Active Transport of Nanomaterials Using Motor Proteins Final report for DOE-BES grant DE-FG03-03ER46024

During the two year period of funding we have focused on the following topics: Guiding of microtubule movement on kinesin-coated, structured surfaces, directed assembly of oriented microtubule networks, and the interaction between synthetic materials and biological components in hybrid devices based on microtubules and kinesin motors. Additional efforts have been made and are still on- going in controlling the motor activity, and loading and unloading of cargo. In all aspects, the collaboration with the team at Sandia has been critical. A constant intellectual and material connection has been maintained by frequent visits, videoconferences, and exchanges of parts and supplies, such as microfabricated structures and motor proteins. The scientific advances made through this collaboration have been documented in seven publications in high- impact journals and an encyclopedia, discussed in invited talks at the annual meetings of MRS and ACS, and publicized by journalists in “The Scientist” and “Nature Materials Nanozone”. One double Ph.D. degree in Bioengineering and Nanotechnology has been completed (John Clemmens)