Nanopore Arrays with Tunable Chemistry for Mimicking Feedback Loops

在化学系化学测量和成像(CMI)计划的支持下，加州大学欧文分校的Zuzanna Siwy教授将制造模拟反馈循环的纳米孔阵列。纳米孔是直径比人类头发的厚度小几千倍的孔，是生命系统中许多生理过程的基础，包括神经信号、视觉和听力等。生物纳米孔嵌入细胞膜，通常作为一个复杂的电路一起发挥作用。受生物学的启发，Siwy团队打算制造纳米孔阵列，其中单个纳米孔的位置和几何形状将受到控制。这些阵列将在模拟生物细胞功能的条件下在盐水溶液中发挥作用。这些阵列中的纳米孔相互作用，因此离子和水通过单个纳米孔的传输将取决于相邻纳米孔的存在、数量和化学性质。该阵列将允许制备具有感兴趣的传输特性的非常敏感的生物传感器和电路，这将使信号(例如分子的结合)能够在整个阵列上传播。这一研究项目将为不同的研究生群体提供多学科培训，并帮助为未来的STEM(科学、技术、工程和数学)劳动力做准备。根据这项奖励，Siwy小组将使用透射电子显微镜中的电子束来制备具有3个、6个和最多16个纳米孔的纳米孔阵列。该研究计划的重点将是提供可调纳米孔阵列的设计原则，其中纳米孔之间的相互作用可以通过纳米孔的位置和数量以及调节孔壁的电化学性质来控制。纳米孔阵列将与放置在纳米孔附近的纳米金电极集成在一起。电极将提供局部的电信号或化学信号，该信号将被阵列放大并在空间和时间上传播。将准备正反馈环路和负反馈环路的实例，其中局部信号(例如电极上的酶的产物)将分别导致阵列中的所有纳米孔逐渐打开或关闭。这种纳米孔阵列有可能模拟在伤口愈合和维持血压等过程中非常重要的生物反馈环，因此，既促进了下一代传感器的技术，也阐明了自然界分子水平反馈的机制。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

With support from the Chemical Measurement and Imaging (CMI) program in the Division of Chemistry, Professor Zuzanna Siwy of the University of California, Irvine will fabricate nanopore arrays that mimic feedback loops. Nanopores are holes with a diameter that is thousands of times smaller than the thickness of a human hair and are the basis of a multitude of physiological processes in living systems, including nerve signaling, vision and hearing among others. Biological nanopores are embedded in the cell membrane and often function together as a complex circuit. Inspired by biology, the Siwy group intends to fabricate nanopore arrays where the position and geometry of individual nanopores will be controlled. The arrays will function in aqueous solutions of salts in conditions that mimic functioning of a biological cell. Nanopores in these arrays interact with each other, such that transport of ions and water through individual nanopores will depend on the presence, number as well as chemical properties of neighboring nanopores. The arrays will allow preparation of very sensitive biological sensors and circuits with interesting transport properties, which will enable spreading of a signal, such as a binding of a molecule, over the whole array. This research project will provide multidisciplinary training for a diverse group of graduate students and help to prepare the future STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) workforce. Under this award, the Siwy group will prepare nanopore arrays with 3, 6, and up 16 nanopores using an electron beam in a transmission electron microscope. The focus of the research program will be to provide design principles for tunable nanopore arrays where interactions between nanopores can be controlled through position and number of nanopores as well as tuning electrochemical properties of the pore walls. The nanopore arrays will be integrated with a nanoscopic gold electrode placed in the proximity of the nanopores. The electrode will provide a localized electrical or chemical signal that will be amplified and propagated by the array in space and time. Examples of positive and negative feedback loops will be prepared where the local signal such as a product of an enzyme at the electrode will cause either gradual opening or closing of all nanopores in the array, respectively. Such nanopore arrays have the potential to will mimic biological feedback loops important in processes such as wound healing and maintaining blood pressure and, as such, both advance the technology for next generation sensors, but also shed light on the mechanisms of molecular level feedback in Nature.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.