Projects

Funded Projects

Ionomics
Co-PI: David Salt, Ph.D. (PI Guerinot M-L; CoPIs Harper J; Schroeder J, Ward J).
NSF 2010 Project
Project Period 09/01/04-08/31/08
$1,321,016 (Purdue Award) (total award = $3,490,000)

The objective of the proposed research is to use high throughput ICP-MS technology to identify gene networks that control uptake and accumulation of a wide array of minerals, the "ionome," with a focus on genes of unknown function. Analysis of the ionome and its interactions with other cellular processes is essential to understand how plants respond to nutrient availability and toxic metals. The collaborative group will serve as a "Center of Expertise" to test the hypothesis that > 5% of the genome functions in plant mineral nutrition. The main objectives are to:

Tools For Differential Metabolomics
PI: Fred Regnier, Ph.D.
NIH Project Period 10/01/04-09/30/07
$4,719,117

This is a highly interdisciplinary effort by a team of chemists, biologists, engineers, and information scientists who will collaboratively develop a new set of tools for characterizing and recognizing temporal changes in the metabolome of model organisms. Three sets of tools will be developed; those that enhance the quantification of changes in the metabolome, instrumentation that augments throughput by either massively parallel analysis or differential analysis, and separation materials and techniques that improve sampling and resolution of metabolites.

Acquisition for Metabolic Profiling Instrumentation at Purdue University
PI: Clint Chapple, Ph.D.
NSF Project Period 10/1/04 - 9/30/07
$839,427

This establishes the Purdue University Metabolic Profiling Facility (MPF). In metabolomics, gas or liquid phase chromatographic separation technologies (GC and LC) are coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS and LC/MS) for the identification and quantification of metabolites, and for the evaluation of metabolic fluxes in vivo using stable isotope labeling. The applications of these methods range from the analysis of xenobiotic metabolism in pharmaceutical and toxicological studies to the large-scale identification and quantification of all metabolites in an organism. From an agricultural perspective, metabolic profiling and metabolic flux analysis could expedite genetic engineering efforts aimed at generating value-added crop varieties, guide plant breeding efforts focusing on improving the nutritional values of foods and optimize downstream processing of agricultural products leading to bio-ethanol.

Micromechanical Sensors for Virus Detection
PI: Rashid Bashir, Ph.D.
NIH Project Period 9/1/02 - 8/31/07
$2,100,000

This project brings together a group of interdisciplinary researchers from the fields of micro/nano-systems technology, molecular biology and virology, and bio-separations engineering to develop micro-cantilever-based virus detection techniques and systems which promises performance characteristics exceeding the sensitivity and specificity of PCR amplification assays and ELISAs. The long-term objective of this application is to develop a micro-scale, robust real-time monitoring device, based on micro-machined ultrathin cantilever arrays for the rapid and sensitive detection of infectious agents, particularly bioterrorism agents in field setting and in primary-patient care facilities. The array will be specific for specific pathogens and will have the sensitivity to detect a single virus or toxin molecule.

Center for Phytoremediation Research and Development
PI: David Salt, Ph.D.
21st Century Project Period 08/15/2003 - 08/15/2005
$2,000,000

The aim of this project is to establish a multidisciplinary center composed of plant biochemists, physiologists, ecologists, microbiologists, soil scientists and engineers dedicated to the high throughput discovery of genes applicable to address the critical rate-limiting steps in phytoremediation. Genes identified during the intensive gene discovery phase of the Center will allow for the development of a large and varied “molecular toolbox” of genes. This toolbox will provide the essential genetic material and information needed to bioengineer plants ideally suited for phytoremediation and will also provide the pump priming needed to move this innovative technology towards successful commercialization.

Surface Enhanced Optical Detection of Proteins
PI: Dor Ben-Amotz, Ph.D.
Indiana Proteomics Consortium Project Period 4/8/02 - 7/31/05
$2,100,101

The proposed work is focused on combining state-of-the-art signal enhancement, optical detection and data processing technologies to produce a new family of optical sensors for protein detection, screening, analysis, and drug discovery. The results promise to lead to new enabling technologies for multiplexed protein analysis with enhanced sensitivity and lower recurring chemical costs compared to current protein detection and labeling technologies.

Microarrays by Ion Soft-Landing
PI: Graham Cooks, Ph.D.
Indiana Proteomics Consortium Project Period 4/8/02 - 7/31/05
$2,411,600

Intact multiply-protonated proteins of particular mass and charge can be selected from ionized protein mixtures and gently landed at different positions on a surface to form a microarray. As one demonstration of this new capability, an array of cytochrome c, insulin and apomyoglobgin is generated. The deposited proteins show electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra that matchs those of the authentic compounds, independently of the charge-state of the ion selected for soft landing. Biological activity of deposited lysozyme and trypsin is retained in the case of lysozyme, as shown using hexa-N-acetyl chitohexaose as substrate and in case of soft-landed trypsin which is found to digest cytochrome c.

