利用奈米技術設計與製作大腸桿菌生物幫浦

Abstract

自 2005 年至今，我們執行一個三年期的國科會國家型奈米計畫：“利用奈米技術探討細菌與寄 主細胞之交互作用”；藉由量測大腸桿菌（E. coli）外膜的第三型線毛（Type 3 Pili）的機械特性，探 討線毛在感染過程中的黏附作用機制。我們和大腸桿菌相處三年，對這種會游泳的細菌之游泳能力 產生相當大的興趣。我們好奇如果能適當安排一群大腸桿菌持續“游泳踢水”，並巧妙整合其踢水的 方向與力量，或將可以發明一種水溶液中的生物幫浦。 為此，在本計劃中我們希望先分析大腸桿菌游泳的力量與機制，進而適當運用這種自然的生物 力量，最後設計並製作出一種生物幫浦。本計畫將分成以下三年逐步完成： 第一年：採購一個可程式化相位調變器 PPM（Programmable Phase Modulator），外加在現有的雷射 鑷夾上，以架設一套動態全像雷射鑷夾系統。然後利用PPM 來調控雷射鑷夾的光強度分布， 以產生一個漩渦型捕捉亮環。 第二年：將大腸桿菌侷限在漩渦型亮環內游泳，用以量化大腸桿菌游泳的速度與力量大小。然後調 控不同的溫度、光損害、或酸鹼值等參數，最後找到大腸桿菌游泳（活性）的最佳條件。 第三年：在最佳條件下，利用PPM 設計多樣性的捕捉圖案，用以整合一群大腸桿菌“游泳踢水”的力 量與方向，最後製作出一種可在微流管道中控制水流流速的自然生物幫浦。

In our 2005~2007 National Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Program: “By using nanotechniques to explore bacteria-host cell interaction”, we have been studying E. coli for the relationship between the mechanical properties of their type 3 pili and the corresponding physiology of adhesion during infection. Over the three years with E. coli, we are interested in the swimming of such bacteria. Therefore, we wonder whether the capability of swimming can be utilized to develop a novel E. coli bio-pump in liquid. For this purpose, we intend to study the swimming mechanism of E. coli for the realization of the bio pump. In this 3-year project, we are to complete the following aims: First year: (a) to purchase a PPM (programmable phase modulator) for the construction of a holographic optical tweezers system; (b) to design and generate a vortex, by using the PPM, capable of trapping E. coli for swimming inside, Second year: (a) to measure the magnitudes of the swimming speed and force of E. coli; (b) to obtain the optimal conditions for E. coli to swim by varying the parameters such as temperature, light intensity, pH value, and etc., Third year: (a) to design an optimal vortex pattern for quite a few E. coli to swim within and generate a collimated propelling force as a bio-pump; (b) to apply this E. coli bio-pump in a microchannel for fine tune of water flow.