| We pursue two important directions in our group:
- Novel Structures for the Biologically Important Detection
Solid State fabrication technology has matured over decades and is now identified as a key component for realizing novel nano-structures. We focus on developing devices and systems for the detection of biologically important molecules. Such sensors interface the top-down nano-fabrication capabilities with bottom-up molecular recognition and selectivity. The nanoscale biosensors benefit from the functionalized surfaces exhibiting extremely specific and ultra-sensitive detection properties.
- Biologically Mediated Fabrication
As the need of scaling viable sensors increases, natural bio-molecular recognition can play important role in enabling precise alignment and control of functional devices. The special chemical properties of such molecules are explored for fabrication at the
nano-scales.
Some of our projects
Detection
of DNA and Protein using CMOS based chips.
This project uses CMOS chips to detect DNA and
Proteins. Early and specific detection of DNA and proteins can
change medical diagnostics. The present day disease detection
methods are mainly optometric; with high false hits, low
detection sensitivity and need for specialized equipment. A few
steps are needed to detect the presence of a biological specimen.
We aim at developing sensors which can detect a
biological specimen in a single step. The approach has to be specific
and selective. This can produce a portable, cost effective, easy
to use sensor that could be produced at large scale.
In such a sensor, a
biological specimen (DNA or Protein) can be strategically placed between two
sensing interfaces with few nanometer separation. The presence of the biological specimen
and its associated charges can provide a signal. Changes in
conductivity can be related to the target molecule. This can specifically tell the type of the biological specimen.
Functionalized
Microfluidics for Biomarker Detection This thrust is focused on developing devices for continuous
low-abundant protein purification
instead of conventional affinity and ion-chromatography (that are
limited to bed volume and type of immobilization molecules).
The push is to optimize for easy integration with microfluidics systems
and to provide in-situ protein purification. Applications of
this work include early disease detection from biomarkers.
 
Self-aligned Nano-Channels
This thrust aims at developing nano-channels to detect proteins and
DNA. Solid-state nanopores have emerged as possible
next-generation gene-sequencing devices. With the
bio-compatibility of polymers like PDMS, we can make very specific,
portable, and cost effective nanoporous membranes at mass-scale with
better noise, ease of fabrication and elegance for use in various
measurement setups for DNA sequencing. The PDMS chemical and
physical properties are quite flexible and respond to various
microenvironment.
Outreach
Experiments, Hands-on Demonstrations and Talks
on "Nanotechnology",
"Bionanotechnology" and "Electrical Engineering":
- Tracks4Grads for Undergraduates of UTA:
Introducing graduate research opportunities (April 24, 2008)
(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14)
- Grade 9-10 Engineering Summer Camp (June 10,
2008) (1,2,3)
- Grade 7-8 Engineering Summer Camp (June 17,
2008) (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15)
- Grade 6-8 Engineering Summer Camp (June 24,
2008) (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18)
- Girlgeneering
(Girls Engineering and Computer Science) Summer Camp (July
30,
2008) (1,2,3,4,5,6,7)
|
Group
