Engineering Commons^™

Role Of Molecular Interactions On The Mechanics Of Nanocomposites, Dinesh Katti, Kalpana Katti

Composites at Lake Louise (CALL 2015)

Nanocomposite materials are well characterized using a variety of advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. In particular, the interfaces in the nanocomposites are often tailored (in engineered composites) and evolved (in biological nanocomposites) to unique molecular characteristics that provide optimized and superior properties to the nanocomposites. In this presentation, we will describe a multiscale mechanics perspective on role of molecular interactions as well as the nano and microstructures on the mechanics of nanocomposites. Specific examples including biological and synthetic nanocomposites will be presented. We have demonstrated a quantitative correlation of energies of molecular interactions albeit nonbonded in the nanocomposites to the …

Nanoclay Based Composite Scaffolds For Development Of Novel Humanoid Environment, Kalpana Katti, Shahajahan Molla, Dinesh Katti

Composites at Lake Louise (CALL 2015)

Cancer cells are adept at invading, migrating to and colonizing on an organ away from its origin resulting in metastatic cancer. The process through which cancer cells colonize on a distant organ is known as metastasis. It is estimated that about 90% of the deaths associated with cancer are attributed to metastasis, yet the fundamental mechanisms of cancer metastasis are unknown. Several cancers are known to metastasize to bone. Of these, the most prolific are prostate, breast and colon cancers. Molecular, microstructural and physiological interactions between the metastatic cancer cells and bone microenvironment have been shown to be suggestive of …

Optimum 3d Matrix Stiffness For Maintenance Of Cancer Stem Cells Is Dependent On Tissue Origin Of Cancer Cells, Esmaiel Jabbari, Samaneh K. Sarvestani, Leily Daneshian, Seyedsina Moeinzadeh

Faculty Publications

Introduction

The growth and expression of cancer stem cells (CSCs) depend on many factors in the tumor microenvironment. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of cancer cells’ tissue origin on the optimum matrix stiffness for CSC growth and marker expression in a model polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel without the interference of other factors in the microenvironment.

Methods

Human MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma, HCT116 colorectal and AGS gastric carcinoma, and U2OS osteosarcoma cells were used. The cells were encapsulated in PEGDA gels with compressive moduli in the 2-70 kPa range and optimized cell seeding density …

Chesapeake Bay Blue Crabs And Consumption Related Illness, Caitlin M. Shipman

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Currently, 72.2% of the Chesapeake Bay is impaired due to pollutants that impaired water quality. Some common pollutants in the Bay that are also toxic if consumed are: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, and lead. Pollutants tend to settle on the Bay floor and become accumulate in the sediment. Most shellfish and small finfish live near or on the Bay floor and are may be exposed to high levels of pollutants. Therefore, bioaccumulation and biomagnification of pollutants can occur in shellfish and finfish tissues. These pollutants may cause a risk to human health by either increasing the risk of developing cancer …

Tissue Specific Shrna Delivery: A Novel Approach For Gene Therapy In Cancer, Shilenath Ghatak, Viacent Hascall, Franklin Berger, Maria Penas, Celestia Davis, Esmaiel Jabbari, Xuezhong He, James Norris, Yujing Dan, Roger Markwaid, Suniti Misra

Esmaiel Jabbari

No abstract provided.

Three-Dimensional Engineered Matrix To Study Cancer Stem Cells And Tumorsphere Formation: Effect Of Matrix Modulus, Xiaoming Yang, Samaneh Sarvestani, Seyedsina Moeinzadeh, Xuezhong He, Esmaiel Jabbari

Esmaiel Jabbari

Maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is regulated by the tumor microenvironment. Synthetic hydrogels provide the flexibility to design three-dimensional (3D) matrices to isolate and study individual factors in the tumor microenvironment. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of matrix modulus on tumorsphere formation by breast cancer cells and maintenance of CSCs in an inert microenvironment without the interference of other factors. In that regard, 4T1 mouse breast cancer cells were encapsulated in inert polyethylene glycol diacrylate hydrogels and the effect of matrix modulus on tumorsphere formation and expression of CSC markers was investigated. The gel …

Nanomedicine, Mark Tuominen

Nanotechnology Teacher Summer Institutes

An overview of nanomedicine. The end goal of nanomedicine is improved diagnostics, treatment and prevention of disease. Nanotechnology holds key to a number of recent and future breakthroughs in medicine.

