Objectives
The scientific and technological goal of this highly interdisciplinary project is to develop both theoretical and experimental understanding of nanoparticle-based sensors for DNA. The unique optical and electrical properties of metal and semiconductor nanoparticle materials will make analytical DNA detection approaches based upon them more simple, sensitive, and selective than conventional detection methods based on fluorescence and chemiluminescence in a less expensive manner. The basic components of these sensors are nanoparticle functionalized with oligonucleotides, gene-chips that are also functionalized with DNA or other biological markers from BWAs, optical and electrical systems for signal transduction, and a novel microfluidics system for sample preparation, electrophoresis, and biomolecule processing.
This DURINT has been dedicated to the following research areas:
A) DNA Fundamentals
B) Nanoparticle-Based Sensors
C) Engineering of Microfluidic Biodetection Platforms
