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Award Abstract #0304062
NIRT - Nanoscale Engineering of Bilaterally Accessible Biomembrane Mimics
| NSF Org: |
CBET
Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems
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| Initial Amendment Date: |
August 28, 2003 |
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| Latest Amendment Date: |
April 1, 2005 |
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| Award Number: |
0304062 |
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| Award Instrument: |
Standard Grant |
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| Program Manager: |
Eric S. Peterson
CBET Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems
ENG Directorate for Engineering
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| Start Date: |
September 1, 2003 |
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| Expires: |
February 28, 2006 (Estimated) |
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| Awarded Amount to Date: |
$1175301 |
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| Investigator(s): |
Mathias Loesche quench@cmu.edu (Principal Investigator)
Michael Paulaitis (Co-Principal Investigator)
Jonah Erlebacher (Co-Principal Investigator)
John Kasianowicz (Co-Principal Investigator)
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| Sponsor: |
Johns Hopkins University
3400 N CHARLES ST
BALTIMORE, MD 21218 410/516-8668
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| NSF Program(s): |
COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH,
CHEMICAL & BIOLOGICAL SEPAR
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| Field Application(s): |
0308000 Industrial Technology
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
OTHR, 7237, 5979, 5915, 1674, 0000
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| Program Element Code(s): |
7298, 1417
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ABSTRACT
This proposal was received in response to Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF 02-148, category NIRT. The research focuses on the characterization and application of S-layer proteins, which are molecularly thin protein sheet crystals located on the outer cell envelope of a variety of micro-organisms. The crystal lattices incorporate nanoscopic pores located on repetitive lattice sites and can function as natural ultrafiltration devices. Reinforced S-layer lipid membrane hybrid architectures will be implemented on mesoporous, macroscopic substrates leading to functional, macroscopically-stabilized biomembrane mimics, accessible from both sides by small molecular species. Nanoporous gold will provide the interface to the macroscopic world. As a model of biomembrane functionalization, hemolysin will be assembled into the S-layer for use in measuring the passage of a single molecule. With these structures it may be possible to thread single-stranded DNA through the pores and to attach proteins to the ends of the DNA, thus engineering the capture and release of DNA from the pore. In terms of the broader impacts, these structures may find applications in a variety of devices including membranes and sensors. Collaborations with NIST and a transatlantic educational program are planned.
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