Bioselective Surfaces

1
Bioselective Surfaces

• Harvey Hoch, Convener, Cornell
• Pengju Luo (Clemson)
• Jeremy Tzeng (Clemson)
• Paul Millard (U of Maine)
• Bruce McPheron (Penn St.)
• Bruce Applegate (Purdue)
• Mrinal Bhattacharya (U. of MN)

2
Background Rationale

• Surfaces are the ubiquitous environment on which
  most chemical and biological interactions occur
  as such they are the key component to the
  fabrication and functionality of nano-tools for
  applications in agriculture and food systems.

3
Definition of Bioselectivity

• Interface in which the affinity for organisms or
  molecules is enhanced or reduced.

4
Objectives (1 of 2)

• To characterize the physiochemical properties of
  natural and synthetic surfaces to understand
  their basis for bioselectivity.
• To develop surfaces with enhanced selectivity
  through biological, chemical, physical (including
  atomic, molecular, and nanoscales) for cells and
  biomolecules

5
Objectives (2 of 2)

• To develop surfaces that select against the
  molecular interactions for organisms and
  molecules through biological, chemical, physical
  methods.
• To develop smart surfaces that have controllable
  active spatial and temporal binding and release
  properties.

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Outcomes (1 of 3)

• Bioselective surfaces are important to the
  development and operation of
• Biosensors
• Monitors
• Detectors
• Catalysts
• Protection through coatings
• Drug Delivery
• Detoxification
• Bioseparation - Purification

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Outcomes (2 of 3)

• Remediation of pollutants, pathogens, bioactive
  molecules (heavy metals, estrogenic compounds,
  pesticides), from plants and animals prior to
  processing, food products, and the environment
  (including creosote, PCPs)
• More precise, sensative, ecconomic, portable
  monitoring devices of plant and animal pathogens
  and pests, food microbes, and environmental
  toxicants.

8
Outcomes (3 of 3)

• Bioprocess capabilities
• Delivery of drugs and nutrients
• Monitor soil health (nutrients, water, etc.)
• Advances in
• Pathogen, cell biology
• Precision agriculture (modulated input delivery)
• IPM
• Food Safety (HACCP)
• Surfaces that process and prepare study samples.

9
Impacts

• Facilitate nano related tool development
• Improve sample preparation or presentation
• Better sustainability of agriculture with more
  precise pathogen and pest control (IPM) reduce
  the use of antibiotics more precise nutrient
  application
• Improved ability to monitor accidentally or
  intentionally introduced sources of pests,
  pathogens, and toxicants.

10
Impacts

• Increase environmental quality by detecting and
  mitigate environmental contaminents
• Longevity of implants
• Life span of nanodevices
• Reduced agriculture production costs through
  decreased pesticide usage
• A new paradigm for extracting signal from noise.

11
Budget

• For all four objectives, assuming awarding 10 to
  12 three year projects per year, a biosurfaces
  program should receive 3-5M per year.
• Since the biosurfaces area impacts many research
  priorities across the Federal government, USDA
  should leverage other agencies funding.
• Recommend funding four regional nanoscience and
  engineering centers equipped to address wet
  nano RD, 20M per year