The goal of the Molecular Nanosciences Alliance for Interdisciplinary Studies and Activities (MONALISA) at the University of Minnesota is to stimulate interactions leading to interdisciplinary collaborations in research and education in molecular nanoscience and nanotechnology. Molecular nanoscience is an emerging interdisciplinary field that combines the study of molecular/biomolecular systems with the science and technology of nanoscale structures and systems.

The potential applications for this research are very broad and include such possibilities as 1) the use of biomolecules and cellular systems to self-assemble nanoelectronic circuitry and other nanoscale structures and 2) the use of lamellar host frameworks containing nano pores that can be tailored to include guest molecules for separation of chemicals for pharmaceutical and other applications. Minnesota has strong expertise in many individual programs relevant to this diverse field. The key to developing competitive research programs will be the establishment of alliances between faculty and students from disciplines that traditionally have had little overlap.

The formation of this center in September 2000 occurred at a particularly opportune time when the necessity of forming synergistic teams had become more appreciated locally by individual researchers and nationally through such programs as the National Nanotechnology Initiative. By serving as a forum for interdisciplinary study and research activities among experts from three U of MN colleges covering the departments of chemistry, electrical & computer engineering, chemical engineering & material science, genetics, cell biology & development, mechanical engineering and pharmaceutics, this center provides an important step toward the convergence needed for establishing pioneering research programs in this promising new field.

© 2002 by MoNalisa and Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.
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