Anhong Zhou - US grants

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The U.S. faces an enormous task in cleaning up hazardous wastes. Bioremediation via wild-type (Wt) and genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) has the potential of completely degrading waste material with little or no toxic byproducts. Bacterial adhesion and movement towards contaminants (termed "Chemotaxis") are two important factors that may affect the role of bacteria in the biodegradation of pollutants. However, the fundamental mechanisms governing these factors for wild type (Wt) and genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) are still poorly understood and have not been well defined because of the inability to measure basic physico-chemical properties of bacterial chemotaxic behaviors in the presence of chemoattractants. In this project, we propose to develop a whole cell biosensing system to measure chemotaxic behaviors of bacteria in real-time based on a novel design of dual mode electric impedance measurements. The specific aims are: 1) integrated whole cell biochip design and microfabrication that is capable of measuring electric impedance (ECIS) and acoustic impedance (AIA) responses; 2) real-time and simultaneous measurement of adhesion and chemotaxic behaviors of Wt and genetically engineered Pseudomonas putida KT 2440 on the integrated microfabricated working electrode; measurements of morphological (by ECIS), viscoelastic (by AIA), and velocity (by time-lapse video microscopy) properties of Wt and the GEM. 3) comparison of the proposed whole cell biosensing system with currently available chemotaxis detection techniques in terms of sensitivity and versatility; 4) quantification of the chemotaxic behaviors of Wt and GEM (alteration of various chemotaxis genes) in the presence of various chemotaxic substances, and comparison of parameter responses by analysis of the proposed biosensing system; 5) enhancement of the Biological Engineering program at Utah State by addressing the goals of the NIH AREA grant program. [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable]

1066730
Carroll
Proposed is the additional development of a new technique for microfluidic separations called traveling-wave electrophoresis (TWE). This technique employs an electric field wave produced by interdigitated electrode arrays to transport charged species through a microchannel. To investigate approaches for efficient separations of complex mixtures of peptides and other biomolecular systems, the proposed research will focus on two aims: (a) establishing the dependence of band dispersion on molecular concentration, electrophoretic mobility, and molecular diffusion in TWE, and (b) demonstrating TWE separations of complex mixtures of peptides using novel separation modes accessible through TWE. These experimental aims will synergistically interact with theoretical modeling of the TWE system to understand the fundamental capabilities and limits of the process. The proposed goals will be accomplished through experiments and modeling stemming from preliminary models and experiments that have unequivocally demonstrated the feasibility of the technique.

The proposed research addresses the critical need for robust, controllable, on-demand separation techniques for high-resolution, high-throughput characterization of complex biomolecular samples. TWE separations distinguish themselves from other electrophoretic microfluidic separation techniques by the use of an electric wave to transport species whose mobilities exceed a tunable threshold. TWE holds promise for separations with minimal dispersion and separations of infinite length achieved via real-time switching between separative and non-separative transport, allowing extremely high resolution separations of closely migrating analytes. The impact of this work will be felt in proteomics, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, materials synthesis, and nanoscience. The system has the potential to make particularly strong contributions to proteomics and molecular biology based on its capability to separate closely related molecular species present in vastly different concentrations. The ability to independently control the velocities of separated bands in a single channel based on their local position without sacrificing separation efficiency will prove to be revolutionary if realized.

The broader impacts of this work consist of five major areas. Of particular importance in the state of West Virginia is the incorporation of a Research Experience for Teachers. We will incorporate secondary school teachers into the research program, providing opportunities for professional development credits, and developing curricular elements meeting state guidelines for incorporation into their classrooms. The program will extend beyond the summer with the PIs interacting with the teachers and their students in the classroom, and providing opportunities for participating teachers to present their research and curricular efforts in both local and national settings. The PIs are actively involved in the development of undergraduate and graduate course work that emphasizes the importance of nanoscience and nanotechnology, both in science and in society at large. These courses reach students across different disciplines in the physical sciences, engineering, biomedicine, and the humanities and provide a common forum to facilitate cross-pollination of ideas within the university. The project will provide funding for two graduate students, one theoretical and one experimental. Work on this project will promote interdisciplinary interactions between developing physicists and chemists during their training, a very important benefit in this era of multi-disciplinary research. Outreach to underrepresented groups will be accomplished in summer research experiences for undergraduates through existing SURE, REU, and LSAMP programs. In addition, ongoing relationships with a local company, Protea, Inc. will allow immediate incorporation of research innovations in the development of commercial products for protein analysis.

