A micro/nanotechnology based approach enabling definite and quantitative studies of biotransport phenomena in microvascular networks

微纳米技术作为一种使能工具，大大扩展了我们以高时间和空间分辨率控制局部微环境的能力，以及以高生化选择性和灵敏度进行定量测量的能力。当我们应用最先进的微/纳米技术来解决传统生物医学研究中经常出现的规模挑战时，研究面临着前所未有的机会。 在这一应用中，我们将开发一种新的微/纳米技术支持的方法，这将在很大程度上促进微循环层面的生物运输研究。微循环在组织和血液之间交换气体、营养物质和废物，在生命系统中发挥着核心作用。另一方面，微血管功能障碍导致脓毒症时组织缺氧和器官衰竭，并与高血压、肥胖症和糖尿病等疾病相互作用。这项拟议的研究将能够通过良好控制和局部的化学输送对微血管反应和血流调节进行定量测量。如此详细的生物转运信息将极大地促进我们对微循环生理学的理解。此外，我们将在这个项目中开发的生物技术和我们将学到的知识将进一步应用于心血管疾病的临床诊断、药物发现和治疗。最终，这项拟议的研究将使加拿大的医疗保健受益。

Micro/nanotechnology, as an enabling tool, has significantly extended our capability to control local microenvironment with high temporal and spatial resolution, and to conduct quantitative measurements with high biochemical selectivity and sensitivity. There are unprecedented opportunities for research when we apply state-of-the-art micro/nanotechnology to solve the scale challenges that often occur in traditional biomedical studies. In this application, we will develop a novel micro/nanotechnology-enabled approach that will largely facilitate biotransport research at the microcirculation level. Exchanging gases, nutrients and waste products between tissue and blood, microcirculation play a central role in living systems. On the other hand, microvascular dysfunction causes tissue hypoxia and organ failure in sepsis and interplays with diseases such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes. The proposed research will enable quantitative measurements on microvascular response and blood flow regulation through well-controlled and localized chemical delivery. Such detailed biotransport information will significantly advance our understanding of physiology in microcirculation. Additionally the biotechnology to be developed and knowledge that we will learn in this project will further be applied to clinical diagnostics, drug discovery and therapeutics of cardiovascular disease. Eventually the proposed research will benefit health care in Canada.