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EPSCoR |
The University of Maine's EPSCoR Initiative to Enhance Maine's High-Technology
IndustriesBiosensor Technology Module
Biosensor
technology research addresses the nation's critical need for the development of
small, sensitive, and selective biosensor devices and detection systems that can
reliably operate in real time and in extreme and diverse physical environments.
Biosensors are important tools in food safety diagnostics, medical monitors, and
detection systems for biological warfare agents.
UMaine is working to overcome several scientific and engineering barriers that
currently prevent commercialization of biosensor technologies.
Purpose
- Address national and international needs in the area of sensor technology
including:
- Detection of chemical and biological agents.
- Monitoring of air, soil, and water quality.
- Industrial process control.
- Medical diagnostics.
- Maintain a comprehensive research and development program addressing the
theory, design, and fabrication of sensor elements, and the characterization
and testing of prototype sensors.
- Contribute to human resource development in the broad area of sensor
technology by providing advanced training for undergraduate and graduate
students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scientists.
- Transfer the products of basic and applied research to the government and
industrial sector by emphasizing the integration of new types of sensor
technologies into end-product instruments and systems.
Recruitment Activity
A critical component of an EPSCoR infrastructure-building initiative is
building the research team.
The biosensors project has recruited three new faculty.
- Dr. Rosemary Smith, Professor of Electrical Engineering
- Dr. Scott Collins, Associate Professor of Chemistry
- Dr. Paul Millard, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biological
Engineering
Training and Development Activity
- During Fall 2000, the biosensor technology group held a distinguished
speaker seminar series in biomedical engineering and biosensor technology.
The seminar series helped the group to identify potential new directions,
infrastructure needs, and collaborative opportunities.
- Several new courses have been created for graduate students and advanced
undergraduate students.
The courses compliment an interdisciplinary curriculum in biology,
engineering, and physical/chemical sciences.
Additional new courses are under development.
- Undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral associates are
involved in the project as part of their education / career development.
- A new biosensor testing laboratory has been established by Dr. Paul
Millard.
Students will be trained in fluorescence imaging, automated microphotometry,
and molecular / biochemical preparation and analysis.
- A new Bio-MEMs clean room facility is being designed.
It will be incorporated into the new Engineering and Science Research
Building, and will enable student training in fabrication and testing of
micro- and nano-structures including micro-systems that integrate fluidic,
mechanical, optical, electrical, and biochemical components onto microchip
platforms.
Outreach Activity
- The new research activities in biosensor technologies will be featured in
a recently funded NSF K-12 program involving Bangor High School and the Maine
Discovery Children's Museum.
Education programs and K-12 hands-on activities in sensor technology,
including biosensors, will be developed through this program.
Other Accomplishments
- More than a dozen research collaborations have been created with chemists,
physicists, microbiologists, food scientists, and electrical engineers at
UMaine and its industry partners (The Jackson Laboratory of Bar Harbor, Maine,
and Andrew Bodkin Associates of Wellsley, Massachusetts).
- Significant research and educational opportunities are being provided for
students at various levels.
- New research programs were developed from collaborations and have been
recently funded by, or are pending with, research granting agencies such as
the USDA and NIH.
- New Biosensor-related products were created, including several data
collection computer programs that will be useful to researchers beyond UMaine.
- Several new technologies will be commercialized for applications in areas
such as health care, environmental protection, food safety, and the
safeguarding of our military, generating new high technology jobs for Maine.
- Three new chemical sensor patents were filed, with more expected.
- Three new postdoctoral positions were filled.
- The hiring and investment in three new highly skilled researchers,
providing Maine with technological expertise unavailable until now.
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