Thin metal film sputtering system

该RTI支持的研究项目侧重于扫描探针表面等离子体共振（SPR）显微镜的开发和用于定量癌症蛋白的传统SPR传感器的改进。该传感技术将应用于细胞释放蛋白质的高灵敏度和空间分辨定量以及细胞形态的测量。为了进行扫描探针SPR显微镜，我们将在AFM悬臂梁的顶端建立微等离子体结构。因此，我们将通过调整各种实验参数来优化SPR微生物传感器的响应：悬臂材料和几何形状，金属薄膜（Au或Ag）及其厚度，以及数据分析方法。我们的发展将应用于一个模型系统，包括趋化因子信使蛋白的测量。趋化因子最近被确定为调节癌症生长和转移的信号机制的主要贡献者。具体来说，趋化因子CXCL12，参与乳腺癌转移将被研究。因此，开发用于趋化因子传感的扫描探针SPR显微镜将成为研究趋化因子在细胞水平上作用的工具。我们要求获得一个金属薄膜溅射镀膜机来完成我们的研究计划。该仪器将用于沉积厚度从1到60纳米不等的金属薄膜。该仪器是制造用于扫描探针SPR显微镜和传统SPR传感器的SPR传感器所必需的。钛、金或银薄膜将沉积在扫描探针SPR显微镜的AFM悬臂顶端，或沉积在传统SPR生物传感器的玻璃基板上。预计该金属薄膜溅射镀膜机的日常使用。获得一种金属薄膜溅射镀膜机对我们的研究计划的成功是必要的。

The research program to be supported by this RTI focuses on the development of scanning probe Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) microscopy and the improvement of conventional SPR sensors for the quantification of cancer proteins. The sensing technology will be applied for the highly sensitive and spatially-resolved quantification of proteins released by cells and measurement of cellular morphology. To perform scanning probe SPR microscopy, we will develop micro-plasmonic structures on the tip apex of AFM cantilevers. Hence, we will optimise the response of SPR microbiosensors by tuning various experimental parameters: cantilever material and geometry, thin metal film (Au or Ag) and its thickness, and data analysis methods. Our developments will be applied to a model system involving the measurement of chemokines messenger proteins. Chemokines have been recently identified as major contributors to the signalling mechanism regulating cancer growth and metastasis. Specifically, the chemokine CXCL12, involved in breast cancer metastasis will be investigated. Thus, developing scanning probe SPR microscopy for chemokine sensing will result in a tool to investigate the role of chemokines at the cellular level.We request the acquisition of a thin metal film sputter coater to accomplish our research program. This instrument will be used to deposit metallic thin films of thickness varying from 1 to 60 nm. This instrument is necessary to manufacture SPR sensors for scanning probe SPR microscopy and for conventional SPR sensors. Titanium, gold or silver films will be deposited onto the apex of AFM cantilevers for scanning probe SPR microscopy or onto glass substrates for conventional SPR biosensors. Daily use of the thin metal film sputter coater is anticipated. The acquisition of a thin metal film sputter coater is necessary to the success of our research program.