Probing molecular interactions on soft surfaces by scanning probe microscopy

通过扫描探针显微镜探测软表面上的分子相互作用

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-05700
• 负责人: She, Zhe
• 金额: $ 1.75万
• 依托单位: Queen's University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=748089
• 关键词: Probing; molecular; interactions; soft; surfaces

Detecting bacteria and infectious diseases keeps our drinking water safe and our hospitals germ-free. Detection methods currently used in hospitals are reliable and sensitive but take up to 5 days to get results, which allows bacteria to multiply possibly to dangerous levels before diagnosis. Students in this proposed NSERC Discovery program will develop materials and methodology for investigating molecular interactions on surfaces. They will use a set of special imaging tools called scanning probe microscopes to reveal the chemistry and physics on surfaces at sub-100 nm scale. Our long-term goal is to take advantage of the high-resolution ability of the microscopes and increase the visibility of binding sites on cell surfaces. This requires us to develop suitable labeling materials and study how to use them. Nanoparticles will be prepared and functionalized with bio-recognition and ferrocene molecules. These nanoparticles will be designed to bind onto specific antigen sites and give out enhanced electrochemical signals. Using these tools to create innovative materials will enable researchers to study the surface of the bacteria cells. Gaining more insight into cell surface features will lead to developing better strategies to make biosensor devices that can detect and identify bacteria and that can be used in the environment and in the health sector. The ability of these devices to return tests results quickly and at low cost will lower patients' risk of exposure to harmful bacteria in medical settings, improve the effectiveness of treatment and reduce the length of their hospital stays. In an environmental setting, it will allow municipalities to issue boil advisories and beach closures sooner, and people using wells or swimming pools to monitor water quality more frequently. Students in this training program will have opportunities to work on research that connects with multiple fields and interact with experts from health and environmental sectors. They will have strong technical and problem-solving skills. The interdisciplinary training in electrochemistry, surface chemistry, and bio-analytical techniques, will position them for academic and industrial careers in instrumentation development, drug screening and biotechnology sectors.

检测细菌和传染病可以确保我们的饮用水安全和医院无菌。目前医院使用的检测方法可靠且灵敏，但需要长达 5 天的时间才能得到结果，这使得细菌在诊断前可能繁殖到危险水平。参与该提议的 NSERC 发现计划的学生将开发用于研究表面分子相互作用的材料和方法。他们将使用一套称为扫描探针显微镜的特殊成像工具来揭示亚 100 nm 尺度表面的化学和物理现象。我们的长期目标是利用显微镜的高分辨率能力并提高细胞表面结合位点的可见度。这就需要我们开发合适的标签材料并研究如何使用它们。纳米颗粒将通过生物识别和二茂铁分子进行制备和功能化。这些纳米粒子将被设计为结合到特定的抗原位点并发出增强的电化学信号。使用这些工具来创造创新材料将使研究人员能够研究细菌细胞的表面。更深入地了解细胞表面特征将有助于开发更好的策略来制造能够检测和识别细菌并可用于环境和卫生部门的生物传感器设备。这些设备能够以低成本快速返回检测结果，将降低患者在医疗环境中接触有害细菌的风险，提高治疗效果并缩短住院时间。在环境方面，它将允许市政当局更快地发布沸腾警告和关闭海滩，并让人们更频繁地使用水井或游泳池来监测水质。参加该培训计划的学生将有机会从事与多个领域相关的研究，并与健康和环境部门的专家互动。他们将拥有强大的技术和解决问题的能力。电化学、表面化学和生物分析技术的跨学科培训将使他们能够在仪器开发、药物筛选和生物技术领域从事学术和工业职业。