NC_old1194: Nanotechnology and Biosensors
(Multistate Research Project)
Status: Inactive/Terminating
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Development of sensing and processing technologies based on nanoscale phenomena becomes increasingly relevant for our society as we continue to advance our knowledge of biological phenomena related to food, agriculture, environment and energy. As we understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie the emergence and spread of pathogens and their consequent impact on our agricultural and food systems, it becomes evident that the technology to intervene and mitigate their effects on public health need to be correspondingly small, i.e. within the realm of nanotechnology.
According to the FY 2010-2015 Strategic Plan published by the USDA, one of the strategic goals for this period is to Ensure that all of America's children have access to safe, nutritious and balanced meals . Within this goal, Specific Objective 3 states that we must Protect public health by ensuring that food is safe . Reduction in the number of foodborne illnesses will require a comprehensive "farm-to-fork" risk assessment, coupled with appropriate technological measures to screen, identify, and eliminate offending food pathogens.
In addition to safety concerns in processed foods, plant/animal pathogens also represent major threats to worldwide food security. Rapid responses to crops and livestock epidemics require fast and accurate evaluation of plant/animal pathogens, which also calls for advances in biosensor technology to provide more user-friendly tools and techniques.
In the last five years, members of the multistate committee NC-1031 have demonstrated leadership and world-class abilities to develop biosensing and processing technologies based on technology platforms such as micro and nanofluidics, micro and nanoeletromechanicals systems (MEMS / NEMS), optical / electromagnetic nanoparticle technologies (multifunctional, magnetic, electrically active, SERS / fluorescent nanoparticles), and using top-down microfabrication, bottom-up self assembly, bioconjugation techniques and tools from molecular and cellular biology. Our collective expertise provides a strong foundation to address current issues pertinent to food safety and food security including, 1) Developing sensing and analytical devices and systems for detecting pathogens relevant to agricultural and food safety/security, 2) Developing innovative technologies to aid life-sciences researchers in probing biological phenomena relevant to mechanisms of pathogenicity and pathogen inactivation at the nano scale and 3) Inventing advanced packaging and processing techniques that increase safety and prolong shelf life of packaged and / or processed food products.
Members of this committee have well-established relations with stakeholder groups and participate in research centers built around university - industry partnerships. They also have access to world-class analytical and fabrication facilities, which are crucial to the success of research programs relevant to this committee.
Justification for renewal:
Although this committee is highly relevant to the current national priorities of ensuring food safety/security, the subject of nanotechnology and biosensing is critical to a broader spectrum of issues in the areas of food, agriculture, environment and bioenergy. Members of the NC-1031 multistate committee have published research addressing the research and educational objectives outlined in the original research proposal as it relates to the broader context. They have developed and shared graduate and undergraduate course materials in nanotechnology. A number of publications and some intellectual property have been developed over the award period. In addition, committee representatives from the University of Illinois and Purdue University have played a leadership role in bringing together a larger nanotechnology community to establish an industry-university partnership entitled, the Center for Agricultural and Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology . Similarly, the committee representative from Michigan State University has played a key role in the multi-institutional program development and implementation of the missions of the National Center for Food Protection and Defense (a Homeland Security center of excellence) through the use of nanoscale materials and biosensing devices. In addition, committee members have been invited and have presented at each other's respective institutions, thus creating the environment necessary to pursue grant opportunities in nanotechnology and biosensing. In previous years, the annual meeting also was held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Institute of Biological Engineering to provide greater visibility to the committee and its members and to encourage greater membership. The committee meetings have benefited the members through open discussions and have led to better science. These regular meetings also have ensured that the scientific pursuit utilizes the latest advances in the fields of nanotechnology and reorients priorities to remain relevant to the latest challenges. For example, in the first half of the award period, the bulk of the research conducted by the members was in the area of development of devices and systems for the purpose of detection. However, in the latter half of the project, there has been an increasing trend towards understanding the environmental and toxicological implications of nanotechnology with an increasing focus on the biological aspects of biosensors and nanoscience. This exemplifies a growth trajectory within the group and can be attributed to a sustained communication between the participants.
Objectives for the next five years:
Through a member survey conducted in the fourth year (2009), it was concluded that the original five objectives continue to be relevant to the research and professional goals of the NC-1031 community. However, there has been an increasing trend towards the biological aspects of the science as mentioned above. In the renewal proposal, we will specifically address this issue. In addition to the scientific objectives, we also will develop a plan to increase the membership of this committee by involving members of the research community interested in understanding the biological and environmental effects of nanotechnology, as well as those interested in using these tools to elucidate the life sciences. Such new members are expected to bring complementary skills to the present group of device and systems engineers that comprise the committee. At this time we have a membership of 26 individuals representing 18 experimental stations. This is an increase of 6 member stations over the previous renewal. In addition, NC-1031 does not duplicate the efforts of any other multistate committee and stands unique in its objectives.
