EXP-LA: Olfactory Receptor Cell-Based Detection of Explosives

本研究项目的目的是开发一种基于哺乳动物嗅觉神经元(OSNs)气味感知的小型化爆炸物检测系统。这将通过制造一个集成的微系统来实现，在该系统上培养和监测OSN。通过检测OSNs产生的电信号，将有可能实现对爆炸物中存在的痕量化合物的高灵敏度、高特异度、高速、隔离检测。这项研究有望将生物成分添加到传统的传感器微系统中，这将对许多应用产生革命性的影响。这项研究将确定和开发解决实现基于细胞的传感器所面临的技术挑战的方法。此外，它还将提供一个科学工具来回答一些关于哺乳动物嗅觉的悬而未决的问题。更广泛的影响更广泛的影响之一是，除了简易爆炸装置检测外，基于细胞的化学传感器将有多种应用：监测食品和空气、基于气味的医疗诊断、机场的药物检测和药品筛选。其他更广泛的影响将是通过新课程对这一领域的学生进行教育，并通过为包括科学、历史和艺术在内的一系列学科的中学教师举办讲习班，提高人们对纳米-微型-信息-生物领域尖端技术的认识。

The objective of this research project is to develop a miniaturized system for detecting explosives based on odorant sensing using mammalian olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). This will be achieved by fabricating an integrated microsystem on which OSNs are cultured and monitored. By detecting the electrical signals produced by OSNs, it would be possible to achieve high-sensitivity, high-specificity, high-speed, stand-off detection of trace amounts of compounds present in explosives. Intellectual Merit The research is expected to add biological components to traditional sensor microsystems, which will be transformative for many applications. This research will identify and develop means for solving the technical challenges facing the realization of cell-based sensors. In addition, it will provide a scientific tool to answer a number of outstanding questions about mammalian olfaction. Broader ImpactsOne of the broader impacts is that cell-based chemical sensors would have diverse applications, outside of IED detection: monitoring food and air, odor-based medical diagnosis, drug detection in airports, and screening of pharmaceuticals. Other broader impacts will be the education of students in this area through new courses, and raising awareness about the cutting edge in the nano-micro-info-bio fields through workshops for middle-school teachers in a range of disciplines, including science, history, and art.