Micro/nanofabricated environments for synthetic biology

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2011 · Current Opinion in Biotechnology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copbio.2011.05.002· OSTI ID:1081719

Collier, Pat ^[1]; Simpson, Michael L ^[1]

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1. ORNL

A better understanding of how confinement, crowding and reduced dimensionality modulate reactivity and reaction dynamics will aid in the rational and systematic discovery of functionality in complex biological systems. Artificial micro- and nanofabricated structures have helped elucidate the effects of nanoscale spatial confinement and segregation on biological behavior, particularly when integrated with microfluidics, through precise control in both space and time of diffusible signals and binding interactions. Examples of nanostructured interfaces for synthetic biology include the development of cell-like compartments for encapsulating biochemical reactions, nanostructured environments for fundamental studies of diffusion, molecular transport and biochemical reaction kinetics, and regulation of biomolecular interactions as functions of micro- and nanofabricated topological constraints.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1081719
• Journal Information: Current Opinion in Biotechnology, Vol. 22, Issue 4; ISSN 0958-1669
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English