NSEC on Molecular Function at the Nano/Bio Interface

宾夕法尼亚大学的纳米科学与工程中心(NSEC)，即纳米/生物界面中心(NBIC)，设计和控制分子功能，量化单个分子的行为和有机/无机界面上的相互作用，为理解物理和生物系统的界面奠定基础。NSEC联合了来自五个学院(工程与应用科学学院、医学院、文理学院、沃顿商学院和教育研究生院)的研究人员，不仅为生命科学提供了新的方向，而且还为工程学提供了双向流动，这对充分实现生物学与纳米技术的交叉的好处至关重要。一个综合性的项目利用基础研究企业作为课程开发、大学预科教育项目、面向社区和商业化的平台。两个多学科研究团队专注于：合成生物分子的光电子功能和来自生理系统的分子的机械运动。在每个区域中，物理接口探测、控制或影响结果。一项交叉倡议将开发纳米级测量工具的研究人员聚集在一起，以产生分子功能探针的下一波创新，并使两个团队的研究得以实现。为了实现这些进步，NBIC建立了纳米/生物探测器设施。纳米/生物探测器创新设施组装了一套全面的使能研究工具，以支持原本难以或不可能持续的研究互动。该设施是宾夕法尼亚大学独有的，在那里，研究界可以获得在探测单分子和纳米结构行为方面的最新进展。该设施于2005年开业，目前拥有80多名用户。NBIC建立并领导了一大批教育项目。这个辅修纳米技术的本科生现在为来自3所学校的70名学生提供服务，并有来自所有工程系的代表。纳米技术研究生证书招生人数为20人。一年一度的夏季高中学院提供纳米技术住宿项目，每年招收约25名学生。NBIC外联的一个强烈主题是解决费城地区大学前教师的专业发展问题。其中一个亮点是与德雷克塞尔大学合作的教师研究经验(RET)计划。与阿拉巴马州立大学的合作已经建立了一些项目，以影响未来科学家和工程师的培养。在一年一度的宾夕法尼亚NanoDay@Penn上，各种社区外联活动得到了强调。

The Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center (NSEC) at the University of Pennsylvania, the Nano/Bio Interface Center (NBIC), designs and controls molecular functionality, quantifies behavior of individual molecules and interactions at organic/inorganic interfaces to establish the foundation for understanding the interface of physical and biological systems. The NSEC unites investigators from five schools (the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Medicine, the School of Arts and Sciences, Wharton Business School, and the Graduate School of Education) to provide, not only new directions for the life sciences but also for engineering, in a two-way flow essential to fully realizing the benefits of the intersection of biology with nanotechnology. A comprehensive program uses fundamental research enterprises as a platform for curriculum development, pre-college educational programs, out reach to the community, and commercialization.Two multi disciplinary research teams are focused on: optoelectronic function in synthetic biomolecules and mechanical motion of molecules from physiological systems. In each area physical interfaces probe, control, or influence the outcome. A cross-cutting initiative brings together investigators who develop nanoscale measurement tools to produce the next wave of innovation in probes of molecular function and enables research in both teams. To enable these advances the NBIC has established the Nano/Bio Probe Facility. The Nano/Bio Probe Innovation Facility assembles a comprehensive set of enabling research tools to support research interactions that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to sustain. The Facility is unique to Penn, where the newest advances in probing single molecule and nanostructure behavior are made available to the research community. The facility opened in 2005 and now has over 80 users. The NBIC established and leads a large portfolio of educational programs. An undergraduate minor in Nanotechnology now serves 70 students from 3 schools and with representation from all engineering departments. The graduate certificate in Nanotechnology has an enrolment of 20 students. An annual summer high school academy offers a residential program on Nanotechnology that obtains enrollment of ~25 students/year. A strong theme of NBIC outreach addresses professional development of pre-college teachers in the Philadelphia region. A highlight is the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program that is a collaboration with Drexel University. A partnership with Alabama State University has established programs to impact the pipeline of future scientists and engineers. A variety of community outreach activities are highlighted at the annual NanoDay@Penn.