Robyn E. Hannigan
DBI Division of Biological Infrastructure
BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date:
July 1, 2003
Expires:
June 30, 2007 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:
$209104
Investigator(s):
Peter Hoffmann hoffmann@physics.wayne.edu (Principal Investigator)
Kalina Hristova (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:
Wayne State University
5057 Woodward
Detroit, MI 48202 313/577-2424
NSF Program(s):
MAJOR RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION
Field Application(s):
Program Reference Code(s):
BIOT, 9184
Program Element Code(s):
1189
ABSTRACT
A grant has been awarded to Wayne State University under the direction of Dr. Peter Hoffmann to design and construct a new, innovative Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) to study cells and biomolecules. AFM is a technique where a sharp tip mounted on a cantilever spring is scanned across or approached towards a surface in order to image and measure mechanical properties at the nanoscale. The technique has been used for over a decade in measurements of biological structures. However, current AFM's have fundamental design issues that limit their usefulness. These include low sensitivity and inherent non-linearities. As a result, AFM's have not reached their full potential in biological research. The purpose of this grant is to design a radically different AFM system that avoids these limitations from the start and is specifically built to perform unprecedented high-resolution imaging and nano-mechanical measurements of biological samples. The most important features of this new instrument will be the use of a fiber-optic interferometer to measure the deflection of the cantilever (boosting sensitivity by a factor 100), non-contact operation (for non-invasive imaging), and the use of ultra-small amplitudes (< 1 Angstrom = the size of a single hydrogen atom), which will linearize force measurements.
The development of this new instrument will have a tremendous impact on our understanding of cells and cell membranes. Research that will be conducted with this new instrument includes: (1) behavior of transmembrane proteins (proteins that are located in the cell membrane), which play important roles in cell signaling, (2) mechanical properties of fetal membranes, part of a project to address prematurity in humans, and (3) basic research of hydrophobicity and other forces in model systems that mimic cell membranes and their components to gain better understanding of these fundamental building blocks of life.
The instrument will add a significant component to the research infrastructure here at Wayne State University, and is expected to be used for a number of ground-breaking interdisciplinary research projects ranging from biology, medicine, materials science to industrial applications (nanotribology). Results of the work will be communicated to the general public via planned outreach events in Detroit area science museums and schools, part of a currently implemented program consisting of science lectures for the general public.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
(Showing: 1 - 5 of 5).
Jeffery, S; Hoffmann, PM; Pethica, JB; Ramanujan, C; Ozer, HO; Oral, A.
"Direct measurement of molecular stiffness and damping in confined water layers,"
PHYSICAL REVIEW B,
v.70,
2004,
Patil, S; Matei, G; Dong, H; Hoffmann, PM; Karakose, M; Oral, A.
"A highly sensitive atomic force microscope for linear measurements of molecular forces in liquids,"
REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS,
v.76,
2005,
Patil, S; Matei, G; Grabowski, CA; Hoffmann, PM; Mukhopadhyay, A.
"Combined atomic force microscopy and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy measurements to study the dynamical structure of interfacial fluids,"
LANGMUIR,
v.23,
2007,
p. 4988
- 4992.
Patil, S; Matei, G; Oral, A; Hoffmann, PM.
"Solid or liquid? Solidification of a nanoconfined liquid under nonequilibrium conditions,"
LANGMUIR,
v.22,
2006,
p. 6485
- 6488.
Patil, SV; Hoffmann, PM.
"Small-amplitude atomic force microscopy,"
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS,
v.7,
2005,
p. 707
- 712.
(Showing: 1 - 5 of 5).
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