Instrumentation System for Patterned Biomaterials Production and Characterization
Abstract
This proposal requests support for an instrumentation system that allows for multiple biosyntheses, purification and biomaterials characterization including: adhesion, elasticity, and viscosity. The set of proposed instruments will bolster existing equipment available for the PI while also upgrading crucial instruments for protein biosynthesis and purification that has been phased out by the companies they were purchased >10 years ago. The instrumentation system will serve to expand the capabilities for generating sufficient quantities of the pure, engineered protein biomaterials and characterizing the surface patterning, adhesion and mechanical properties of the resulting materials currently under study and funded by ARO. The requested instrumentation system is comprised of: (1) upgraded controlled temperature incubator shaker with humidity control to replace our current 13 year old one; (2) upgraded FPLC to replace our current 11 year old instrument that is no longer supported by the company; (3) Imager for visualization of proteins, specifically patterned protein hydrogels; and (4) contact angle goniometer to measure adhesion, wettability and rheological properties. The overarching objective of our research is to harness the most powerful methods of synthetic biology and protein engineering to create artificial proteins capable of bottom-up self-assembly as well as pattern such protein materials through top-down approaches. As part of our ARO grant entitled ÒPatterned Protein and Hybrid Materials: Responsive ÔChemomechanicalÕ Shape-ShiftersÓ, we are generating protein block polymers capable of assembling hydrogels and patterning them with the aim to develop biological mimics that exert chemomechanical control. Extending this work with our ARL collaborator, we plan to submit for follow on funding related to this research. Moreover, the instrumentation will also support research in DOD areas of interest for engineering select enzymes from microbial communities for detoxification and decontamination of warfare or toxic neural agents. Importantly, the instrumentation system will expose postdoctoral researchers, graduate and undergraduate students to biomaterials synthesis, purification and characterization using state-of-the art equipment and techniques. This summary is publically releasable.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 20, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1910150
Entities
People
- Jin K Montclare
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- New York University
- United States Army