1. Intelectual merit The goal of this project is to study the biomimetic properties of inorganic nanoparticles, evaluate their antioxidant and cytotoxic effects and utilize these properties in the design of novel sensing platforms. We have demonstrated that ceria nanoparticles can be used as colorimetric probes in bioanalysis, replacing commonly used organic dyes and the peroxidase enzyme in conventional colorimetric tests. We have developed a method for patterning nanoparticles onto paper and developed a paper based sensor based on this principle. The method that can be used as a generic approach for attaching nanoparticles onto a solid support with built-in antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The radical scavenging activity of ceria against superoxide, NO and peroxynitrite has been established. The antioxidant activity of ceria nanoparticles are enhanced in presence of small concentrations of acetate. Treatment of ischemic brain with ceria markedly decreased (~70%) the levels of ischemia-induced 3-nitrotyrosine, a modification to tyrosine residues in proteins induced by the peroxynitrite radical. Studies of cytotoxicity of these nanoparticles in biological models and the mechanism of action in relation with the physicochemical properties are underway. CAREER: Inorganic nanoparticles with biological properties: preparation, characterization and sensing applications Emanuela S. Andreescu, Clarkson University, DMR 0954919 Antioxidant and anti- inflammatory coatings Bioanalysis & Biosensors Ceria nanoparticles as colorimetric probes in paper-based bioassays, M. Ornatska, E. Sharpe, D. Andreescu, S. Andreescu, Anal. Chem. 83 (11), 2011, 4273. Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Agents treatment of neurological diseases Control Ischemia Ischemia + Ceria Neuroprotective mechanisms of cerium oxide nanoparticles in a mouse hippocampal brain slice model of ischemia, A.Y. Estevez, A. Lynch, J. Lucky, J. Ludington, W. Mosenthal, S. Pritchard, J.C. Leiter, S. Andreescu, J.S. Erlichman, Free Radical Biology & Medicine 51, 2011, 1155. Ceria nanoparticles reduce ischemic cell death by ~50%. Ceria based paper sensors

2. Broader Impact Integration of research into the classroom: Developed a new upper-level undergraduate/graduate class integrating: Concepts of biomimetic materials, biofunctionalization, bioananotechnology and biosensors Proposal writing, preparation of GRFP applications and mock panel review by graduate students Ethics in research. Effective communication of research Educational activities, K12 outreach: Developed a K12/general chemistry version of a ceria based sensor for the detection of glucose and food antioxidants. Dissemination of research and education: 3 peer-reviewed papers published with graduate and undergraduate co-authors. Established research collaboration with St Lawrence University (a 4 year liberal art school) and Dartmouth Medical School to test our materials/sensors in biologically relevant environments. Organized a MRS symposium on biomaterials featuring >150 presentations/posters; 10 conference presentations. A teaching workshop organized at a local teaching conference of associated colleges in the St. Lawrence Valley: http://www.associatedcolleges.org/conferences/conferences.htm http://www.associatedcolleges.org/conferences/conferences.htm Student mentoring: 2 graduate and 2 undergraduate students (2 females, one minority) participated in research. Undergraduates presented research at local ACS meetings. CAREER: Inorganic nanoparticles with biological properties: preparation, characterization and sensing applications Emanuela S. Andreescu, Clarkson University, DMR 0954919 Prof. Andreescu in the lab with graduate student Emrah Ozel and undergraduate Anastasia Scangas http://www.clarkson.edu/artsandsci/profiles/SilvanaAndreescu.html Graduate students Malli Ganesana and Ramiz Alkasir presenting their research at the national ACS meeting