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EDUCATION
The CBIN education and training program is aimed at training the next generation of scientists whose range of expertise broadly spans the multidisciplinary research approach developed through CBIN. Our educational program equips students with a breadth of knowledge that will enable them to be active participants in the ongoing research and graduate from MSU as engaged multidisciplinary scientists able to contribute to the development of the field. There are three major components to the educational training: course development in nanosciences, informal research education, and student and faculty exchanges with collaborating institutions. The outreach and education efforts of CBIN strive to build the pipeline of learners and future scientists and includes the following components:
- Graduate training through fellowships and courses on Nanotechnology
- Undergraduate research opportunities
- Informal education targeted at K-12 learners regionally and nationally
- Professional Development for Nanoscience researchers
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As part of this outreach mission, CBIN recently participated in the Nanoscale Informal Science Education 3rd Annual Meeting in San Francisco. Former CBIN doctoral student, Michelle Flenniken, presented "Hot Springs, Viruses and Nanomaterials". The abstract and summary of the discussion can be found below:
NISE Annual Meeting 2007
REPORT
Michelle Flenniken, Mark Young and Trevor Douglas
Center for BioInspired Nanomaterials
and
Thermal Biology Institute
http://www.tbi.montana.edu
Montana State University
“Hot Springs, Viruses, and Nanomaterials”
Abstract:
Viruses are the ultimate nanomachines. They have evolved to carry out their job of self-replication and evasion of their host's defense systems. They occur on the planet in all environments where life is found, including the boiling acid hot springs of Yellowstone National Park. But viruses are not all bad -- new research shows that they have the potential to be used in a new generation of materials, from drug delivery vehicles to diagnostic imaging agents.
Summary of Presentation and Discussions:
Michelle Flenniken, who obtained her Ph.D. under the direction of Dr. Mark Young and Dr. Trevor Douglas at Montana State University presented their labs work on the use of viral capsids for nanomaterials synthesis. The Young and Douglas labs use viral capsids and other naturally occurring nanometer scale (10 – 100 nm) protein cage architectures in the generation of nanomaterials for applications including: magnetic memory storage, hydrogen production, and for targeted delivery of therapeutic and magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents. A summary of their efforts was presented in a video clip from “Wired Science” featuring the work of Young and Douglas. The video focused on their identification of new archaeal viruses and other protein cage assemblies from the hot springs of Yellowstone National Park. This video is one example of the many different forms of media (newspaper, radio, film “Invisible Yellowstone”, television) that the group uses to share their work with the general public.
The presentation next addressed the question; “What is a virus?” and the group members discussed a bit about viruses; concluding that most people think of those viruses which are human pathogens (influenza, smallpox) when the word “virus” is mentioned. The basics of viral infection and structure were presented. In order for the group to understand that the viral capsid is simply a protein shell that houses nucleic acid they were compared to M&Ms; the hard candy shell is analogous to the viral capsid whereas the chocolate inside represents the viral nucleic acid (DNA, RNA) genome. Michelle emphasized that the viral capsids used in the Young and Douglas labs for nanomaterials synthesis are “just the shells”, the viral capsids devoid of their nucleic acid contents. They are not infectious. The basics of virus structure were discussed and the group was exposed to different interactive tools used by the group to explain the viral capsid self-assembly (video from Arthur Olson of the Scripps Research Institute, viral cut-outs, plastic shapes used to build your own virus shell). Participants were able to perform the activities that Young and Douglas use during outreach activities including visiting local schools, libraries and participating in MSU’s Masters in Science Teacher’s Training Program. Participants discussed where and how to obtain similar materials for use in their science museums, suggestions included NISE website, CBIN, the Discovery Channel store, and CBIN.
Throughout her talk, Michelle emphasized the need for basic scientific research which at first approximation may not have direct application to consumer goods. This work often generates innovative tools and ideas that can lead to unforeseen applications “down the road”. A concluding note for participants is although the NISE Annual Meeting spoke of “nanomaterials” in general, is important to be reminded that there are many different types of nanomaterials each with their own distinct properties. This is an important point to keep in mind for “informal nanoscale education”. Michelle concluded the talk by presenting some of the lab’s current data on the use of protein cage architectures for therapeutic and imaging agent delivery. It is important to share examples of “research in progress” in discussions with the public as it offers them a glimpse into the world of scientific research which is a blend of creativity, data collection, and hypothesis generation resulting in the best understanding of the system being investigated at that point in time.
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