(DURIP-21) HIGH THROUGHPUT MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION MATERIALS
Abstract
Biological systems produce materials that are adaptable, resilient, and can operate in extreme environments. Unfortunately, most biological materials are recalcitrant to traditional genetic and protein engineering techniques due to a lack of tools designed for high throughput material characterization. Addressing this challenge, the overall goal of this proposal is to acquire an integrated fluid-handling atomic force microscope (AFM). The proposed AFM will facilitate autonomous and rapid mechanical screening and imaging of cell-produced and protein-based biomaterials. Additionally, when paired with a fluorescence microscope, this instrument will allow for single cell deposition, extraction, mechanical characterization, and nanoscale imaging. Through these capabilities, the proposed instrument will benefit a number of ongoing Department of Defense (DoD) projects aimed at studying or harnessing various biological materials. These projects include using bacteria to pattern and control the mechanical properties of soft materials through genetic circuitry, imaging of large membrane protein 2D crystals, the hierarchical assembly of supercharged proteins, the microbial production of hybrid polymers, the characterization of insect symbiont produced nanomaterials, single cell resolution studies of protein assembly, and the design of tissue mimics based around reversible covalent chemistry. Overall, a fluidized AFM will leverage the amenability of biological systems to high throughput methodologies and contribute to the development of biological materials for a variety of DoD applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 07, 2023
- Source ID
- FA95502110148
Entities
People
- Benjamin K Keitz
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Texas at Austin