Research

My current research entails nanofluidic study for applications in biotechnology. Specifically, the question is whether hollow nanostructures are able to contain large species such as ions and high-molecular weight compounds. Applications include drug and gene delivery, and possibly also in nanoseparations.

Laboratory Rotations (2 credits each)
Fall 2003:
Prof. Stanislaus Wong, Department of Chemistry
Preliminary investigation of nanotubes as vessels for drug and gene delivery
This first phase of the project was a feasibility study of nanotubes entailing mathematical calculations of axial strength and diffusion, and laboratory experiments to close the tube ends.

Spring 2004:
Prof. Molly Frame, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Fluid detection analysis at sub-micron scales
A continuation of last semester's project, now shifting focus to detection of nanomolar concentrations of aqueous fluorescent solution by camera in transparent polystyrene multiwells. A Xybion intensifier coupled with a Dage-MTI CCD72 camera attached to a Nikon inverted microscope failed to detect concentrations of FITC-dextran (MW = 4000) below 1 µM due to the intensifier's limits of detection, which were reached at this concentration through charge saturation on the CCD faceplate.

The next system, a GenIISys intensifier coupled with a Dage-MTI CCD72S camera, was able to detect FITC down to 316 nM without reaching CCD saturation; lower concentrations could not be detected from the background. Future experiments will entail stronger fluorescent compounds (e.g., rhodamine) and possibly a containment vessel with a higher optical index (e.g., glass).