Prof. Nathaniel C. Cady
College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering
University at Albany
Spatial control of biomolecules is critically important for the development of biosensors and for studying cellular interactions with surfaces. Precision patterning of biomolecules onto sensor surfaces requires detailed knowledge of both surface properties and the interactions between the printed molecules and the substrate material. With the goal of producing ultra-sensitive electronic biosensors, our laboratory has developed strategies for printing nucleic acids and proteins onto advanced semiconductor materials. Our results demonstrate that printed biomolecules can be directly adsorbed onto these materials with high spatial control and retention of functionality. We have also developed bacterial arrays to study cell signaling and quorum sensing within defined microenvironments. These studies highlight the use of precision printing with the BioForce Nano eNabler system and key parameters involved in surface preparation and choice of surface adhesion / adsorption strategies.
