Luke P. Lee (Advisor)

Gap junctions are expressed in most mammalian cells, coupling their intracellular environments to allow direct communication of ions, metabolites, and other small molecules. Although gap junctions have been implicated in a range of diseases from neuronal degeneration to cancer, our understanding of their function is still incomplete. We present here the application of a microfluidic device for assaying gap junction communication by focusing dye molecules or other membrane diffusiblefocusing dye molecules or other membrane diffusible biomolecules over cells cultured to confluence. A...

Previously, we developed novel gold nanophotonic crescent moon structures with a sub-10 nm sharp edge, which can enhance local electromagnetic field at the edge area. In this project, we present a uniform array of the gold nanocrescents to generate stronger local electromagnetic field by summing up the effects of inter-particle and intra-particle electromagnetic field coupling. Stronger surface enhancement Raman scattering (SERS) signal is expected from the nanocrescent array due to the high density of the “hot spots”. The long-term goal of this project is to apply this uniform...

Plasmonic transfection with single cell resolution can greatly benefit studies of the dynamic between a single cell and its surrounding tissue. We will develop a photoactive nano structured substrate for culture of adherent cells that enables transfection with single cell resolution, maximum cell viability and minimum expenses.

Project end date: 08/11/09

There is intense interest in electromagnetic fields in nanoscale metal structures because the difference of optical properties from bulk material is useful for biological and chemical sensing application. To control light-metal interaction, delicate fabrication such as electron-beam lithography and self-assembly, is necessary for waveguides below the diffraction limit of light. In this project, optimization of the nanostructure called 'nanocrown' based on template by mechanical, chemical and electrical self-assembly will be studied.

Project end date: 01/30/10