5493.2:
Nanocontainer (Project of the TOP NANO 21 Innovation commitee)
Abstract
The project focusses on interfacing native and artificial nanosensors with microfabricated chip-based devices for the rapid detection, identification, and manipulation of biologically active compounds. To achieve this goal, we propose to develop new nanocontainer systems that are able to keep molecules of interest in a small volume (nano- to zeptoliter) for detection and control. Sensor and reporter molecules incorporated into the container walls are used for controlled import and export of molecules into and out of the nanocontainers. Additionally they will be functionally modified to allow rapid purification, sorting and concentration using two- and three-dimensional microfluidic systems. The containers will be transported within these devices to predefined locations where they can be deposited in a spatially resolved way to form two- or three-dimensional arrays. To allow a rapid and synchronous reaction of the nanocontainer arrays on stimuli, we will interconnect them with gap junctions or synthetic nanotubes that allow communication between different nanocontainers.
Within the proposed project we plan proof of principle for two applications:
· bioaffinity assays consisting of arrays of nanocontainers with functionalized walls to sense biological interactions such as receptor-ligand or antibody-protein interactions;
· nanofactories in which arrays of nanocontainers produce and release chemical compounds upon specific triggers.