NIRT: Biomolecular-Scale Nanofabrication for Investigation of Signaling, Motility, and Motor Protein Complexes

这个建议是响应纳米科学与工程倡议，NSF 04-043，类别NIRT。这个纳米跨学科研究小组（NIRT）项目将创建纳米制造，生物功能化阵列，研究生化系统中的空间秩序和功能之间的基本关系。 这些“纳米生物阵列”将使用前沿的纳米纤维技术制造，以允许在分子尺度上（即几到几十纳米）研究结构-功能关系。阵列将被分层组织，其中单位单元（包含一个或多个生物功能化的2-10 nm金属点）被组织成微米尺寸的域，并在mm尺寸的区域中图案化。每个域将包括相同的晶胞，并且晶胞几何形状将从域到域系统地变化，以便允许微米尺度上的直接测定技术。 纳米生物阵列技术将应用于三个生物学研究：1、研究大细胞骨架蛋白结合对配体空间排列的依赖性; 2、研究细胞质动力蛋白分子的有序化对微管依赖性运动的影响; 3、蛋白质晶体的播种。智力优势：本项目试图推动纳米生物阵列技术的极限，以便与生物系统对接。它将采用“自上而下”的方法来研究和控制这些系统的“自下而上”的组装、功能和综合。 每个子项目都将使用纳米纤维技术来扩展生物学问题或问题，超出目前可用技术的范围。 该项目是围绕一个中心主题和制造技术，这将允许快速的技术发展。 该项目涉及研究和教育主题“纳米尺度的生物系统。“更广泛的影响：这个项目将产生更广泛的影响。 使用固态纳米纤维来解决生物和化学问题的进展将以影响生物科学领域的方式增强研究基础设施，而不仅仅是基于细胞因子的运动或蛋白质结晶。 青年受训科学家参与这一跨学科环境，将有助于培养一批未来的科学家，他们具备必要的知识和文化及技术技能，能够成功地从事新的多学科科学和技术。 本科生也将参与这项研究，包括来自纽约市地区少数民族入学人数较多的院校的学生。 首席研究员将利用他作为纽约市公立高中教师的经验，将外联工作扩展到K-12水平。

This proposal was received in response to Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF 04-043, category NIRT.This Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Team (NIRT) project will create nanofabricated, biofunctionalized arrays to study the fundamental relationship between spatial order and function in biochemical systems. These 'nanoscale bioarrays' will be fabricated using leading edge nanofabrication technology to allow investigation of structure-function relationships on the molecular scale, i.e. a few to tens of nanometers. The arrays will be organized hierarchically, with unit cells (comprising one or more biofunctionalized 2-10 nm metal dots) organized into micron-sized domains, and patterned in mm-size areas. Each domain will comprise identical unit cells, and the unit cell geometry will be systematically varied from domain to domain, in order to allow for straightforward assay techniques on the micron scale. The nanoscale bioarray technique will be applied to three biological investigations: 1, the study of the dependence of binding of large cytoskeletal proteins on the spatial arrangement of ligands; 2, the study of the effect of ordering cytoplasmic dynein molecules on microtubule-dependent motility; 3, the seeding of protein crystals.Intellectual Merit:This project attempts to push the limits of nanofabrication technology in order to interface with biological systems. It will employ a "top-down" approach to study and control "bottom-up" assembly, function and synthesis of these systems. Each sub-project will use nanofabrication technology to extend a biological question or problem beyond where currently available techniques will allow. The project is organized around a central theme and fabrication technique, which will allow for rapid technology development. The project addresses the research and education theme "Biosystems at the Nanoscale."Broader Impacts:This project will have many broader impacts. The advances in the use of solid-state nanofabrication to address biological and chemical problems will enhance research infrastructure in ways that will impact areas of biological science beyond just cytoskeleton-based motility or protein crystallization. The participation of young scientists-in-training in this interdisciplinary environment will foster development of a cadre of future scientists with the necessary knowledge and cultural and technical skills to successfully pursue novel multidisciplinary science and technology. Undergraduate students will also participate in the research, including students drawn from institutions in the New York City area with significant minority enrollment. The Principal Investigator will draw on his experience as a New York City public high school teacher to extend outreach to the K-12 level.