Overview

BioNanotechnology lies at the interface of recent advancements in Nanoscale science & technology and Biotechnology (i.e. modern biology). The biological, biomedical, and medical applications of nano technology are some of the most promising and exciting and potentially most rewarding. Sensing and therapeutics using tools from micro and nano technology, the use of nano-scale drug delivery devices for targeted therapy, micro and nano-structured surfaces and tissue engineering, development of artificial organs and devices using micro-nano fabrication and scaffolding techniques, bio-mimitic surfaces and materials, miniature drug screening and discovery, etc. are only some of the possibilities.

The BioNanotechnology Research Core is a primary link between the Bindley Bioscience Center and the Birck Nanotechnology Center. The following laboratories and facilities will comprise the BioNanotechnology Research Core:

BioMEMS Lab I - Birck Nanotechnology Center Room 2077
Demir Akin akin@ecn.purdue.edu, Rashid Bashir bashir@purdue.edu
This lab will house equipment for BioMEMS design, fabrication and testing. Fluorescence microscopes, microfluidic test stations, electronic and Mechanical test equipment and related instrumentation to perform state of the art BioMEMS research will be located in this lab.

BioMEMS Lab II - Birck Nanotechnology Center Room 2031
Demir Akin akin@ecn.purdue.edu, Rashid Bashir bashir@purdue.edu
This lab will house equipment for BioMEMS design, fabrication and testing. Fluorescence microscopes, microfluidic test stations, electronic and Mechanical test equipment and related instrumentation to perform state of the art BioMEMS research will be located in this lab. This lab would have BL-2 rated hoods and protocols to handle BL-2 pathogens and cells.

MEMS and Microfluidics Lab - Birck Nanotechnology Center Room 2239
Steve Wereley wereley@ecn.purdue.edu
This lab will include equipment for the characterization of microfluidic devices including a particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) system along with state of the art microscopes and related characterization equipment.

BioSensors Lab I - Birck Nanotechnology Center Room 2081
Cagri Savran Savran@ecn.purdue.edu
This lab will house equipment to test and characterize micro and nanomechanical biosensors for the detection of cells, bacteria, and other biological entities. Characterization equipment such as QCM and SPR will be available for use.

BioNano Lab I - Birck Nanotechnology Center Room 2087
Demir Akin akin@ecn.purdue.edu, Rashid Bashir bashir@purdue.edu
This lab will include fluorescence microscope, probe test stations, BL2 hoods, 2 cell culture rooms, and related equipment to perform cell and molecular biology protocols needed for nanomedicine and BioMEMS devices. This lab would have BL-2 rated hoods and protocols to handle BL-2 pathogens and cells.

BioNano Lab II - Birck Nanotechnology Center (Clean Room)
Rashid Bashir bashir@purdue.edu, Demir Akin akin@purdue.edu
This 2200 square feet room is a very unique and specially design facility (perhaps the only one in the country) to be able to do pharmacuetical grade chemical synthesis (for example GMP level synthesis of nanoparticles) needed for biomems and bionanotechnology research. The room is adjacent to the micro/nano clean room, has its individual gowning area, and has pass throughs to the micro/nano clean for contamination-free sample transfer.

Bipolymer Synthesis & Fabrication

Preparation of modified nucleic acids, peptides and related biopolymers. The facility is responsible for the synthesis of novel biopolymers including nucleic acids and nucleic acid analogs, novel peptides, peptide linked oligonucleotides and peptide nucleic acids. This includes the design and synthesis of unusual linkers, probes, and signaling molecules and their conjugation to oligonucleotides or peptides and related analogs. The objective is to provide a service that goes beyond that available from commercial services.

Vision statement:

Based on the capabilities outlined above, personnel in the facility work directly with Purdue researchers to prepare molecular tools useful in biological applications ranging from basic studies in plant genetics to therapeutics for cancer and viral diseases. The facility provides an interface between biology and nanotechnology by developing and providing the tools for integration of biopolymers into nano- and micro-scale devices. In addition to providing modified biopolymers for these applications, the facility works with investigators who have developed new biopolymer technology, to provide the routine production of biopolymers stemming from the technology. This includes the development and optimization of new biopolymers modification strategies and their translation to commercial products.

Laboratory Capabilities:

Preparation of modified nucleic acids, peptides and related biopolymers. The facility is responsible for the synthesis of novel biopolymers including nucleic acids and nucleic acid analogs, novel peptides, peptide linked oligonucleotides and peptide nucleic acids. This includes the design and synthesis of unusual linkers, probes, and signaling molecules and their conjugation to oligonucleotides or peptides and related analogs. The objective of the lab is to provide a service that goes beyond that available from commercial services.

Examples include nucleic acid analogs conjugated to linkers for attachment to surfaces or devices. Linkers could be custom designed that terminate in functional groups specific for attachment to silicon, silicon dioxide, gold, platinum, or carbon (nanotubes).

Instrumentation:

The facility would contain an automated DNA, PNA, RNA synthesizer, HPLC, LC, gel electrophoresis equipment, and equipment for small molecule organic synthesis. A itemized equipment list along with an analysis of supply cost is attached.

Laboratory services:

Biological Atomic Force Microscopy Laboratory

The Bio AFM lab is designed to provide AFM capabilities to the life sciences community. A variety of AFMs and associated equipment will be available to meet the wide range of anticipated users. Technical consultation will be available for experimental design and unique experimental requirements.

The use of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) in fluids has immense potential in the biological and medical fields. AFM provides unparalleled resolution on living systems or molecules in their native environments while also allowing the user to physically contact the sample of interest with extreme precision. AFM imaging in fluids provides the opportunity to visualize dynamic processes with previously unavailable resolutions in time and space. Using the AFM as a probe to interact with the sample, physical parameters such as sample surface pressure and fluidity can be measured, or the tip can be modified for a whole range of interaction experiments including measurement of binding forces or ionic conduction.

The Bio AFM lab systems have been developed primarily for biological and medical experiments maintaining current optical capabilities and sample configurations. Optical techniques such as bright field, phase contrast, differential interference contrast (DIC), fluorescence and confocal imaging can be combined with these AFM systems. Heating and cooling sample stages are available as well as flow through systems allowing the user to change the experimental conditions. There are no restrictions on sample size; biologics ranging from molecules to whole cells and even tissues have been investigated. These capabilities provide unfettered experimental design and tremendous opportunity for new discovery.

Equipment and Capabilities

• Veeco (DI) Bioscope II Preproduction instrument. This is the first placement of this latest technology in the US to support life science applications.
• Optical capabilities include bright field, phase contrast, DIC, fluorescence and confocal imaging.
• Heating and cooling stages
• Flow through systems, surface modifications, and specialized cleaning techniques.
• Training of research students at all levels with individual instruction on specific equipment as necessary
• Training session via short courses.
• Specific consultation is provided for experimental design and unique requirements.

People

Biological nanomotors for drug and gene delivery
Dr. Guo

Nucleic acid based assembly and functional nanomachines
Dr. Mao

Nanoparticle mediated targeting in cells
Dr. Park, Dr. Wei

Nanostructured surfaces for tissue engineering
Dr. Webster

Biochips and nanointegrated systems for single molecule detection and analysis
Dr. Bashir

Nanomechanical sensors for detection of biological targets
Dr. Bashir

DNA and Protein Bioelectornics
Dr.Ivanisevic

Micro/ Nanotechnology in Mass Spectrometry
Dr. Cooks