The Nanoscale
Science and Engineering Center (NSEC) for Integrated Nanopatterning
and Detection Technologies, headquartered at Northwestern University
(NU) is driven by a vision to develop innovative biological
and chemical detection systems capable of revolutionizing a
variety of fields. Genuine medical benefits are now emerging
as direct products of the center research, including detection
techniques for markers associated with diseases such as Alzheimer's
disease and prostate cancer. These detection techniques are
bringing advances in sensitivity, speed, ease of use, and cost
over existing methods, providing broader societal impact of
a type and degree that is impressive.
Established by a grant from the National Science Foundation
in 2001, the NU-NSEC represents researchers from Northwestern
University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign, and Argonne National Laboratory and their
collaborators from industry, academic institutions, and national
laboratories in the common goal to create an accelerated pathway
from conception to application to commercialization.
Center members represent a broad spectrum of disciplines
including biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, biomedical
engineering, bioethics, chemical and biological engineering,
chemistry, electrical and computer engineering, materials
science and engineering, mechanical engineering, neurobiology
and physiology, physics and biophysics, and medicine.
The Center has developed an innovative and comprehensive
educational outreach program that impacts the traditional
classroom as well as informal science education. Partnerships
have been developed with the Museum of Science and Industry,
and numerous Chicago-area high schools and universities that
have enriched these educational opportunities.
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