The committee also realizes that there is an emerging national need to train highly skilled next-generation scientists in biosensor instrumentation and nanotechnology. In the next five years we also will develop educational and outreach programs on the use and impacts of nanotechnology and bring such training to a broader audience in food, agriculture and biological systems who are traditionally outsiders to the nanotechnology community.
According to the FY 2010-2015 Strategic Plan published by the USDA, one of the strategic goals for this period is to Ensure that all of America's children have access to safe, nutritious and balanced meals . Within this goal, Specific Objective 3 states that we must Protect public health by ensuring that food is safe . Reduction in the number of foodborne illnesses will require a comprehensive "farm-to-fork" risk assessment, coupled with appropriate technological measures to screen, identify, and eliminate offending food pathogens.
In addition to safety concerns in processed foods, plant/animal pathogens also represent major threats to worldwide food security. Rapid responses to crops and livestock epidemics require fast and accurate evaluation of plant/animal pathogens, which also calls for advances in biosensor technology to provide more user-friendly tools and techniques.
In the last five years, members of the multistate committee NC-1031 have demonstrated leadership and world-class abilities to develop biosensing and processing technologies based on technology platforms such as micro and nanofluidics, micro and nanoeletromechanicals systems (MEMS / NEMS), optical / electromagnetic nanoparticle technologies (multifunctional, magnetic, electrically active, SERS / fluorescent nanoparticles), and using top-down microfabrication, bottom-up self assembly, bioconjugation techniques and tools from molecular and cellular biology. Our collective expertise provides a strong foundation to address current issues pertinent to food safety and food security including, 1) Developing sensing and analytical devices and systems for detecting pathogens relevant to agricultural and food safety/security, 2) Developing innovative technologies to aid life-sciences researchers in probing biological phenomena relevant to mechanisms of pathogenicity and pathogen inactivation at the nano scale and 3) Inventing advanced packaging and processing techniques that increase safety and prolong shelf life of packaged and / or processed food products.
Members of this committee have well-established relations with stakeholder groups and participate in research centers built around university - industry partnerships. They also have access to world-class analytical and fabrication facilities, which are crucial to the success of research programs relevant to this committee.
Justification for renewal:
Although this committee is highly relevant to the current national priorities of ensuring food safety/security, the subject of nanotechnology and biosensing is critical to a broader spectrum of issues in the areas of food, agriculture, environment and bioenergy. Members of the NC-1031 multistate committee have published research addressing the research and educational objectives outlined in the original research proposal as it relates to the broader context. They have developed and shared graduate and undergraduate course materials in nanotechnology. A number of publications and some intellectual property have been developed over the award period. In addition, committee representatives from the University of Illinois and Purdue University have played a leadership role in bringing together a larger nanotechnology community to establish an industry-university partnership entitled, the Center for Agricultural and Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology . Similarly, the committee representative from Michigan State University has played a key role in the multi-institutional program development and implementation of the missions of the National Center for Food Protection and Defense (a Homeland Security center of excellence) through the use of nanoscale materials and biosensing devices. In addition, committee members have been invited and have presented at each other's respective institutions, thus creating the environment necessary to pursue grant opportunities in nanotechnology and biosensing. In previous years, the annual meeting also was held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Institute of Biological Engineering to provide greater visibility to the committee and its members and to encourage greater membership. The committee meetings have benefited the members through open discussions and have led to better science. These regular meetings also have ensured that the scientific pursuit utilizes the latest advances in the fields of nanotechnology and reorients priorities to remain relevant to the latest challenges. For example, in the first half of the award period, the bulk of the research conducted by the members was in the area of development of devices and systems for the purpose of detection. However, in the latter half of the project, there has been an increasing trend towards understanding the environmental and toxicological implications of nanotechnology with an increasing focus on the biological aspects of biosensors and nanoscience. This exemplifies a growth trajectory within the group and can be attributed to a sustained communication between the participants.
Objectives for the next five years:
Through a member survey conducted in the fourth year (2009), it was concluded that the original five objectives continue to be relevant to the research and professional goals of the NC-1031 community. However, there has been an increasing trend towards the biological aspects of the science as mentioned above. In the renewal proposal, we will specifically address this issue. In addition to the scientific objectives, we also will develop a plan to increase the membership of this committee by involving members of the research community interested in understanding the biological and environmental effects of nanotechnology, as well as those interested in using these tools to elucidate the life sciences. Such new members are expected to bring complementary skills to the present group of device and systems engineers that comprise the committee. At this time we have a membership of 26 individuals representing 18 experimental stations. This is an increase of 6 member stations over the previous renewal. In addition, NC-1031 does not duplicate the efforts of any other multistate committee and stands unique in its objectives.
The committee also realizes that there is an emerging national need to train highly skilled next-generation scientists in biosensor instrumentation and nanotechnology. In the next five years we also will develop educational and outreach programs on the use and impacts of nanotechnology and bring such training to a broader audience in food, agriculture and biological systems who are traditionally outsiders to the nanotechnology community.