CAREER: Nano-plasmonic Scanning Probe and Microsystems for Controlled Genetic Perturbation

职业：用于受控遗传扰动的纳米等离子体扫描探针和微系统

• 批准号: 0846313
• 负责人: Xiaojing Zhang
• 金额: $ 40万
• 依托单位: University of Texas at Austin
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-03-01 至 2014-02-28
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0846313&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: CAREER; Nano; plasmonic; Scanning; Probe

The objective of this research is to integrate nanophotonics with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to understand the regulation of gene expression under controlled perturbations. The approach is to develop luminous scanning probe-based platform for light transmission, concentration and live imaging at the tip. By adjusting the light intensity, one can directly perturb sub-cellular structures through nano-surgery or micro-ablation. Through the integrated near-field scanning optical microscopy, one can observe in real time the evolution of gene expression in live embryos during perturbation. The measurement data will set the foundation for an electronic library of gene expressions correlated to distinct perturbations. This research will develop, for the first time, a versatile microsystem with tip-light manipulation, enhancement, probe actuation and sensing, and near-field imaging functions. Perturbing the microenvironment is a complementary approach to modifying the genetic components of the developmental network. Using nanophotonic microsystems with unprecedented accuracy, this research can lead to significant advancement in the understanding of mechanisms crucial for robust development and engineering of substrates to guide organism development with controllable genetic characteristics. This research can be of broader use on integrating heterogeneous nanosystems. It will also have a profound impact on biomedicine to enhance understanding of how environment-introduced ?errors? in gene action may lead to birth defects and cancer. The program has multiple integral educational initiatives, including the development of new teaching modules on nanophotonic Microsystems, cross-training of life science students at the frontiers of device engineering; and the establishment of ?Young Biomedical Engineers?(y-BME) program to recruit minority and female students.

这项研究的目的是将纳米光子学与微机电系统 (MEMS) 相结合，以了解受控扰动下基因表达的调节。该方法是开发基于发光扫描探针的平台，用于尖端的光传输、集中和实时成像。通过调节光强度，人们可以通过纳米手术或微消融直接扰乱亚细胞结构。通过集成的近场扫描光学显微镜，人们可以实时观察扰动过程中活胚胎中基因表达的演变。测量数据将为与不同扰动相关的基因表达电子库奠定基础。这项研究将首次开发一种多功能微系统，具有尖端光操纵、增强、探针驱动和传感以及近场成像功能。扰动微环境是修改发育网络遗传成分的补充方法。这项研究使用具有前所未有的精度的纳米光子微系统，可以在理解对于基质的稳健开发和工程至关重要的机制的理解方面取得重大进展，以指导具有可控遗传特征的生物体发育。这项研究可以在集成异质纳米系统方面具有更广泛的用途。它还将对生物医学产生深远的影响，以增强对环境如何引入“错误”的理解。基因作用可能导致出生缺陷和癌症。该计划有多项综合教育举措，包括开发纳米光子微系统的新教学模块、对生命科学学生进行设备工程前沿的交叉培训；并建立“青年生物医学工程师”（y-BME）计划来招收少数民族和女性学生。