The Biophotonics Investigation Facility (BIF): a new strategic point for NTU

II-9: The Biophotonics Investigation Facility (BIF): a new strategic point for NTU

Assoc.Prof. Tjin Swee Chuan and Assist.Prof. Poenar Daniel

Abstract
Biotechnologies and photonics are all crucial progress motors, which either independently or combined exhibit a strongly interdisciplinary character that affects a large number of related fields. Integrating these technologies will result in scientific advancements in two key areas: (1) Biomedical investigations of viruses, DNA and proteins, and for drug discovery; and (2) Investigation and realization of photonic chips, miniaturized smart biosensors and microystems for various purposes.

NTU currently has micro- and nano-fabrication facilities and characterization equipment already in place or being acquired for microelectronic and MEMS/NEMS device fabrication, which also assist our existing biological & biophysical related activities. To further enhance our capabilities and to make a greater impact in science and technology, we propose to establish a Biophotonics Investigation Facility (BIF) in NTU. This facility will extend the existing strong core competencies found in NTU's various schools. We specifically highlight the unique and outstanding expertise of our teams with international reputation especially in the areas of Photonics, Microfabrication, Biology as well as material characterization. The set-up of BIF will address the rising need to establish a permanent interdisciplinary base from which to start to interact, extend and further enrich these know-how areas to world-class level into the new fields of Biophotonics and Biosensors.

BIF will be an open-access resource that will aid local researchers in performing cutting edge research utilizing both our expertise and facilities in any of the above mentioned key areas. The facility will be useful in a large range of interdisciplinary research, development and characterization work, as it can serve a multilaterality of purposes, for biotechnology & medical investigations as well as for characterization of novel materials/devices.

The main common feature for all the above mentioned tools is that they allow EXTREME flexibility, i.e. usability for an extremely wide range of investigations, as well as first-class quality for world-class research on long term. These tools can be used for: Spectroscopy; Light Scattering; Optical Circular Dichroism (OCD), Fluorescence Resonance Transfer, Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy; Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging; and many others.

Specifically, BIF would beneficially act as a key enabler for at least the following industrial and/or research areas:
  • Micro- and nano-manipulation of bio-components (viruses, DNA & proteins, etc.) due to the unique optical tweezers tool suggested in this facility. Optical 'scissors' may also be developed and used for complete light-based bio-operations like cell sectioning, extraction and manipulation of desired biocomponents;
  • Characterization of materials, devices or biocomponents and their surface properties at nano-scale;
  • Biomedical drug development and pharmaceutical studies;
  • Characterization of photonic devices, either detectors or emitters, as well as of optical Bio-sensors;
  • Study the optical nonlinearities and harmonics generation exhibited both by materials and biocomponents;
  • Biomolecule identification using various optical methods (e.g. of a protein structure);
  • Training in Bio-photonics, etc.
Therefore, BIF is structured to target three interdependent activity clusters: (1) Pharmaceutical and Bio/medical investigations; (2) Photonic devices/biosensors characterization; and (3) Material & (Bio)surface analysis.

To our knowledge no centre in the world offers all these capabilities under a single roof which moreover would be organically inter-related with NTU's other strong points (photonics know-how, device design & fabrication, and biological expertise) that are all present in the same campus.

Consequently, Singapore and NTU would only gain by setting up and using BIF as an open shared facility that could be accessed by ANY user (for a reasonable exploitation and maintenance fee). This is most favorable for small companies and/or small research groups from institutions and/or countries without such facilities, thus encouraging scientific & economic activities and collaborations related to bio-sciences and therefore playing the following key roles:

Enhance existing expertise and infrastructure with unique & crucial strategic tools vital in facilitating new high-tech inter-disciplinary activities (research, fabrication, characterization, etc) at all levels (academic, technical, post-doctoral), for local, regional or international participants;

Encourage Singapore and regional research in biophotonics as well as the development, fabrication and characterization in life sciences and/or for novel (nano)materials/devices or related areas by providing an excellent platform for international collaborations with other academic, industrial or research partners.