This Project is to Acquire a State of the Art Cellular Sorting and Monitoring System, a Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS)

A multidisciplinary team at North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T) with the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN) will establish a specialized research instrumentation - a Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) system. The proposed FACS instrument will enable the establishment of high level DoDÐrelevant research by facilitating the characterization of synthetic nanoparticles/cells/bacteria and the isolation of specific cell and particle subtypes of interest. This equipment satisfy interdisciplinary teamÕs needs by providing 1) in-depth multi-laser technical capability, 2) high content, 3) fast response for analysis and sorting capability, 4) easy to use/train with simple interface and easy accessibility and 5) informal maintenance. In particular, FACSÕs physical sorting capability of a heterogeneous mixture of nanoparticles, cells/bacteria, or sub-cellular components, into multiple separate pools, and a rate of thousands of particles per second allows 1) study of cellÕs phenotypic changes in terms of surface expression, separation, and in vitro expansion, 2) development of synthetically-derived cell based assays, 3) validation of in vitro brain on a chip /organoids systems, and 4) toxicity screening/countermeasure development. The proposed equipment will leverage several research programs being sponsored by the DoD, NSF, NIH, and industry. Highlight research areas we propose using the FACS include 1) high content brain on chips for chemical agent toxicity and screening, 2) lipid nanoparticle-based countermeasures for chemical threats, 3) airway and lung toxicology and diagnostics, 4) electrochemical-based disposable point of care sensors, 4) synthetic biology-based predictive toxicity: cellular mechanism of phosphorylation-dependent signaling processes, and 5) immunotechnology and immunotherapy for the detection, prevention, and control of diseases in DoD. We anticipate that the FACS will enable innovation in advanced biodefence and biosecurity, while also providing rich opportunities for human resource development through the education and training of students and scholars. In particular, it will impact various programs related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), crossing departmental boundaries of engineering (biomedical, mechanical, nanoengineering, and other engineering disciplines), life sciences (biology, animal science) and education (human development and services). The instrumentation will be enable the team to 1) understand nature of military operation better, 2) drive scientific knowledge to develop solutions to existing DoD needs, 3) foster breakthrough opportunities with new capabilities, and 4) accelerate transition of basic research. Further, systemic integration of the proposing instrument with existing capabilities will allow innovative research, impacting industrial and economic development, and training students and scholar (with an emphasis on diverse and underrepresented populations) to prepare for success in a global economy in DoD-related areas of STEM. Outreach activities with community colleges, local high school students, teachers, and veterans will give added value to this proposal. This project will create immediate research experiences for African American undergraduates through the Research Experiences for Undergrads (REU) Program and the Louis Stokes Alliances for minority Participation (LSAMP) program, advised by the faculty team. In concluded, the FACS system will be the first of its kind in NC A&T, establishing new fundamental science and technology for military advancement, in terms of toxicity, countermeasures, diagnostics, synthetic biology, and next-generation workforce development in biosecurity and biodefence. With multiple investigators across broad research areas, FACS will be highly operative and productive, providing unique opportunities for students, scientists and professors with DoD.