CAREER: A Micro SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance) Sensor with Integrated Microfluidic Components for In-Situ Monitoring of Biomolecular Activities

该职业计划的主要目标是通过课程开发和实验研究相结合的方式，在高度多学科的生物MEMS研究领域吸引和培养本科生和研究生。SPR传感器具有集成的微流体组件，其应用是对生物分子活动的现场监测。SPR传感器已经成为表征各种生物分子相互作用的强大工具，包括抗体-抗原结合、DNA杂交、蛋白质-DNA和蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用。拟议的工作将提供：(A)了解微光学/微流体中的设计参数和微机械加工中的微加工过程变量的知识和工具；(B)为将探索跨学科生物微机械学科的学生提供研究经验。微型SPR传感器将为小型化阵列式SPR传感器打开新的可能性。在这个职业计划中，跨学科的主题将通过课程开发和推广来涵盖和传播。计划与一个非营利性组织(奥兰多科学中心)、一个当地高中(大学高中)和一个校园组织(UCF女工程师协会)一起，为K-12年级的学生、教师和代表性不足的群体进行教育推广。将为年轻观众开发基于Flash动画的在线内容，以克服地域限制，最大限度地发挥教育影响。

The main objective of the proposed CAREER program is to engage and educate undergraduate and graduate students in the field of highly multidisciplinary BioMEMS research through integration of course development and experimental investigation stemming from micro SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance) sensor with integrated microfluidic components of which application is in-situ monitoring of biomolecular activities.The SPR sensor has been emerging as a powerful tool to characterize various biomolecular interactions including antibody-antigen binding, DNA hybridization, protein-DNA and protein-protein interactions. The proposed work will provide: (a) knowledge and tools for understanding design parameters in microoptics/ microfluidics and process variables in micromachining for the micro SPR sensor and (b) research experience to students who will explore interdisciplinary BioMEMS subjects. The micro SPR sensor will open new possibilities for miniaturized array type SPR sensors.In this CAREER program, interdisciplinary subjects will be covered and disseminated through course development and outreach. Educational outreach for K-12 students, teachers and underrepresented groups is planned with a non-profit organization (Orlando Science Center), a local high school (University High School) and an on-campus organization (UCF Society for Women Engineers). Flash-animation based online content will be developed for younger audiences to overcome geographical limitations and to maximize educational impact.