Collaborative Research: Ionic Amplifiers for Biosensing

合作研究：用于生物传感的离子放大器

基本信息

批准号：
1803262
负责人：
Lane Baker
金额：
$ 19.81万
依托单位：
Indiana University
依托单位国家：
美国
项目类别：
Standard Grant
财政年份：
2018
资助国家：
美国
起止时间：
2018-07-01 至 2022-03-31
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1803262&HistoricalAwards=false
关键词：
Collaborative Research Ionic Amplifiers Biosensing

项目摘要

Nature has evolved complex pathways to amplify the signal from the detection of low concentrations of ions or molecules. A robust, man-made amplifier system with similar control and amplification of ionic and molecular signals as those achieved in Nature will be helpful for probing biological channels with ultra-low conductivities (like those important in diabetes) and understanding biological processes. Inspired by biology, this research will focus on development of the first steps to prepare ionic circuits with amplifying properties built on the principles of both electronic integrated circuits and Nature?s signaling pathways. Prototypes of ionic circuits will be prepared using nanopores with controlled geometry and surface chemistry as the building blocks. The investigators chose nanopores as building blocks, because biological channels and pores in a biological cell create the first step of biological amplification. The interdisciplinary program will create an excellent training environment for graduate and undergraduate students. Visits of students from local schools at both universities are also planned with hands-on activities on nanotechnology and biosensing.The overarching goal of the research is to design a generic route for ionic amplification and building ionic transistors with millisecond response time for biosensing applications. Nanopores in various materials including silicon nitride, polymer films and glass nanopipettes will be rendered ionic transistors by tuning their surface characteristics and geometries. The nanoporous transistors will be three terminal systems, which will function according to principles similar to those of semiconductor-based transistors. In the ionic systems constructed, instead of electrons, anions will carry negative charge, and, instead of holes, cations will carry positive charge. Nanoscale dimensions of the system are required for a quick temporal response, as movement of only a few ions or molecules will lead to changes in the measured signal. Connecting two ionic transistors in a circuit will lead to preparation of an ionic equivalent of a Darlington amplifier, where current gain is equal to a product of amplifications of the two component transistors. Application of the Darlington amplifier to probe ion channels with ultralow conductivities will be demonstrated as well. Preparation of an ionic differential amplifier will also be explored. With these amplifiers, in principle, thousand-fold amplification might be achieved, making measuring femto-Ampere currents accessible.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

自然已经发展出复杂的途径，以从低浓度的离子或分子的检测中扩增信号。具有相似控制和对离子和分子信号的放大的健壮的人造放大器系统与自然界中的离子和分子信号相似，将有助于探测具有超低导率的生物学通道（例如在糖尿病中很重要的）并了解生物学过程。受到生物学的启发，这项研究将集中于制定基于电子综合电路和自然信号通路的原理的放大特性的第一步制备离子电路的第一步。将使用具有控制的几何形状和表面化学作为组成块的纳米孔来制备离子电路的原型。研究人员选择纳米孔作为基础，因为生物学细胞中的生物通道和毛孔创造了生物学扩增的第一步。跨学科计划将为研究生和本科生创造出色的培训环境。还计划通过对纳米技术和生物传感的动手活动来访问当地学校的学生。研究的总体目标是为离子放大的通用途径设计，并用毫秒响应时间来建立离子晶体管的生物透射时间。各种材料中的纳米孔（包括氮化硅，聚合物膜和玻璃纳米夹）将通过调整其表面特性和几何形状来渲染离子晶体管。纳米多孔晶体管将是三个终端系统，该系统将根据与基于半导体的晶体管相似的原理起作用。在构建的离子系统中，阴离子将带有负电荷，而阳离子将带有正电荷。快速的时间响应需要系统的纳米级尺寸，因为仅几个离子或分子的运动将导致测量信号的变化。在电路中连接两个离子晶体管将导致制备达灵顿放大器的离子等效物，其中电流增益等于两个组分晶体管的放大产物。还将证明达灵顿放大器在具有超低电导率的探测离子通道上的应用。还将探讨离子差分放大器的准备。通过这些放大器，原则上可以实现数千倍的扩增，从而可以访问Femto-Ampere电流。该奖项反映了NSF的法定任务，并通过使用该基金会的知识分子优点和更广泛的影响审查标准来评估NSF的法定任务。