Rutgers Launches

1

• Rutgers Launches
• A New IGERT Program On
• Integratively Engineered Biointerfaces

Rapid strides have taken place in identifying new
biological molecules, and in the initial design
of diverse materials capable of biomimicry and
scale-specific bio-recognition. The next
generation of bioinspired and biointeractive
materials will be systematically developed
through the integration of various disciplines
with strong links to classical molecular/cellular
biology and structural biochemistry on the one
hand, and to nano/microsystems materials sciences
and engineering, on the other. For such
opportunities to be realized, a structured
framework is needed for cooperative graduate
learning and research scholarship that cuts
across engineering, the physical and life
sciences while focusing on mainstream
biointerfacial problems and opportunities.
Rutgers University will host a new IGERT graduate
training program on Integrative Biointerfacial
Engineering (IBE). This 4.2M program is
supported by the NSF and Rutgers.

• SAMPLING OF RESEARCH PROJECT THEMES
• Functional Genomics inside Living Cell Array
• Protein Motor Dynamics via Multiphoton Microscopy
• Cytointernalizable Ligand Nanointerfaces
• Nanofabricated Substrates for Peptide Templating
• Ceramic Nanointerfaces for Biomolecular
  Templating
• Nanoscale Lipoprotein-Retentive Substrates
• Microfluidics Microtechnology for Stem Cell Eng
  
• Axonal Outgrowth on Micropatterned Cues
• Combinatorial Polymers for Gene Delivery
• Novel Cytomimetic DNA-based Biomaterials
• Biointerfacial responses to electroactive
  polymers
• Ligand Conformational Biosensor Substrates
• Gene Microarrays Gene expression profiling
• Femtosecond Study of Photoexcitable Biointerfaces

• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR FELLOWS
• Each IGERT fellow will be treated and mentored as
  an ambassador for the new biointerfaces
  community.
• A Professional Development Portfolio for each
  Fellow on Education, Research Professional
  Growth
• -Exposure to new interdisciplinary courses on
  integrative design of biointerfaces
• -Entrepreneurial/Industrial/Academic Internship
• -Academic Internship involves summer research in
  Europe at one of 15 sites identified
• -Training in Ethics, Communications, Technology
  Transfer
• -Participation in Community of Learners and
  Thought Shapers (COLTS) established in alliance
  with the Graduate School of Education

For undergraduates in Bioengineering/Biosciences
interested in graduate studies in biomaterials,
tissue engineering, biosensors, cellular
bioengineering, and molecular engineering, apply
to the Rutgers IGERT program on-line
http//www.rci.rutgers.edu/moghe/IGERT.html Or
email Professor Prabhas Moghe, Director and PI of
the IGERT program at moghe_at_rci.rutgers.edu IGERT
fellowships include annual stipends of
27,500-30,500, plus 10,500 tuition-insurance
allowance, plus travel and accommodation stipend
for a research internship in Europe over summer.
Biointerfaces arise at contacts between
biologically derived systems, living and
non-living, and synthetic systems, typically
comprised of biosensory and bioresponsive
materials. Many new technologies in cell-based
diagnostics and therapies, tissue engineering,
biomolecular therapies, and biosensors are
critically dependent on advances in
bio-interactive surfaces. The IBE program builds
on the strengths and collaborative enterprises
already in place at Rutgers in bioengineering,
materials science, and molecular biosciences, yet
fulfills a critical need.