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Research at the interface between nanoscience and biology has the potential to produce
breakthroughs in both fundamental science and possibly lead to revolutionary technologies.
Indeed, these two broad areas of science share a number of natural connections ranging from
the similar size scales of building blocks and the common theme of bottom-up organization
for producing systems to the complementary functional strengths of inorganic versus biological
materials. We have active growing efforts in this rich and interdisciplinary area, including
the following project areas:
Biological/Chemical Sensing. We have pioneered the underlying science and
application of nanoscale field-effect transistors for real-time label-free electrical detection
of biological and chemical species in fluid solution. Nanowire devices represent nearly ideal
sensor elements since their sizes are matched to that of biological macromolecules. Current
interests are focused primarily on detection within the context of biological systems, although
our projects range from ones pushing fundamental limits of detection to application of these
devices to important biological problems such as detection of diseases and biowarfare agents.
- Single particle detection. We are investigating the fundamental limits
of detection using nanowire field-effect devices. The goals are to develop electrically-based
single molecule detection systems that complement existing optical methods, and could have
impact on both sensing and biophysics. This work is being done in collaboration with
Professor Xiaowei Zhuang's group.
- Large-scale addressable arrays. Considerable effort is being placed on the
development of addressable nanowire sensor arrays, including assembly, efficient interconnection,
development of methods for efficient measurement, and elaboration of diverse receptor arrays.
This work has strong links to efforts within the group focused on hierarchical assembly and
integrated nanoelectronics/computing.
- Detection of disease biomarkers. We are exploring the use of nanowire sensor
devices for detection of distinct types of biological markers that can be used for real-time
diagnosis of diseases such as cancer. This work has as a goal to define science underlying a
universal device that could be used for robust diagnosis and treatment of diseases from
literally a drop of sample.
- Small molecule detection. We are also investigating the detection of several
classes of small organic molecules, including small molecule/protein interactions, which are
central to screening for drugs.
Click on the image to see a movie of a single virus binding to a sensor array.
Nanodevice-Cell Hybrid Structures. Nanowire sensors can convert the presence/absence
of biological and chemical species into electronic information, and thus represent a means for
creating a natural interface between biological systems such as cells, which communicate with
chemical signals, and nanoelectronic systems. We have an active and growing program investigating
this interface in several types of cells with a goal of creating systems that can process
information using the unique attributes of both the biological and nanoelectronic components.
Assembly & Interconnection. We are also pursuing efforts that merge other
complementary attributes of biology and nanotechnology. We are exploring the use of specific
biomolecular interactions available in protein and protein/small molecule systems, to direct in
a highly specific manner reversible and irreversible organization of nanostructures. Moreover,
we are exploring biological systems as a means for 'building' new types of two-dimensional and
three-dimensional interconnections between functional nanostructures and nanostructure arrays.
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