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Through a member survey conducted in the fourth year (2009), it was concluded that the original five objectives continue to be relevant to the research and professional goals of the NC-1031 community. However, there has been an increasing trend towards the biological aspects of the science as mentioned above. In the renewal proposal, we will specifically address this issue. <P>In addition to the scientific objectives, we also will develop a plan to increase the membership of this committee by involving members of the research community interested in understanding the biological and environmental effects of nanotechnology, as well as those interested in using these tools to elucidate the life sciences. Such new members are expected to bring complementary skills to the present group of device and systems engineers that comprise the committee. At this time we have a membership of 26 individuals representing 18 experimental stations. This is an increase of 6 member stations over the previous renewal. In addition, NC-1031 does not duplicate the efforts of any other multistate committee and stands unique in its objectives. The committee also realizes that there is an emerging national need to train highly skilled next-generation scientists in biosensor instrumentation and nanotechnology. <P>In the next five years we also will develop educational and outreach programs on the use and impacts of nanotechnology and bring such training to a broader audience in food, agriculture and biological systems who are traditionally outsiders to the nanotechnology community.
Non-Technical Summary:<br/>
Development of sensing and processing technologies based on nanoscale phenomena becomes increasingly relevant for our society as we continue to advance our knowledge of biological phenomena related to food, agriculture, environment and energy. As we understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie the emergence and spread of pathogens and their consequent impact on our agricultural and food systems, it becomes evident that the technology to intervene and mitigate their effects on public health need to be correspondingly small, i.e. within the realm of nanotechnology. According to the FY 2010-2015 Strategic Plan published by the USDA, one of the strategic goals for this period is to ensure that all of America's children have access to safe, nutritious and balanced meals. Within this goal, specific objective 3 states that we must protect public health by ensuring that food is safe. Reduction in the number of foodborne illnesses will require a comprehensive farm-to-fork risk assessment, coupled with appropriate technological measures to screen, identify, and eliminate offending food pathogens. In addition to safety concerns in processed foods, plant/animal pathogens also represent major threats to worldwide food security. Rapid responses to crops and livestock epidemics require fast and accurate evaluation of plant/animal pathogens, which also calls for advances in biosensor technology to provide more user-friendly tools and techniques.
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Approach:<br/>
In the last five years, members of the multistate committee NC-1031 have demonstrated leadership and world-class abilities to develop biosensing and processing technologies based on technology platforms such as micro and nanofluidics, micro and nanoeletromechanicals systems (MEMS / NEMS), optical / electromagnetic nanoparticle technologies (multifunctional, magnetic, electrically active, SERS / fluorescent nanoparticles), and using top-down microfabrication, bottom-up self assembly, bioconjugation techniques and tools from molecular and cellular biology. Our collective expertise provides a strong foundation to address current issues pertinent to food safety and food security including, 1) Developing sensing and analytical devices and systems for detecting pathogens relevant to agricultural and food safety/security, 2) Developing innovative technologies to aid life-sciences researchers in probing biological phenomena relevant to mechanisms of pathogenicity and pathogen inactivation at the nano scale and 3) Inventing advanced packaging and processing techniques that increase safety and prolong shelf life of packaged and / or processed food products. Members of this committee have well-established relations with stakeholder groups and participate in research centers built around university - industry partnerships. They also have access to world-class analytical and fabrication facilities, which are crucial to the success of research programs relevant to this committee.