The Analytical and Surface Chemistry (ASC) program of the Division of Chemistry will support the CAREER development plan of Prof. Lin He of North Carolina State University. Prof. He's integrated research and education program focuses on the development of a simple yet sensitive molecular amplification method to detect DNA hybridization. Prof. He and her research group will employ a controlled polymerization process known as atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to grow polymer brushes at DNA hybridization sites. The visible polymer growth will be indicative of the presence of specific DNA targets. The research of Prof. He will provide excellent training opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students, and postdoctoral research associates in a highly multidisciplinary area at the forefront of scientific research. Prof. He will integrate her research project with an on-going educational effort to increase involvement of undergraduate students from small local colleges and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and high school students and teachers in bioanalytical and material science and technology.