Multispectral Cytometer Development
PI: Paul Robinson, Ph.D.
Trask Fund Project Period 01/01/05-06/30/05
$49,000

This Trask Technology Innovation Award is a University development mechanism to assist faculty with additional work to further the commercial potential of intellectual property disclosed to the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC). The technology designed includes a real-time collection and analysis technique to classify nanocrystal combinations. In concert with a specially designed high-speed multichannel detector, this screening device is the most advanced single-particle/cell analysis system yet built. Combined with advanced classification capable of automated analysis, this technology may revolutionize clinical pathology, biotechnology, and other fields where single cells or particles must be measured.

A Screening System To Detect Chemical And Biological Agents Inside Sealed Containers
PI: David Koltick, Ph.D.
Naval Surface Warfare Center; Project Period 7/1/03 - 6/30/05
$1,217,023.

Neutron interrogation technology combined with the power of elemental analysis decision-making can rapidly and effectively differentiate CW and possibly BW agents from common material. In the case of CW, interferences seem minimal and the system would appear to be cost effective and safe for the public. We believe that this system should be explored further by developing prototypes of both the “bottle” scanner and the “luggage” or box scanning system.

Q-TOF Mass Spectrometer for Peptide and Protein Analysis
PI : Fred Regnier, Ph.D.
NIH Project Period 4/1/04-3/31/05
$500,000

This involves the expansion of a highly successful Campus-Wide Mass Spectrometry Center (CWMSC) to foster the development of research programs that aim to conduct modern protein analyses using mass spectrometry. A new Protein Analysis Core of the CWMSC will be developed to house the proposed instrumentation. A versatile Q-TOF mass spectrometer is proposed to be the centerpiece for the challenging protein analysis requiring high sensitivity and mass resolution.

Parallel Production of Molecules for Structural Biology
PI: Janet Smith, Ph.D.
NIH Project Period 4/1/04-3/31/05
$499,790

Three-dimensional structures of biological macromolecules have a huge impact on our understanding of biology at the molecular level. Increasingly, the limiting factor in obtaining structural information is the production of materials suitable for structural study. This means sufficient quantities of pure, stable, active macromolecules, their fragments or complexes. High-throughput technologies that were developed for large projects of genome sequencing, structural genomics and proteomics also can be applied to classic, problem-based structural biology. A group of investigators at Purdue University whose research focuses on structural biology wish to adopt these new technologies for parallel, small-scale production of macromolecules. All of the investigators have projects that would benefit enormously from broad sampling of biological sources, expression constructs, expression conditions and purification protocols for the target molecules. This proposal seeks instruments for parallel cloning, expression, purification and crystallization. Use of these instruments would fundamentally alter the way in which the investigators approach their research problems and would greatly enhance their productivity. The requested instruments are: a liquid-handling robot for cloning and expression, an automated colony picker, an automated chromatography system, and a crystallization robot with photographic monitoring system.

Center of Membrane Protein Biotechnology
PI: Gil Lee, Ph.D.
21st Century Project Period 2/15/03-2/15/05
$1,320,000.

The project is focused on membrane design and synthesis, protein chemistry, microfabrication, microfluidics, and characterization of soft interfaces on the micron and nanometer levels. The principal aim of this proposal is to build on this expertise to facilitate discovery, development, and commercialization of useful new bioanalytical technologies for the characterization of membrane protein function. The scientific and technical goals of the Center for Membrane Protein Biotechnology (CMPB) are to develop a general approach to the creation of very large arrays of addressable, durable, asymmetric, and biofunctional (ADAB) membranes that are capable of unidirectional transport of chemical and biological agents. Formation of large arrays of ADAB P-glycoprotein-membranes will be the basis for the creation of hybrid bioanalytical devices that are capable of screening the biological activity of libraries of chemotherapeutic compounds.

Facilitating Microbial Research Through Advanced Data Management
PI: V. Jo Davisson, Ph.D.
IUPUI Project Period 7/1/03 - 6/30/04
$4,859.

This application proposed to organize a workshop titled “Facilitating Microbial Research Through Advanced Data Management Infrastructure.” Recent advances in the life sciences resulted in an increasing amount of scientific data. The workshop brought together scientists that rely on this data in their research. The workshop included a number of researchers in information technology with interest in databases, intelligent systems, metadata and datamining. These research areas cover the various techniques being currently used to support efficient data management.