Overview

Mission

Analytical chemistry and its instruments provide the measurements and quantitative information underlying much of the research and commercial activity in chemistry, biology and medicine. The Center for Analytical Instrumentation Development (CAID) was created to develop innovative "machine-tools of science" that enable discoveries across a broad spectrum of science. As part of its mission CAID holds an annual multi-day hands-on course in which students with a wide range of prior experience learn new instrumentation and evaluate it for their own needs. These activities help advance point-of-need devices for use in drug discovery, clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring and the fight against chemical and biological terrorism.  

Objectives

The major objectives of the Center are to 1) develop a new generation of analytical instrumentation for life science and point-of-need applications in medicine, industry, and public safety; 2). build a portfolio of intellectual property that can be used to stimulate regional industrial growth; 3) expand participation in the Center as it evolves to include scientists from Indiana University, Indiana University School of Medicine, Notre Dame, and the University of Illinois, on both a temporary and permanent basis; 4) elevate the quality and competitiveness of research regionally by partnering with research scientists, clinicians, and companies in the application of advanced instrumentation to their problems; 5) educate and mentor young scientists and engineers in building high tech industry in the Midwest; and 6) stimulate regional high tech industrial growth through the Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization and by involving companies in the development process.

Rationale

We bring a series of assets of great value to this endeavor. Purdue has been an international leader in analytical chemistry and instrument development for at least three decades. The strength of our engineering program and the Birck Nanotechnology Center are another set of powerful assets. Participation of other nationally ranked analytical chemistry and engineering programs in the region are additional assets. Miniaturization through integration of electronic, microfluidic, chemical, and biological components in a single device will be a major theme in the next generation of life science instrumentation. We are proposing to build on this rich regional tradition by developing CAID, located at Purdue, and staffed predominantly with Purdue faculty along with leaders in life science instrumentation from other regional institutions.

Impact

The Center is expected to impact Purdue and the region by 1) developing tools critically needed to maintain national competitiveness in life science research, health care, and associated life science industries, 2) vigorously pursuing commercialization of these tools in the region, and 3) training individuals who will build and run this new high tech industry.

Facilities

The instrumentation lab of the Center comprises some 3000 ft² lab area and 1500 ft² office space in the basement of the Bindley Biosciences building in Purdue’s Discovery Park complex. Facilities for electronics construction, light fabrication and software programming are maintained. Preparations are underway to modify some of this space for laser imaging.