Protein biosensor: a monolithic Si optoelectronic transducer properly biofunctionalised, an LCCC package and a fluidic cover

The development of novel biomaterials is a key field of research for advanced medical technology. Nano-scale biological and bio-inspired assemblies are emerging as materials for controlled drug release, tissue repair, molecular imaging, and tissue engineering. Due to the fact that many diseases cannot be treated solely by small-molecule drugs, cell-based therapy is emerging as an alternative approach. Several types of self-assembled nano-structures, their derivatives, and other biocompatible polymers showed great promise for this research area.

Tubular nanostructures, particularly carbon nanotubes (CNT), are suggested to have a wide range of applications in nanotechnological devices and assemblies. As a result of their small size, high aspect ratio, and conductance CNT offer many advantages. However, the integration of carbon nanostructures into functional devices is limited by major issues related to their production, uniformity, bioincompatibility, reproducibility, and cost. Furthermore the chemical nature of the tube restricts their covalent modification with biological and chemical reporters.

Working with Biocompatible Peptide-Based Material

Self-assembling biopolymer systems are especially attractive for this purpose due to their ability to serve as biological compatible scaffolds and nano-vesicles. Most of the recent studies are based on peptide or peptide-hybrid molecules, although other types of biomaterials could be used. Biocompatible peptide-based material gained much interest as a building block in the bottom-up design and assembly of nano-scale devices for bio-nano-applications (such as cellular manipulation, bio-nano-machines, and nano-scale diagnosis and treatment). Fabricated biomaterial was shown to support cell attachment and differentiation, to support neurite outgrowth and the formation of functional synapses of primary and cultured neuronal cells. Other studies had demonstrated the utilization of nano-scale bio-assemblies in sensitive biosensors and as contrast agents in advance MRI imaging.

In the SRPT group, we intend to explore the properties and potential use of nano-structures that are based on biomaterials. This will include direction toward the characterization of the structures, their mechanism of assembly, the directions toward their modification. We will also discuss applications in the diverse fields such as material science, tissue engineering, biosensors, etc. The potential members of the group include both experts in the fields of self-assembly and molecular design as well as those interested in the specific applications (tissue engineering, drug release, contrast agents, biomaterials, etc.).