Electrochemical Imaging with Ion Channels

该研究项目由化学部的化学测量和成像计划资助。印第安纳州大学的莱恩·贝克教授正在开发新的工具，以测量比单个细胞更小的尺度上的离子、分子和蛋白质的微小浓度。为了应对这一挑战，正在建造新的仪器，利用先进的信号处理和新的化学和生物化学传感器。化学选择性成像提供了与神经通讯和伤口愈合相关的新的纳米级信息。 这项研究促进了对分子生物学的理解，并反过来为改善人类健康和治疗疾病的努力提供信息。在这个项目中培训的学生学习最先进的制造，测量和表征协议，这增加了他们的高水平的技术技能。这种教育提高了他们毕业后对STEM劳动力的贡献。此外，还在努力改善本科生和研究生教育，并让当地社区参与科学推广活动。该项目的重点是在纳米尺度上利用化学选择性进行传感和成像，这是现代生物分析化学的一个重要目标。这一目标是通过在扫描离子电导显微镜（SICM）的探针尖端集成离子通道来实现的。一个SICM与离子通道隔离在尖端开发作为一个成像平台设计的现场可编程门阵列（FPGA）处理器周围。这是一个新的工具，调查当地，时间释放的高价值，但难以研究生物分析物。所开发的仪器用于探测分化的PC12细胞中神经递质的局部分布和释放以及上皮创伤模型中的瞬时离子浓度。更广泛的影响集中在两个具体目标上。第一个目标是开发新的方法来教分析化学在研究生和本科生水平。这包括仪器建设（3D打印机建设）和印第安纳州大学，普渡大学和圣母大学之间的区域研究生分析化学课程的开发。第二个目标是充分利用印第安纳州大学电化学学会（ECS）学生分会的外联活动。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This research project is funded by the Chemical Measurements and Imaging program of the Division of Chemistry. Professor Lane Baker of Indiana University is developing new tools to measure very small concentrations of ions, molecules, and proteins at scales that are smaller than an individual cell. To meet this challenge, new instruments are being constructed that make use of advanced signal processing and new chemical and biochemical sensors. Chemically selective imaging provides new nanoscale information related to nerve communication and wound healing. This research advances the understanding of molecular biology, and in turn informs efforts to improve human health and the treatment of disease. Students trained in this project learn state-of-the-art fabrication, measurement and characterization protocols, which add to their high-level technical skills. This education enhances their contributions to the STEM workforce upon their graduation. In addition, efforts to improve education at the undergraduate and graduate level, and to engage the local community in science outreach are underway.This project focuses on sensing and imaging with chemical selectivity at the nanoscale, a significant goal for modern bioanalytical chemistry. This objective is accomplished by integrating ion channels at the probe tip in scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM). An SICM with ion channels sequestered at the tip is developed as an imaging platform designed around a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) processor. This is a new tool to investigate local, temporal release of high-value, but difficult to study biological analytes. The developed instrumentation is used to probe local distribution and release of neurotransmitters in differentiated PC12 cells as well as the transient ion concentration in epithelial wound models. Broader impacts focus on two specific aims. The first aim is the development of new ways to teach analytical chemistry at the graduate and undergraduate level. This includes the inclusion of instrument building (3D printer construction) and development of a regional graduate analytical chemistry course between Indiana University, Purdue University and the University of Notre Dame. The second aim is to make full use of outreach activities with the student Electrochemical Society (ECS) chapter at Indiana University.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.