.