GOALI: Nanothermite Based Micro Shockwave Generators and Nanoparticles for Targeted and Efficient Gene/Drug Delivery

用于靶向和高效药物脱除剂的纳米级微冲击波发生器和纳米器件本研究的目的是将纳米热剂与微电子机械系统(MEMS)相结合，开发一种新型的数字控制微冲击波发生器。该方法是基于纳米铝热还原反应产生的冲击波。冲击波用于将基因和/或药物传递到细胞中，具有高的转染率和细胞存活率。此外，现场合成的有机硅酸盐纳米颗粒将被用作通过冲击波进行有效和靶向传递的载体。建议的小型化系统将覆盖具有不同机械性能和/或环境的各种细胞和组织渗透所需的大脉冲范围。不同于依赖于笨重和昂贵的仪器或化学输送方法的低转染效率的物理基因输送方法，所提出的基于MEMS的冲击波发生器--单独或与纳米颗粒结合--将在单细胞水平产生冲击波相互作用和药物输送，提供前所未有的对细胞转染过程的控制。这项拟议的研究有望改变人们对健康和疾病中生物过程的研究和理解，并使新的诊断和干预成为可能。教育目标包括招收地区性大学项目的学生，包括主要招收黑人和西班牙裔学生的学生，以及夏令营？纳米营？为高中生准备的。本科生和研究生，特别是来自密苏里州农村地区的本科生和研究生，将接受培训，以发展领导力、所有权、指导、职业技能和创业精神，为21世纪的劳动力做好准备。

GOALI: NANOTHERMITE BASED MICRO SHOCKWAVE GENERATORS ANDNANOPARTICLES FOR TARGETED AND EFFICIENT DRUG DELIVERYThe objective of this research is to develop a novel digitally controlled micro shockwavegenerator by integrating nanothermites with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). Theapproach is based on shockwaves from redox reactions of nanothermites. The shockwaves areused to deliver genes and/or drugs into cells with high transfection efficiency and cell survival.Furthermore, organosilicate nanoparticles synthesized on site will be utilized as an effective andtargeted delivery vehicle via the shockwave.Intellectual Merit. The proposed miniaturized systems will cover the large impulse rangenecessary for permeabilization of a variety of cells and tissues with different mechanicalproperties and/or environments. Unlike physical gene delivery methods which rely on bulky andexpensive instrumentation or chemical delivery methods that exhibit low transfection efficiency,the proposed MEMS-based shockwave generator -- alone or in combination with nanoparticles -- will produce shockwave interactions and drug delivery at the single cell level, providingunprecedented control over cell transfection processes.Broader Impacts. The proposed research is expected to transform the study and understandingof biological processes in health and disease, and enable novel diagnostics and interventions.Educational objectives include recruitment of students from regional college programs, includingthose with predominantly Black and Hispanic enrollment and a summer ?Nano Camp? for highschool students. Undergraduate and graduate students, particularly from rural areas of Missouriwill be trained to develop leadership, ownership, mentoring, career skills and entrepreneurship toprepare them for the 21st century work force.