Alabama State University (ASU) proposes to establish a Center for Nanobiotechnology Research (CNBR) with the goal of strengthening and enhancing interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaborative research in the area of nanotechnology and biotechnology. In addition, the center will play a pivotal role in providing training and research resources to the new Ph.D. program in Environmental Microbiology. The center will facilitate four research themes: 1) Structural studies of RSV at nanoscale and viral inhibition by nanoparticles, 2) Carbon nanotube attached with ssDNA as nanosensor for detection of Salmonella typhimurium, 3) The development of nanobiomaterials for drug delivery, and 4) delivery of nanoparticle encapsuled anti-Chlamydial peptides in an animal model. These projects will be carried out in collaboration with the University of Louisville, University of South Florida, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Tulane National Primate Research Center. These collaborations will also provide an opportunity for minority students to pursue Ph.D. degrees at collaborating institutions. Other aspects of the center will include an international scientist exchange program, travel to scientific meetings, release-time to subproject PIs, summer research at collaborating institutions and an annual science symposium.
(CNBR) at Alabama State University (ASU) was funded in 2007 through the NSF’s Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) program. During the five-year funding period, CNBR has transformed the research environment on the ASU campus. The institutional impact of CREST funding has been immense and support for advancing the scientific research enterprise at ASU was further enhanced by major institutional commitment. ASU invested over $30 million to enhance research and science programs including a new 80,000 square feet Life Science Building. In 2007, a new Ph.D. program in microbiology was established and the CREST center played an integral part in contributing to the growth, development and establishment of the Ph.D. program in Microbiology. ASU graduated the very first 3 Ph.D. students in 2011 who were trained in the center. Three additional Ph.D. students trained by the center are graduating in May 2013. A new College of Science, Mathematics and Technology was started in 2010 to further strengthen scientific research. An Office of Research & Sponsored Programs was established in 2009 to increase scientific effort and federal funding. A new Science@ASU magazine was started through NSF support. A college-wide NanoBio Symposium is held annually attracting participants from ASU and other institutions. Due to the significance and active role of the CREST center, CNBR is now an institutional center with institutional funding commitment. CREST supported research has led to the development of nanoencapsulated DNA delivery technology that can deliver DNA to various organ systems. We also established that various gold nanoparticles have differing localization patterns in cells organelles; thus their use in biomedical applications is dependent on nanoparticle shape, size and functionalization. Our research has shown that Ag-CNTs have excellent broad-spectrum anti-bacterial activity. CREST research project to develop a biosensor for Salmonella resulted in a sensor that was able to detect specifically bacterial DNA and discriminate even single-base pair mismatches. We also developed and characterized various nanomaterials including PLGA and PLA-PEG for encapsulation of peptides and proteins of Chlamydia and observed that they induced robust immune responses. The center has contributed to exemplary progress in scientific research by both faculty and students at ASU. The research progress is witnessed by a drastic increase in the number of faculty engaged in research and training of graduate students (Ph.D. & MS) supported by CREST funds. The CREST research has led to the filing of patents for the first time at ASU. CREST funding has helped to acquire and establish world-class research infrastructure, formed research and educational collaborations within the US (major research institutions in Alabama, 4 NSF-funded centers) and over 10 countries in the world, and partnered with businesses. Three patents were filed as a result of CREST research support. A total of 85 peer-reviewed research articles and 196 scientific presentations have resulted from CREST funding during the 2007-2012 funding period within the last five years. The center is housed in the new Life Science Building consisting of major research instruments including AFM, SEM, FACS, ABI Genetic Analyzer, Roche 454 Sequencer, Nikon Confocal, ABI Vii7 Real time, GenePix Microarray, Roche 454 sequencer, Perkin Elmer MicroBeta2 and many others. In a dissemination and community engagement effort, a number of dignitaries including Dr. Abdul Kalam, former president of India; U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions and U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama, and others have visited the CREST center. Many community members and area students regularly visit our center. During the 2007-12 funding period, over 2,000 STEM students participated in more than 118 CREST sponsored activities. Scientific seminars have been a regular feature and over 450 faculty and students participate every year. CREST researchers are highlighted on the ASU website, promotional billboards, TV commercials and news media.
