Center for Applied NanoBioscience: Overview

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Overview

Today, medicine is on the cusp of evolving from one-size-fits-all therapies to a more personalized medicine. Employing the best scientific and engineering practices, the Center for Applied NanoBioscience hopes to develop novel molecular-based diagnostic tests that can be used by individuals and public health systems to facilitate personalized medicine.

To create new ways to diagnose disease, monitor health, and build enabling polymer electronics, the center merges new technologies from nanoscience, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), polymer and ambient intelligence with genomics and molecular biology. This fusion allows for the creation of novel sensor systems with a broad range of commercial applications. These sensors have application in drug and vaccine delivery systems and in clinical and biological reaction-control devices for diverse industrial settings.

The center strives to foster the vast potential of nanobioscience through the integration of interdisciplinary research developments in biologics and technological devices.
Its researchers apply their knowledge in the development of integrated microfluidic “lab-on-a-chip” platforms and advanced optical and electronic sensor arrays for the detection and analysis of biomolecules. This has application in the pharmaceutical, personal care and biodefense industries. A major goal for the center is for rapid commercialization of its research through productive interactions with the industrial and life sciences communities.

The center’s teams already have demonstrated considerable proficiency in:

Biochips for genomics/proteomics
Microfluidics and microanalytical technology
Nanooptics and nanosensors
Atomic and molecular technology
Nanosystems design and fabrication
Microscale fluid dynamics modeling
Hybrid nanoelectronics processing and “labfab” prototyping

In addition, the center’s skills in bioassay development and polymer-based processing leverage its product development capabilities (for example, in Quality Systems, International Organization for Standardization and Food and Drug Administration compliance).

Much of the center’s research focuses on improving systems to diagnose disease. Faster diagnosis of disease means earlier intervention that can save lives. More specific diagnosis that differentiates similar conditions or subtypes of diseases could translate into more targeted treatments that reduce side-effects. The ability to quickly identify certain types of illness also could be critical in the event of a bioterrorist attack. The center’s work on devices could provide greater intelligence, health monitoring and, ultimately, safety to the armed forces. Many of the projects under way have multiple applications that have a primary health or safety use, and secondary commercial use, such as improved battery power for cell phones and computers.

Integrated nano/microsystems design, modeling and prototyping
Development of large-scale processing technology and fabrication and the characterization techniques optimized for nanoscale applications
Molecular techniques for manipulating single biomolecules and cells
Integrated systems for application-oriented products and information solutions