BioDot Biomolecule Printer for the Shared-Use HMNTL BioNano Laboratory - Abstract Bionanotechnology Laboratory (BNL), within the Holonyak Micro and Nano Technology Laboratory, is a shared-use facility serving as the first biosafety-level 2 (BL2) research space in the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), capable of supporting research in anticipation of projects utilizing clinical specimens, a variety of cell lines, bacterial/viral pathogens, chemical surface functionalization, nanoparticle synthesis, and tissue engineering capabilities. The BNL has become a vital research hub serving more than 24 principal investigators and over 100 students and postdoctoral researchers. A rapidly expanding area of research at UIUC is biosensors, which are being actively translated into clinical applications. Biosensors are highly sensitive analytical tools designed to detect disease-related biomarkers in biological samples such as blood, urine, or saliva. Biosensors are capable of detecting a variety of biomarkers—including proteins, nucleic acids (DNA, RNA), viruses, bacteria, and even whole cells. Their operation depends on immobilized, target-specific probe molecules such as antibodies, nucleic acids, or engineered aptamers, which selectively capture analytes from complex biological matrices. The binding event is then converted into a measurable signal through transduction methods such as optical, electronic, and other detection technologies. They can contribute to early diagnosis and guide clinical decision-making in areas ranging from infectious disease to cancer. By identifying biomarkers at extremely low concentrations in real time, biosensors enable clinicians to monitor disease progression while reducing reliance on invasive procedures like tissue biopsies. Their ease of use and reliability also make them well-suited for point-of-care applications, where they offer both time and cost advantages. We propose to add the BioDot XYZ3060 Aspirate Dispense System to the Bionanotechnology Lab suite of tools to support and enhance interdisciplinary biomedical research. This equipment was carefully selected for its relevance to ongoing NIH-funded projects, which also reflect a broader range of related research efforts by UIUC researchers. These efforts span areas such as cancer diagnostics and pathogen detection, tissue engineering, and the biological applications of engineering. Additionally, this tool will significantly strengthen HMNTL research infrastructure, offering substantial benefits to all BNL-affiliated projects while remaining accessible to researchers across the UIUC campus and the state of Illinois.
