Transport of Ions, Molecules and Water through Nanopores: Physical Phenomena in Biological Channels, Nanofluidics and Rain Coats
Event details
| Date | 28.07.2014 |
| Hour | 12:15 |
| Speaker | Prof. Zuzanna S. Siwy, University of California, Irvine, CA (USA) |
| Location | |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
BIOENGINEERING SEMINAR
Abstract:
Nanopores emerged as the basis for preparation of sensors for molecules as well as model system to study interactions of water, ions and molecules at the nanoscale. My group prepares single pores in polymer and silicon nitride films with tunable opening diameter down to ~2 nm, controllable geometry, and chemical characteristics of the pore walls. I will present our results on building valves for water and molecules based on pores with hydrophobic walls. We showed that single hydrophobic nanopores could undergo reversible wetting and dewetting due to condensation and evaporation of water inside the pores. The wetting/dewetting process was observed as switching between conducting and non-conducting ionic states, and was regulated by the external electric field. Being inspired by unique transport properties of biological channels in a cell membrane, we prepare polymer nanopores of similar transport properties to these of biochannels. I will summarize our efforts to create a synthetic analogue of biological voltage-gated channels. I will also describe advantages of using high aspect ratio pores with undulating pore diameter in the detection of viruses. The ‘rough’ pores give information not only on the size of the passing object but also its shape and mechanical properties.
Bio:
Dr. Zuzanna S. Siwy received her PhD in 1997 from the Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland, and habilitation in 2004. From 2000–2003 she was a Fellow of the Foundation for Polish Science, and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation at the Institute for Heavy Ions Research (GSI) in Darmstadt, Germany. After conducting postdoctoral research at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Dr. Siwy joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of California, Irvine in July 2005. In 2007, she became Fellow of the Alfred von Sloan Foundation. In 2009, Dr. Siwy was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers as well as the Bessel Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Her current research interests focus on using synthetic nanopores as templates for biomimetic channels as well as ionic diodes and ionic transistors.
Abstract:
Nanopores emerged as the basis for preparation of sensors for molecules as well as model system to study interactions of water, ions and molecules at the nanoscale. My group prepares single pores in polymer and silicon nitride films with tunable opening diameter down to ~2 nm, controllable geometry, and chemical characteristics of the pore walls. I will present our results on building valves for water and molecules based on pores with hydrophobic walls. We showed that single hydrophobic nanopores could undergo reversible wetting and dewetting due to condensation and evaporation of water inside the pores. The wetting/dewetting process was observed as switching between conducting and non-conducting ionic states, and was regulated by the external electric field. Being inspired by unique transport properties of biological channels in a cell membrane, we prepare polymer nanopores of similar transport properties to these of biochannels. I will summarize our efforts to create a synthetic analogue of biological voltage-gated channels. I will also describe advantages of using high aspect ratio pores with undulating pore diameter in the detection of viruses. The ‘rough’ pores give information not only on the size of the passing object but also its shape and mechanical properties.
Bio:
Dr. Zuzanna S. Siwy received her PhD in 1997 from the Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland, and habilitation in 2004. From 2000–2003 she was a Fellow of the Foundation for Polish Science, and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation at the Institute for Heavy Ions Research (GSI) in Darmstadt, Germany. After conducting postdoctoral research at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Dr. Siwy joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of California, Irvine in July 2005. In 2007, she became Fellow of the Alfred von Sloan Foundation. In 2009, Dr. Siwy was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers as well as the Bessel Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Her current research interests focus on using synthetic nanopores as templates for biomimetic channels as well as ionic diodes and ionic transistors.
Practical information
- Informed public
- Free