Micro and Nanostructured Materials and Devices for Biomolecular Analysis

Arun Majumdar

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

Nov. 12, 2004

Abstract:

Over the last decade, we have witnessed an exponential growth in genomic information, which was highlighted by the Human Genome Project.Accompanying that was an exponential decrease in cost per sequenced gene. While these trends are expected to continue in genomics, they also provoke the question of whether there would be similar increases in information for other biomolecules, such as proteins, which are more complex in their structure and function. As part of this talk, I will present some of our and others’ work in developing technologies that could lead to rapid biomolecular analysis. In particular, I will focus on analysis based on cantilever mechanics, electrical capacitance, nanofluidics, and nanoparticle imaging. One of the goals of this talk is to catalyze discussion on how such technologies could address important biological questions that are difficult to address otherwise.