1264498
Zhou, Anhong


Understanding how the body recognizes and responds to dietary fat is of critical importance to the control of fat intake and treatment of obesity. Our knowledge of the pathways underlying the chemoreception of fatty acids, the prototypical fat stimuli, in fat-responsive tissues has greatly increased in recent years, but the nature of the cognate receptors and their role in this process remains controversial. To explore the role of two receptors (GPR120 and CD36) in fatty acid signaling, the two PIs have developed a novel collaborative approach that encompasses both biophysical and cellular biological approaches to test the hypothesis that CD36 and GPR120 are functionally linked in the initial recognition of fatty acids in chemosensory cells. A combined TERS and calcium imaging system will be developed that for the first time will allow the ability to map the distribution of these receptors at nanoscale resolution and
their function in a single system.

General description:
This proposal will develop novel tools for imaging how particles of fat interact with cells via specific cell-surface receptors. The novel technology will allow to quantify receptors and to monitor how receptors rearrange and co-localize on surfaces of cells. Presence of fatty acids bound to receptors will be determined by a novel tool enabling chemical analysis of the cell surface.

Thin films of various metallic and insulating materials of a few-nanometer thick are widely used in devices and sensors. At present, Utah State University (USU), a land-grant university of more than 28,000 students, has no thin film deposition system that can perform a uniform thin-film deposition across a 4-in wafer. The fact that the existing small evaporator can only deposit low-melting point metals, such as aluminum and gold, severely limits the research capability at Utah State University. This proposal is to acquire an advanced sputtering deposition system which will provide crucial improvements include: (1) substrate holder for a 4-in wafer, (2) substrate heater up to 800 °C, (3) sufficient power to sputter high-melting point metals, magnetic materials, and dielectric materials, and (4) a load-lock to improve through-put and film quality.

The proposed sputtering deposition system will enable a broad range of funded transformative research at USU including: (1) carbon-nanotube-based radiometer for unprecedented accuracy on measuring radiation for monitoring global warming and calibrate laser power. (2) Depositing catalytic nano-particles on patterned carbon-nanotube sidewalls for CO2 capture to help mitigate climate changes and conversion to useful chemicals such as methanol. (3) Depositing dielectrics and growing graphene patterns for the fabrication of intelligent antennas for next generation of cognitive wireless communication. (4) Fabricating titanium oxide nano-structures to investigate cell behavior affected by nanotopography. (5) Depositing thin film of cobalt and phosphorous to enhance electrocatalytic water splitting for high-energy-density chemical fuels. (6) Depositing nickel and alumina thin films to investigate nanoparticles self-assembled by solid-liquid interface instability for optoelectronics and magnetic data storage. (7) Depositing various oxide and carbide thin films to investigate electrical charging, deposition and electron transport in multi-layered samples to mitigate electrostatic discharge damage to spacecraft and power grid. More innovative research will be supported since the tool is only limited by the targets available from suppliers around the globe.

The broader impacts of this tool should be assessed by the synergy with other tools at NDL as a whole. The proposed sputter coater will be integrated into NDL which has been serving the research needs of faculty from at least 5 departments in Colleges of Engineering and Science. Approximate 30 graduate and undergraduate students from the 6 profiled major research groups are expected to be trained and using this tool with other tools at NDL for their research. This tool is also planned to be involved in the capstone and senior research projects (~20 students/yr) in 4 engineering classes and a laboratory module for two microfabrication classes (~30 student/yr). In addition to offering advanced training for university students, NDL participates in many activities organized by various units of USU for disseminating new science and technology to the general public. The expanded research capability brought by the proposed tool will also help academia-industry partnership such as the existing SBIR and STTR programs with Box Elder Innovations, LAM Research, Ball aerospace, and Orbital Sciences, among others.