Check out Chapter 1:  “Stimulus Responsive Polymers as Intelligent Coatings for Biosensors: Architectures, Response Mechanisms, and Applications”
Vinalia Tjong, Jianming Zhang, Ashutosh Chilkoti and Stefan Zauscher

Click here: http://mrsec.duke.edu/reu

REU Projects in the Zauscher Lab:

Temperature-Triggered Micellization of ELP-DNA Block Copolymers

Many efforts have been made to advance new drug delivery system with optimal therapeutic activity while minimize negative side effect. Reversible micellar self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymer system is becoming an increasingly interesting candidate as a drug delivery vehicle. Here we develop novel block copolymer systems that consist of a polypeptide block with thermally reversible phase transition (Tt), and a hydrophilic, single stranded polydeoxynucleotide (ssPDN) block. The polypeptide block also serves as a macroinitiator for the enzymatic growth of the ssPDN block, using a template-independent polymerase –terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT). This REU project will focus on the characterization of the resulting diblock copolymers and their self assembly behavior as a function of block molecular weight and temperature. Students will work in a team environment and will be trained in relevant characterization techniques such as static light scattering, AFM imaging, and small angle X-ray scattering.

Programmed Self-Assembly of Biomacromolecules and Colloidal Particles on Polarized Ferroelectric Thin Films

To date, control over surface charge is largely achieved by chemical patterning and setting the solution pH and ionic strength. These approaches lead to relatively low lateral resolution and surfaces of usually fixed charge. We are currently developing a new approach in which the surface charge density can be switched and controlled with tens of nanometer lateral resolution. Such surfaces have significant promise for detection and sensing applications as they should 1) enable control over the conformation of proteins and polymers at interfaces, 2) enable control over the hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity at the solid/liquid interface, 3) enable control over surface reactivity, and 4) enable the capture and release of drugs and other biological materials onto/from device surfaces. Our approach relies on the high surface charge density that can be achieved by imprinting local surface charge states into programmable ferroelectric thin films, such as lead zirconium titanate (PZT). This in turn can be harnessed for directing the localized self-assembly of biomacromolecules and colloidal particles on the surface. This research is materials science oriented and involves characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), AFM, and ferroelectric capacitance measurements. The project also entails the nanoscale encoding of the polarization of the ferroelectric film locally using the AFM and subsequent characterization of the surface charge pattern and its interaction with proteins, organic molecules and colloidal particles in the immediate vicinity of the surface.

Program: http://www.cns.fas.harvard.edu/bioinspired/docs/program.pdf

Please consider attending the 2012 Biointerface Science Gordon Research Conference (GRC). The GRC will be held in Les Diablerets, Switzerland, May 20-25, 2012.

http://www.grc.org/programs.aspx?year=2012&program=bioint

Robert Ferris, Benjamin Yellen and Stefan Zauscher

DOI: 10.1002/smll.201101173

Congratulations!