Electrochemical/Optical Nanoprobes for High-Resolution Chemical Analysis at Neuronal Microenvironment

用于神经元微环境高分辨率化学分析的电化学/光学纳米探针

• 批准号: 0242561
• 负责人: Shigeru Amemiya
• 金额: $ 37.02万
• 依托单位: University of Pittsburgh
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2003
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2003-05-01 至 2006-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0242561&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Electrochemical; Optical; Nanoprobes; Resolution; Chemical

This award supports development of an instrument that combines near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) with the goal of localizing specific chemicals at the surface of single neurons. Signal transmission in the central nervous system is mediated by specific chemical messengers; thus the measurement of concentration distributions of chemical species in neuronal microenvironments is critically important to improving understanding of neurotransmission and brain function. Because signaling events occur at highly localized areas whose dimensions are less than several hundred nanometers, commonly used electrochemical and optical techniques are limited by electrode size (1 micron) and by the wavelength of light. In addition, neuronal processes are highly complicated chemical events, so that simultaneous monitoring of various analytes by the combination of two or more techniques is frequently required. Synchronization of the spatial-temporal resolution of the techniques, however, is so difficult that the observed events usually lack one-to-one correspondence. The approach to be taken will overcome these difficulties through development of nanoprobes that can serve as both a light source and also an electrode. The multi-functionality allows for electrochemical and optical measurements at the same time and same location. This project explores the use of selectively etched optical fibers as a basis of electrochemical/optical nanoprobes. The etching technique allows for reproducible fabrication of optical fibers with a tip diameter of less than 10 nm. By taking advantages of the sharp fibers, electrochemical/optical nanoprobes with an active area of 100 nm in diameter will be designed and constructed. Once constructed, the tips will be tested for near-field optical imaging of single neuronal vesicles using electrochemical regulation of the probe - sample distance. The project will provide an opportunity for training of both undergraduate and graduate students in an interdisciplinary environment and, if successful, lead to new technology that can be exploited broadly in neuroscience and cell biology.

该奖项支持将近场扫描光学显微镜（NSOM）和扫描电化学显微镜（SECM）与将特定化学物质定位在单个神经元表面定位的仪器的开发。 中枢神经系统中的信号传递是由特定的化学信使介导的。因此，在神经元微环境中，化学物质的浓度分布的测量对于改善对神经传递和脑功能的理解至关重要。由于信号事件发生在尺寸小于几百纳米的高度局部区域，因此通常使用的电化学和光学技术受电极尺寸（1微米）以及光的波长限制。此外，神经元过程是高度复杂的化学事件，因此经常需要通过两种或多种技术的组合同时监测各种分析物。 然而，该技术的时空分辨率的同步非常困难，以至于观察到的事件通常缺乏一对一的对应关系。 要采用的方法将通过开发既可以用作光源又是电极的纳米探针来克服这些困难。多功能性允许同时和相同位置进行电化学和光学测量。该项目探讨了选择性蚀刻光纤作为电化学/光学纳米探针的基础。蚀刻技术允许可重复制造尖端直径小于10 nm的光纤。通过具有锋利纤维的优势，将设计和构造直径为100 nm的电化学/光学纳米探针。 一旦构造，将使用探针样品距离的电化学调节对单个神经囊泡的近场光学成像进行测试。该项目将为在跨学科环境中培训本科和研究生的培训提供机会，如果成功的话，可以在神经科学和细胞生物学中广泛利用新技术。