Rutgers Launches A New IGERT Program On Integratively Engineered Biointerfaces

1. BIOMOLECULES CELLS Nanosystems Microsystems Interfacial Bioengineering IGERT BIOMATERIALS Rapid strides have taken place in identifying new biological molecules, and in the initial design of diverse materials capable of biomimicry and scale-specific bio-recognition. The next generation of bioinspired and biointeractive materials will be systematically developed through the integration of various disciplines with strong links to classical molecular/cellular biology and structural biochemistry on the one hand, and to nano/microsystems materials sciences and engineering, on the other. For such opportunities to be realized, a structured framework is needed for cooperative graduate learning and research scholarship that cuts across engineering, the physical and life sciences while focusing on mainstream “biointerfacial” problems and opportunities. Rutgers University will host a new IGERT graduate training program on “Integrative Biointerfacial Engineering” (IBE). This $ 4.2M program is supported by the NSF and Rutgers. • SAMPLING OF RESEARCH PROJECT THEMES: • Functional Genomics inside Living Cell Array • Protein Motor Dynamics via Multiphoton Microscopy • Cytointernalizable Ligand Nanointerfaces • Nanofabricated Substrates for Peptide Templating • Ceramic Nanointerfaces for Biomolecular Templating • Nanoscale Lipoprotein-Retentive Substrates • Microfluidics & Microtechnology for Stem Cell Eng • Axonal Outgrowth on Micropatterned Cues • Combinatorial Polymers for Gene Delivery • Novel Cytomimetic DNA-based Biomaterials • Biointerfacial responses to electroactive polymers • Ligand Conformational Biosensor Substrates • Gene Microarrays & Gene expression profiling • Femtosecond Study of Photoexcitable Biointerfaces • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR FELLOWS: • Each IGERT fellow will be treated and mentored as an ambassador for the new biointerfaces community. • A Professional Development Portfolio for each Fellow on Education, Research & Professional Growth • -Exposure to new interdisciplinary courses on integrative design of biointerfaces • -Entrepreneurial/Industrial/Academic Internship • -Academic Internship involves summer research in Europe at one of 15 sites identified • -Training in Ethics, Communications, Technology Transfer • -Participation in Community of Learners and Thought Shapers (COLTS) established in alliance with the Graduate School of Education Rutgers Launches A New IGERT Program On Integratively Engineered Biointerfaces For undergraduates in Bioengineering/Biosciences interested in graduate studies in biomaterials, tissue engineering, biosensors, cellular bioengineering, and molecular engineering, apply to the Rutgers IGERT program on-line: http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~moghe/IGERT.html Or email Professor Prabhas Moghe, Director and PI of the IGERT program at moghe@rci.rutgers.edu IGERT fellowships include annual stipends of $ 27,500-$30,500, plus $ 10,500 tuition-insurance allowance, plus travel and accommodation stipend for a research internship in Europe over summer. Biointerfaces arise at contacts between biologically derived systems, living and non-living, and synthetic systems, typically comprised of biosensory and bioresponsive materials. Many new technologies in cell-based diagnostics and therapies, tissue engineering, biomolecular therapies, and biosensors are critically dependent on advances in bio-interactive surfaces. The IBE program builds on the strengths and collaborative enterprises already in place at Rutgers in bioengineering, materials science, and molecular biosciences, yet fulfills a critical need.