Contact Information:

(812) 856-1873
lanbaker@indiana.edu
Simon 102A
Baker Group Website

Lane Baker received a B.S. degree from Missouri State University in 1996. He was awarded his Ph.D. degree at Texas A&M University in 2001 working with Richard M. Crooks. He was then awarded a National Research Council Postdoctoral Associateship to study scanned probe microscopies with Lloyd J. Whitman at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. He studied nanopore membranes and single nanopore platforms as a postdoctoral associate with Charles R. Martin at the University of Florida.

Lane is interested in the electrochemical methods for analysis and imaging. Current work in his group is focused on applications of nanopores for the development of chemical and biochemically selective membranes, sensor development and electrochemical imaging.

Research

Mother Nature is the preeminent practitioner of nanotechnology. From genetic expression, to photosynthesis, to enzymatic processes, the chemistry of life demonstrates the elegance and efficiency of well-designed (evolved) systems. A recurrent motif in Nature is the transmembrane channel. These biological nanopores are integral to the function of living organisms, controlling transport in and out of cells, often in response to an external stimulus. In general, we are interested in mimicking biological archetypes using components or principles from biological systems in combination with synthetic platforms at the nanometer scale. Our research program uses the design principles of biological transmembrane channels in combination with nanofabricated pores to create bio/nano systems for bio/chem sensors and for separations.

The synthetic nanopores fabricated are comparable in diameter to biological nanopores. By functionalizing these pores with recognition chemistries (e.g. antibodies, aptamers, DNA complements), sensitivity and selectivity can be imparted. Measurements of ionic current and permeation rates are used to monitor the response of our systems. Our studies expand current applications of such biomimetic nanopores to microfluidic and scanned probe platforms. Electroanalytical and spectroscopic techniques are also commonly used to address our systems.

This research addresses a focus of modern analytical chemistry - the accurate, rapid, and sensitive detection or separation of bio-relevant species. For instance, the development of sensors for protein toxins (e.g. Ricin) and other biological agents (e.g. Anthrax) has become a necessity. Also, the development of ultra-sensitive assays for biological markers for diseases (e.g. cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease) offers the possibility of early diagnosis and treatment. Finally, separation of biologically active species (e.g. drugs) is relevant to pharmaceutical applications in enantiomeric separations and drug delivery.

Publications

Baker, L. A.; Bird, S. P. "A Makeover for Nanopore Membranes", Nature Nanotechnology, 2008, 3, 73-74 (invited commentary).

Laracuente, A. R.; Baker, L. A.; Whitman, L. J. "UHV Characterization of Ambient-Dosed Hydrogen-Terminated Si(001)". Surf. Sci. 2008, 602, 3-8.

Sexton, L. T.; Horne, L. P. Sherrill, S. S.; Bishop, G. W.; Baker, L. A.; Martin, C. R. "Resistive-Pulse Studies of Proteins and Protein/Antibody Complexes Using a Conical Nanotube Sensor". J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2007, 129, 13144-13152.

Harrell, C. C.; Choi, Y.; Baker, L. A.; Siwy, Z.; Martin, C. R. "Detecting DNA in a Conically Shaped Synthetic Nanopore". Langmuir, 2006, 22, 10837-10843.

Choi, Y.; Baker, L. A.; Hillebrenner, H.; Martin, C. R. "Nanopore-based Biosensors". Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2006, 8, 4976-4988.

Ervin, E. N.; White, H. S.; Baker, L. A.; Martin, C. R. A.C. "Impedance Imaging of High-Resistance Membrane Pores Using a Scanning Electrochemical Microscope. Application of Membrane Electrical Shunts to Increase Measurement Sensitivity and Image Contrast". Anal. Chem. 2006, 78, 6535-6541.

Scopece, P.; Baker, L. A.; Ugo, P.; Martin, C. R. "Conical Nanopores: Solvent Shaping of Nanopores". Nanotechnology, 2006, 3951-3956.

Baker, L. A.; Choi, Y.; Martin, C. R. "Nanotube Membranes for Biomaterials, Bioseparations, and Biosensors". Current Nanoscience 2006, 2, 243-255.

Heins, E. S.; Baker, L. A.; Siwy, Z. S.; Mota, M. O.; Martin, C. R. The Effect of Crown Ether on Ion Currents through Synthetic Membranes Containing a Single Conically Shaped Nanopore. J. Phys. Chem. B. 2005, 109, 18400-18407.

Odom, D. J.; Baker, L. A.; Martin, C. R. Solvent-Extraction and Langmuir-Adsorption-Based Transport in Chemically Functionalized Nanopore Membranes. J. Phys. Chem. B. 2005, 109, 20887-20894.

Heins, E. S.; Siwy, Z. S.; Baker, L. A.; Martin, C. R. Detecting Single Porphyrin Molecules in a Conically Shaped Synthetic Nanopore. Nano Lett. 2005, 5, 1824-1829.

Ervin, E. N.; White, H. S.; Baker, L. A. A.C. Impedance Imaging of Membranes Pores Using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy. Anal. Chem. 2005; 77, 5564-5569.

Awards

• Society of Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh Starter Grant 2008
• Postdoctoral Associate, University of Florida, 2004-2006
• National Research Council Postdoctoral Associate, Naval Research Laboratory, 2001-2004

Highlights