The multidisciplinary research activities of our group are organized around
several overlapping themes: the chemistry of biointerfaces and analytical
techniques appropriate to study them, chemical sensing devices based on
optical transducers, and new molecular materials to enhance sensor performance.
Some current projects are:
1. Studies of relationships between structure and function in self-assembled
monolayer and multilayer protein films, with application to fabricating
protein film assemblies designed for molecular device technologies such
as biosensing.
2. Investigation of mechanisms of HIV viral protein interactions with
host cell membranes, and development of materials designed to inhibit such
interactions.
3. Development of new thin film optical devices for use in condensed
phase surface spectroscopies and chemical sensing transduction.
4. Preparation of sol-gel derived, inorganic/organic composite materials
with novel properties, and their application as chemical sensing materials.
5. Development of organic thin films as surface coatings with enhanced
resistance to protein adsorption and cell adhesion.
A variety of modern analysis tools are used in these projects, including
optical waveguide absorbance spectroscopy, total internal reflection fluorescence
spectroscopy, waveguide-enhanced spectroelectrochemistry, atomic force
microscopy, surface vibrational spectroscopies, surface plasmon resonance
spectrometry, and vacuum surface analysis methods. Some of these techniques
are unique to our laboratory, and are undergoing continuing development,
which is facilitated by access to fabrication facilities and collaborations
with researchers in Optical Sciences and other departments on this campus.
Schematic of an oriented, asymmetric protein bilayer assembled on a
planar phospholipid bilayer using a combination of Langmuir-Blodgett, covalent
bonding, and biospecific binding techniques.
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