INSI is an interdisciplinary initiative at Florida State University to foster a world-class program in the exciting emergent area of bio-nanoscience. The initiative builds on a solid foundation in bio-nanoscience at FSU that evolved from existing strengths in materials science, molecular and cell biology, chemical and biomedical engineering, chemistry and biochemistry, and physics.
Bio-nanoscience at FSU focuses on areas of nanotechnology that blend “hard” (metals and semiconductors) and “soft” (organic and biological) materials: the science, engineering and art of tailoring and harnessing biomolecular function in nano-fabricated settings. Research is on fundamental nanoscale phenomena and processes that will be required for successful integration of hard and soft materials, and for putting such hybrid materials to practical use. Lead proposer Stephan von Molnár, in the successful proposal, considers where this research will lead: "Bionanotechnology will transform our lives because it can yield entirely new classes of products with unique, unprecedented functions and applications.”
The central objective of the Institute is to build on the existing focused effort and to create a world-class comprehensive bio-nanoscience program at the interface of materials science, device engineering, synthetic chemistry, and molecular biology. INSI is one of the select focus areas for faculty cluster hiring at Florida State University through Pathways of Excellence. Early phases will focus on bringing new faculty—at all levels—to campus. As the number of faculty and areas of research increase, expanded opportunities for graduate and postgraduate training will also become available.
