Research Program
Biomolecular Devices and Analysis

Objectives
This project is aimed at developing novel ways of functionalizing microfluidic systems for bioanalysis. Functionalization will be achieved by integrating electrospun nanofibers within polymer-based microfluidic channels and with biological recognition molecules.  In addition to exploring the fundamental issues relating to entrapment of biologically active molecules within nanofibers, and physical and chemical characterization of the nanofiber surfaces, functional investigations will provide preliminary studies of nanofiber applicability as biofunctional guiding structures in microchannels, as biological separators in sample clean up and analyte concentration steps, and also for enhanced immobilization of the biorecognition elements. This research will have therefore impact on the advancement of sensing fiber technology for advanced materials; on the immobilization of the biological molecules without additional chemical reactions; and will further progress the development of coordinated biosensing in which 3D biosensing structures have enhanced capability due to simulation of the 3D structure of the original biological system.

Methods
We will be investigating the following strategies for the integration of electrospun nanofibers with microfluidic analytical devices: (1). Electrospin and immobilize nanofibers within polymer microchannels via solvent bonding. We will locate nanofibers across microchannels, along microchannels, and as nanofiber tufts within microchannels  in order to create distinct immobilization strings within channels or to function as guiding structures for cell movement within the PMMA channels.,  Fibers within the microchannels will be characterized based on their tensile strength and their stability within a fluid flow prior to their use as recognition sites, guiding trenches or separation media.

(2) We will functionalize the nanofibers with biological molecules creating bionanofibers entrapping DNA probes, streptavidin and neutravidin within the fibers. These fibers will be characterized physically, chemically and with respect to their biorecognition functionality. Specifically, Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), AFM, tensile testing and electron microscopy techniques will be used to confirm successful incorporation of biological molecules, effect of this incorporation on fiber morphology and mechanical properties and to determine the location of the biological molecules within the fibers.