IDBR: Plasmonic-based electrochemical impedance microscopy for studying molecular binding and cellular processes

Arizona State University, Scottsdale AZ

Investigators

Abstract

IDBR: Plasmonic-based electrochemical impedance microscopy for studying molecular binding and cellular processes Abstract Technical Description: Electrical impedance has been widely used to detect and study biological processes, but it lacks spatial resolution or imaging capability. The PIs have shown that the impedance can be converted into a plasmonic signal. This paradigm shift approach allows the measurement of local impedance optically, and leads to a novel plasmonic-based electrochemical impedance microscope (P-EIM) that can image electrical and electrochemical responses of a biological sample. P-EIM can study binding affinity of small molecules and proteins in microarray format, follow the binding events of single viruses, and image various cellular and subcellular processes, including ion channel and G protein coupled receptor activities, with sub-micron spatial resolution and sub-millisecond temporal resolution. P-EIM is label free, which overcomes limitations associated with label-based detection and imaging technologies. This project will integrate P-EIM with total internal reflection fluorescence and surface plasmon resonance microscopy, and work with researchers in different fields, including proteomics, immunology, neurology and cell biology, to develop new applications. Specific aims include developing and demonstrating P-EIM capabilities to: 1) Measure molecular interactions and kinetics, particularly small molecule-protein interactions; 2) Monitor virus binding kinetics and statistics; 3) Study single cell and sub-cellular kinetics with milliseconds time resolution. Non-technical description: Optical microscopy has enabled many breakthroughs in biological research, and become a truly indispensable tool in nearly every life science lab. Continued advances in biology will benefit from new imaging capabilities that provide unique and complementary information to the current microscopy technologies. The present project will introduce an impedance-imaging mode to optical microscopy, allowing for optical imaging of electrical and electrochemical responses of biological samples, a capability that current optical microscopy lacks. In order to transform the new imaging capability into a powerful tool for biological research, the PIs will collaborate with over ten research groups to develop different biological applications, create tutorial materials via Youtube, Wikipedia, and a dedicated website, and work with the university technology transfer office to facilitate commercialization. The project will provide unique opportunities for interdisciplinary training and nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers. In addition to training graduate and postdoctoral students, the PIs propose new educational initiatives in undergraduate research taking advantage of several existing programs and infrastructures at ASU. Examples include the NSF REU program, Biodesign high school student internship, and Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative (FURI) at ASU, which provide additional resources for recruiting and supporting undergraduate students, including groups underrepresented in science and engineering, at the early stages of their studies in the college. The project will also provide students with unique international and interdisciplinary collaboration experience.