NSEC for Molecular Function at the Nano/Bio Interface

宾夕法尼亚大学纳米/生物界面分子功能纳米科学与工程中心将利用宾夕法尼亚大学在分子功能设计、单个分子行为量化以及有机/无机界面相互作用方面的优势，开展研究，为理解与物理系统界面背景下的分子功能奠定基础。NSEC联合了来自三个学院（工程与应用科学学院、医学院和艺术与科学学院）的18名研究人员。两个多学科研究小组专注于上述基本问题的各个方面。此外，两个跨领域的倡议发展了研究主题不可或缺的思想，并在它们之间建立了明确的联系。两个基本主题是：合成生物分子的光电功能和生理系统中分子的机械运动。这两个跨领域的项目是分子纳米特性探测和纳米技术伦理。这些努力的影响将在生物物理学、生物工程、化学、电气和机械工程以及材料科学中感受到。这项工作的发现将为纳米级设备制造、药物输送和集成化学传感器的新技术的发展提供坚实的基础，使几个近期的实际应用成为可能，并为未来的实际实施提供基础。此外，这些问题也是理解许多复杂生物/生理过程的核心。NSEC的广泛影响将体现在几个层面上。从技术角度来看，它将阐明在分子水平上定义纳米技术和生物学界面领域的关键问题。因此，它将把许多学科的注意力集中到一个领域，这是该领域未来的核心。NSEC将在地方和全国范围内影响公共教育、社会话语、劳动力发展和多样性。在城市环境中实施教育活动将在早期阶段针对高度多样化的受众，因为接触令人兴奋的科学可以影响兴趣和未来的职业选择，同时开发可在全国范围内实施的模式。这个NSEC将在纳米科学和技术伦理的社会讨论中发挥领导作用。

The University of Pennsylvania's Nano Science and Engineering Center on Molecular Function at the Nano/Bio Interface will exploit Penn's strengths in design of molecular functionality, quantifying behavior of individual molecules, and interactions at organic/inorganic interfaces to perform research that establishes the foundation for understanding molecular function in the context of interfacing with physical systems. The NSEC unites 18 investigators from three schools (the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Medicine, and the School of Arts and Sciences). Two multidisciplinary research teams are focused on aspects of the fundamental issues outlined above. Additionally, two cross cutting initiatives develop ideas integral to the research themes and make explicit links between them. The two fundamental themes are: optoelectronic function in synthetic biomolecules and mechanical motion of molecules from physiological systems. The two cross-cutting initiatives are on Molecular Nano Property Probes and Ethics in Nanotechnology.The impact of these efforts will be felt in biophysics, bioengineering, chemistry, electrical and mechanical engineering and materials science. Discoveries from this effort will provide a sound basis for the development of new technologies for nanoscale device manufacture, drug delivery and integrated chemical sensors, enabling several near term practical applications as well provide the basis for future practical implementation. Furthermore, these issues are also at the core of understanding many complex biological/physiological processes. The broad impact of the NSEC will occur on several levels. From a technical perspective it will articulate the critical issues that define the field at the interface of nanotechnology and biology at the molecular level. As such it will focus the attention of many disciplines to an area that is at the core of future of the field. The NSEC will impact public education, social discourse, workforce development and diversity, both locally and nationally. The implementation of educational activities in an urban environment will target a highly diverse audience at the early stage when exposure to exciting science can influence interests and future career choices, while developing models that can be implemented across the country. This NSEC will take a leadership position in the social discussion of ethics in nanoscience and technology.