Welcome to the University of Michigan Center of Single Molecule Analysis (CoSiMA)

In recent years a revolution has occurred in the basic sciences, which exploits novel single molecule detection and manipulation tools to track and analyze biomolecules in unprecedented detail. The goal of UM's Center of Single Molecule Analysis (CoSiMA) is to develop a university-wide initiative in the emerging area of single molecule technology, including single molecule spectroscopy (SMS) and imaging (SMI), laser tweezers (LT), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), to bring basic scientists, engineers, and clinical researchers together to apply this technology to the most relevant questions in medicine and nanotechnology. This initiative will thus build on the momentum established by the State's creation of the Michigan Lifescience Corridor (MLSC) Core Technology Alliance for single molecule spectroscopy at Michigan.

Strategic Aims:
As the first step towards the goal of establishing CoSiMA as an internationally recognized Center, the University of Michigan Single Molecule Interest Group organized a very successful, highly subscribed 2-day symposium on May 18&19, 2006. We now plan to leverage the momentum built by this symposium and pursue the following specific aims:

• Identify areas of natural strength in single molecule technology at the UM to be developed into a Center with broad-based support from OVPR (energy and nanotechnology initiatives), Biophysics, Engineering, LS&A, the Medical School, and the School of Public Health.
  
• Raise the awareness of high-profile, cutting-edge applications of single molecule technology in medicine and nanotechnology.
  
• Discover natural collaborations within the UM research community, resulting in collaborative efforts/grants in nanomedicine and nanotechnology.
  
• Institute a UM-wide workshop and seminar series (supported for at least 2 years) with the goals of forming collaborations to support systematic, university-wide graduate student recruitment and training, and of developing applications for Graduate Student Training Grants and federally funded Centers.
  

• Office of the Vice President of Research (OVPR): VP for Research
  
• Medical School: Associate Dean for Research
  
• Engineering School: Associate Dean for Research
  
• College of Literature, Science and Arts (LS&A): Associate Dean for the Natural Sciences Division
  
• Optical Physics Interdisciplinary Laboratory (OPIL): Director
  
• Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and the Biological Sciences: Director
  
• UM Center for Computational Medicine and Biology