The overall goal of this research is to develop a multidisciplinary program to create such a new paradigm with two specific objectives: (1) To engineer microfluidic devices for whole genome-scale DNA amplification, and (2) To develop an integrated system for high throughput genome sequencing and digital gene expression profiling. Microfabrication tools will be used to engineer high density arrays of femtoliter wells on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates for whole genome-scale DNA amplification. Single DNA molecules from a genomic DNA or cDNA library will be cloned in massive parallel on the microfluidic devices using the rolling circle amplification (RCA) technology developed by the investigator. A new sequencing technology called "sequencing by denaturation" (SBD) will be developed to enable the massive parallel sequencing of the single molecular clones on the whole genome or transcriptome array. These technologies will be integrated with a high throughput imaging system to engineer an integrated system for genomic analyses.
The overall goal of this CAREER award was to develop a multidisciplinary research program. The research project has two specific objectives: (1) To engineer microfluidic devices for whole genome-scale DNA amplification; (2) To develop an integrated system for high-throughput genome sequencing and digital gene expression profiling. The educational activities are focused on two key issues: (1) The involvement of high school students from low-income families and underrepresented groups in hands-on research experience in science and engineering, and (2) The need for further integration across the fields of physical and biological sciences, engineering and medicine. The CAREER award enabled me to be very productive in my research and education missions. It enabled me to establish a highly multidisciplinary research program in the development of integrated microfluidic devices and novel methods for high throughput genomic and proteomic analysis. Our work resulted in many publications. Some of our technologies have been licensed for further development and commercialization. This award also provided the resources and opportunities to educate the next-generation of scientists and engineers, and to engage under-represented students from low-income families who will be the first in their families to graduate from college. The award also allowed me to develop two new courses for upper-level bioengineering students, one on biomolecular engineering and one on bioreactor engineering. Overall, the aims proposed in the CAREER award were accomplished. My work has made important impacts on the education of our students and the society at large.
