Integrated motor protein-based nano-devices for biomolecular transport

利用马达蛋白的运动来运输生物分子需要方向控制。马达蛋白的化学-机械能量转换是高效的，一旦实现方向控制，就可以实现从递送、组装、分选和检测到微/纳米引擎和能量转导的广泛应用，用于全新一代的混合生物装置。我们的努力是开发一种方法，将具有从一个位置到一个目标位置的特定蛋白质的运输的适用性，为安全，健康或环境应用的进一步操纵。 要开发的一般方法是基于在无机衬底上的功能化微米/纳米尺寸的图案化路径。 微图案将沿着与局部流场开发，以在选定的表面上排列和对齐F-肌动蛋白，其中一个结构极性附着在基底上。这种方法将使肌球蛋白涂层的穿梭粒子，如珠，纳米线和纳米管，在那里特定的货物可以绑定和运输的单向运动。智力优点：在纳米尺度上开发运输系统的理解和能力是至关重要的，将使探索和工程这一新的前沿的能力。 拟议的研究旨在开发适用于由马达蛋白推动的货物运输系统。工程化途径将通过肌动蛋白的定向组装、选择性分子微图案化和光反应聚合物合成来实现。通过本研究获得的知识包括特定流场的产生和混合装置集成。 通过这项工作获得的更广泛的理解将为自主运输和驱动系统的未来应用奠定基础，无论是纳米级的生物还是合成。更广泛的影响：拟议的研究工作旨在建立由微电子/芯片环境内的纳米级生物分子马达驱动的货物运输的基本框架。拟议的工作将研究纳米通道和轨道的基本性质，用于运输目的。 考虑到混合纳米系统中电气和生物组件的不可避免的整合，关于微/纳米轨道运动测定中的蛋白质-珠-货物-肌球蛋白穿梭系统与其活力之间的关系所获得的知识对于超出该基础研究的广泛研究领域是有价值的。 这项工作预计将对工程，生理和生物学研究产生影响，作为生理分子运输的工作模型。 与纳米技术前景相关的一个挑战是培训支持其发展和实施所需的劳动力。这种培训的内在跨学科性质并没有得到传统的学术，学科为基础的计划很好地解决。该提案的活动为整合学生在不同领域的教育经验提供了机会，包括微制造，生物化学，纳米技术，微流体，物理和化学。 该项目的教育推广计划将通过向高中生和新生介绍实验室的前沿研究，并通过为本科研究人员，特别是妇女和少数民族等代表性不足的群体提供机会，在最先进的环境中进行前沿，真正的研究，来激励下一代跨学科科学家。

Harnessing the motion of motor proteins for transporting biomolecules requires directional control. The chemo-mechanical energy conversion of motor proteins is highly efficient and once directional control is achieved, a broad range of applications from delivery, assembly, sorting and detection to micro/nano-engines and energy transduction can be realized for a whole new generation of hybrid bio-devices. The effort is to develop a methodology that will have applicability on the transport of specific proteins from one location to a targeted location for further manipulation for security, health or environmental applications. The general approach to be developed is based on functionalized micro/nano-sized patterning pathways on an inorganic substrate. Micro-patterning will be developed along with localized flow fields to arrange and align F-actin on selected surfaces with one structural polarity attached to the substrate. This approach will give unidirectional movement of myosin coated shuttle particles such as beads, nanowires and nanotubes, where specific cargo can be bound and transported.Intellectual merit: The understanding and ability to develop transportation systems at nano-scale is of paramount importance and will enable the capability to explore and engineer this new frontier. The proposed research aims to develop transport systems suitable for cargo delivery which are propelled by motor proteins. Engineered pathways will be accomplished by means of orientated assembly of actin protein, selective molecular micropatterning and photoreactive polymer synthesis. The knowledge to be gained through this research includes generation of specific flow fields and hybrid device integration. The broader understanding gained through this work will lay foundation for the future applications of autonomous transport and actuation systems, whether biological or synthetic in nature at nano-scale. Broader impact: The proposed research effort seeks to establish the underlying framework for cargo transport powered by nano-scale biomolecular motors from within a microelectronic/chip environment. The proposed work will examine fundamental properties of nano pathways and tracks for transport purposes. Given the inevitable integration of electrical and biological components in hybrid nano-systems, the knowledge gained about the relationship between the protein-bead-cargo-myosin shuttle system in micro/nano-tracks motility assays and their viability, is valuable to a wide range of research fields beyond this fundamental study. This work is anticipated to have an impact on engineering, physiological and biological research, as a working model of physiological molecular transport. A challenge associated with the promise of nanotechnology is training the workforce needed to support its advancement and implementation. The inherent interdisciplinary nature of this training is not well addressed by traditional academic, discipline-based programs. The activities of this proposal offer opportunities for integrating students' educational experience across diverse areas including microfabrication, biochemistry, nanotechnology, microfluidics, physics, and chemistry. The educational outreach program of this project will serve to motivate the next generation of cross-disciplinary scientists by introducing high school students and freshmen to cutting edge research in laboratories, and by providing undergraduate researchers, especially underrepresented groups including women and minorities, the opportunity to conduct cutting edge, genuine research in a state-of-the-art setting.