Research
Please visit the above links to have a more detailed look at our research projects. Below is a list of Centers that we are leading or affiliated with.
NSF MBM at UIUC - Miniature Brain Machinery
NSF STC EBICS at MIT/GT/UIUC - Emergent Behavior of Integrated Cellular Systems
NSF IGERT at UIUC - Cellular and Molecular Mechanics and Bionanotechnology
(download brochure)NIH Training Grant at UIUC - Midwestern Cancer Nanotechnology Training Center
(download brochure)NSF CiiT (I/UCRC) at UIUC - Center for Innovative Instrumentation Technology
NSF NSEC at OSU - Center for Affordable Nanoengineering for Polymeric Micro and Nanodevices
Research:
Stacked Graphene Nanopores to control DNA transport
Nanopore based DNA sensing methods use electrophoresis to drive negatively charged DNA molecules through nanometer sized pores and monitor the change in ionic current to examine the length and sequence of DNA molecules. It is an inexpensive and attractive alternative to traditional sequencing and analysis technologies as it is a label-free, amplification-free, single-molecule approach that can be scaled for high-throughput DNA analysis. Our research involves the application of TEM-drilled nanopores in membranes of sub-nanometer thick graphene combined with robust dieiectric materials. We have demonstrated sensing and differentiation of DNA and RecA-DNA complex transport through stacked layers of graphene and Aluminum oxide. Current goals include exploiting these unique structures to control/reduce DNA transport rate as well as nanopatterning of graphene to enable DNA sensing through graphene conductivity fluctuations. The aim is to improve reliability and sensitivity of nanopore based DNA sensing
