Neurochemical Secretion from Single Neuronal Cells. The secretion of neurotransmitters from single neuronal cells plays important roles in neuronal communications and are associated with many brain disorders. Carbon-fiber microelectrodes have been extremely useful in the detection of easily oxidizable neurochemicals (e.g., dopamine) at single cells. We are developing new analytical methods to monitor the release of a wide range of other neurochemicals at a single-cell level. For example, we have started utilizing chemically functionalized molecular-scale nanopores to monitor the release of neuropeptide transmitters from single neurons.

Solid-State Nanopores and Nanochannels. Nanometer-scale pores and channels offer tremendous opportunities in numerous analytical applications, such as single-molecule detection and highly efficient separation of biomolecules. Silica-based nanopores and nanochannels with well-defined geometry have been prepared in our lab for a variety of different analytical applications, including the analysis of single biomolecules (e.g., DNA, protein) and nanoparticles and the study of biomolecular interactions.