SCREENING CATIONIC LIPIDS FOR GENE DELIVERY ACTIVITY

Not Available This effort will demonstrate feasibility of an optical planar processor system based on a biomaterial, bacteriorhodopsin (BR). Planar processing has the potential to perform certain types of computation algorithms thousands to tens of thousands times faster than traditional Von Neuman processors (e.g. Pentium). Image recognition/classification and speech recognition is two such areas where planar processing would offer major computational advantages. Optics is ideal for planar processing because of its image nature. BR is a key enabling material to permit this form of optical processing due to its robust set of properties that are optically manipulated. BR has the advantage of being very sensitive, inexpensive to produce, has good dynamic range, and can be easily formed into many sizes and shapes. BR's parameters will be studied and enhanced for various optical computing functions. BR material samples will be made and the resulting parameter measurements made on an optical bench. A demonstration planar processing element utilizing BR will be constructed.