Nebraska 2010-15 RII Project: Nanohybrid Materials & Algal Biology

提案编号：epps -1004094提案标题：内布拉斯加州2010-15 RII项目：纳米混合材料和藻类生物学机构：内布拉斯加州大学该项目通过利用内布拉斯加州在纳米材料和藻类生物学方面的核心优势，投资于两个具有地方和国家重要性的独立研究领域。它建议建立两个卓越的跨学科研究中心：纳米混合功能材料中心和内布拉斯加州藻类生物学和生物技术中心。这些中心预计将汇集来自7个学科的29名教员的专业知识，共同解决重要的基础科学问题，这些问题也与国家和国家科学基金会在纳米科学和能源方面的优先事项保持一致。这个项目吗?参与机构包括：内布拉斯加大学林肯分校、克雷顿大学、多恩学院、内布拉斯加大学科尔尼分校、内布拉斯加大学医学中心、小祭司部落学院和内布拉斯加大学印第安社区学院。纳米杂化中心提出将分子尺度识别元素（如DNA、染料或适体）与由三维有序纳米结构组成的支架结合起来的纳米杂化材料的新传感原理。新的杂化材料有望具有独特的化学和物理性能。这些新特性可能在健康诊断、环境监测和国内安全方面提供尚未被忽视的应用潜力。在不能用于粮食作物生产的土地上，藻类具有提供大量以脂质为基础的生物燃料的巨大潜力。由于对调节藻类生长的遗传和生化因素及其积累脂质的能力的了解有限，藻类用于生物燃料的商业用途尚未实现。藻类中心将通过对藻类的生物学和代谢进行基础研究来解决这一障碍。目前可用的藻类只展示了其基因组中遗传潜力的一小部分，而且对基本藻类生物学的了解也非常有限。通过为科学家、工程师和私营行业伙伴提供合作机会，该项目提议大幅推进纳米混合材料、藻类生物学和生物技术领域的知识基础。这些领域的研究在健康诊断、环境监测、国内安全以及可再生能源和生态友好型能源生产方面具有巨大的应用发展潜力。该项目将：1)通过大学-产业研发伙伴计划发展公私合作，最终资助小企业创新研究和小企业技术转让；2)通过内布拉斯加州工程、科学和技术实习计划促进技术转让；3)与当地和国家的技术公司建立以项目为中心的关系。该项目还将在内布拉斯加州培养未来的科学家，并通过“未被充分代表的机会投资组合”（Underrepresented Opportunity Portfolio）提高未被充分代表的群体在生物科学、工程和其他STEM领域的参与度。研究成果将通过会议、报告、互动网站和neepscor外展计划进行传播。

Proposal Number: EPS-1004094 Proposal Title: Nebraska 2010-15 RII Project: Nanohybrid Materials & Algal Biology Institution: University of Nebraska This project invests in two independent research areas of local and national importance by capitalizing on Nebraska's core strengths in nanomaterials and algal biology. It proposes to establish two interdisciplinary research centers of excellence: the Center for Nanohybrid Functional Materials and the Nebraska Center for Algal Biology and Biotechnology. These centers are expected to assemble the expertise of 29 faculty members from seven disciplines to collaboratively address important fundamental science questions that also align with state and NSF priorities in nanoscience and energy. The project?s participating institutions are: the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Creighton University, Doane College, University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Little Priest Tribal College, and Nebraska Indian Community College.Intellectual Merit The Nanohybrid Center proposes to pursue new sensing principles for nanohybrid materials that combine molecular scale recognition elements (such as DNA, dyes, or aptamers) with scaffolds composed of 3D ordered nanostructures. The new hybrid materials are anticipated to have unique chemical and physical properties. These novel features may offer yet unglimpsed potential for applications in health diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and domestic security. Algae have tremendous potential for providing large quantities of lipid-based biofuels on land unusable for production of food crops. The commercial use of algae for biofuels has yet to be realized because of the limited knowledge of the genetic and biochemical factors that regulate the growth of algae and their ability to accumulate lipids. The Algal Center would address this barrier by conducting basic research on the biology and metabolism of algae. Algae available today exhibit only a small portion of the genetic potential that lies within their genomes, and knowledge of fundamental algal biology is woefully limited. Broader Impacts By providing collaborative opportunities for scientists, engineers, and private industry partners, this project proposes to dramatically advance the knowledge base in the areas of nanohybrid materials and algal biology and biotechnology. The proposed research in these fields holds great potential for the development of applications in health diagnostics, environmental monitoring, domestic security, and renewable and ecologically friendly energy production. The project would: 1) develop public-private collaborations through the University-Industry R&D Partnership Program, culminating in Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grants; 2) promote technology transfer through the Nebraska Engineering, Science, and Technology Internship Program; and 3) form project-focused relationships with local and national technology companies. This project also would develop a pipeline of future scientists across Nebraska and enhance participation of individuals from under-represented groups in the bioscience, engineering, and other STEM fields through the Underrepresented Opportunity Portfolio. Research findings would be disseminated through conferences, presentations, interactive Web sites, and NE EPSCoR outreach programs.