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确保我们的饮用水安全，并且我们的医院没有细菌。当前在医院中使用的检测方法可靠且敏感，但最多需要5天才能获得结果，这使细菌在诊断前可能会繁殖到危险水平。该拟议的NSERC发现计划中的学生将开发用于研究表面上分子相互作用的材料和方法。他们将使用一组称为扫描探针显微镜的特殊成像工具，以低于100 nm的尺度揭示表面上的化学和物理。我们的长期目标是利用显微镜的高分辨率能力，并提高结合位点在细胞表面上的可见性。这要求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。这些纳米颗粒将被设计为结合特定的抗原位点并发出增强的电化学信号。使用这些工具创建创新的材料将使研究人员能够研究细菌细胞的表面。对细胞表面特征有更多的了解将导致制定更好的策略，以制造可以检测和识别细菌的生物传感器设备，并且可以在环境和卫生部门中使用。这些设备能够迅速返回测试结果和低成本的能力将降低患者在医疗环境中暴露于有害细菌的风险，提高治疗的有效性并降低住院时间。在环境环境中，它将使市政当局更快地发布烧烤咨询和海滩，并使用井或游泳池来更频繁地监视水质。该培训计划中的学生将有机会研究与多个领域联系并与健康和环境领域的专家互动的研究。他们将具有强大的技术和解决问题的技能。在电化学，表面化学和生物分析技术方面的跨学科培训将把它们定位为仪器开发，药物筛查和生物技术领域的学术和工业职业。