Imaging Dose In Breast Radiotherapy: Does Breast Size Affect The Dose To The Organs At Risk And The Risk Of Secondary Cancer To The Contralateral Breast?, Vikneswary Batumalai, Alexandra Quinn, Michael Jameson, Geoff Delaney, Lois C. Holloway

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Correct target positioning is crucial for accurate dose delivery in breast radiotherapy resulting in utilisation of daily imaging. However, the radiation dose from daily imaging is associated with increased probability of secondary induced cancer. The aim of this study was to quantify doses associated with three imaging modalities and investigate the correlation of dose and varying breast size in breast radiotherapy. Methods: Planning computed tomography (CT) data sets of 30 breast cancer patients were utilised to simulate the dose received by various organs from a megavoltage computed tomography (MV-CT), megavoltage electronic portal image (MV-EPI) and megavoltage cone-beam computed tomography (MV-CBCT). …

Relationship Between Ct-Derived Gross Tumour Volume (Gtv) And The Fdg-Pet/Ct-Derived Metabolic Tumour Volume (Mtv): An Exploratory Study In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated With Radical Radiotherapy, A Oar, Michael Jameson, I. A Ho Shon, Penny Phan, Lois C. Holloway, Danyang Wang, Joseph Descallar, A Pramana, Shalini K. Vinod, E Koh, M Field

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part B

Poster presentation from The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists 65th Annual Scientific Meeting, 29 October-1 November 2015, Adelaide, Australia

Stimulus-Dependent Differences In Signalling Regulate Epithelial-Mesenchymal Plasticity And Change The Effects Of Drugs In Breast Cancer Cell Lines, Joseph Cursons, Karl-Johan Leuchowius, Mark Waltham, Eva Tomaskovic-Crook, Momeneh Foroutan, Cameron P. Bracken, Andrew Redfern, Edmund J. Crampin, Ian Street, Melissa J. Davis, Erik W. Thompson

Australian Institute for Innovative Materials - Papers

Introduction: The normal process of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is subverted by carcinoma cells to facilitate metastatic spread. Cancer cells rarely undergo a full conversion to the mesenchymal phenotype, and instead adopt positions along the epithelial-mesenchymal axis, a propensity we refer to as epithelial mesenchymal plasticity (EMP). EMP is associated with increased risk of metastasis in breast cancer and consequent poor prognosis. Drivers towards the mesenchymal state in malignant cells include growth factor stimulation or exposure to hypoxic conditions.

Methods: We have examined EMP in two cell line models of breast cancer: the PMC42 system (PMC42-ET and PMC42-LA …

Evaluation Of The Effects Of A Plasma Activated Medium On Cancer Cells, S. Mohades, M. Laroussi, J. Sears, N. Barekzi, H. Razavi

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The interaction of low temperature plasma with liquids is a relevant topic of study to the field of plasma medicine. This is because cells and tissues are normally surrounded or covered by biological fluids. Therefore, the chemistry induced by the plasma in the aqueous state becomes crucial and usually dictates the biological outcomes. This process became even more important after the discovery that plasma activated media can be useful in killing various cancer cell lines. Here, we report on the measurements of concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, a species known to have strong biological effects, produced by application of plasma to …

Killing Adherent And Nonadherent Cancer Cells With The Plasma Pencil, Mounir Laroussi, Soheila Mohades, Nazir Barekzi

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The application of low temperature plasmas in biology and medicine may lead to a paradigm shift in the way various diseases can be treated without serious side effects. Low temperature plasmas generated in gas mixtures that contain oxygen or air produce several chemically reactive species that have important biological implications when they interact with eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells. Here, a review of the effects of low temperature plasma generated by the plasma pencil on different cancerous cells is presented. Results indicate that plasma consistently shows a delayed killing effect that is dose dependent. In addition, there is some evidence that …

Creation Of A 3d Construct To Aid Cell Migration And Promote Cell Capture, Joseph Michael Sanders

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Most cancer-related deaths are attributed to metastasis. The tumor microenvironment is a complex environment which is not fully understood. The Nano Intravital Device (NANIVID) is a versatile, biocompatible device that allows for the manipulation of the tumor microenvironment in vitro and in vivo, providing a platform to study various aspects of tumor progression. The purpose of this study is to modify the NANIVID to resemble the tumor microenvironment in order to allow for a seamless transition from the in vivo environment into the engineered environment within the NANIVID. This engineered microenvironment will promote cell migration and cell capture. It has …

Plasma Processes And Cancer - Special Topical Cluster Of The 2nd Iwpct Meeting, Masaru Hori, Mounir Laroussi, Kai Masur, Yuzuru Ikehara

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

(First paragraph) Although the emerging multidisciplinary field of plasma medicine has been around for nearly two decades important advances have already taken place that could one day revolutionize healthcare and the way various challenging diseases can be treated.1-3Amongst these advances the effects of low temperature plasma (LTP) on cancer cells in vitro and in vivo stand out.4-13Current cancer treatment modalities, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, have serious side effects and tend to lose their benefits to the patients after a while. Therefore, novel and improved therapies that can be used alone …

Implantable Polymer/Metal Thin Film Structures For The Localized Treatment Of Cancer By Joule Heating, Nima Rahbar, Kwabena Kan-Dapaah, Christian Theriault, Wole Soboyejo

Nima Rahbar

This paper presents an implantable polymer/metal alloy thin film structure for localized post-operative treatment of breast cancer. A combination of experiments and models is used to study the temperature changes due to Joule heating by patterned metallic thin films embedded in poly-dimethylsiloxane. The heat conduction within the device and the surrounding normal/cancerous breast tissue is modeled with three-dimensional finite element method (FEM). The FEM simulations are used to explore the potential effects of device geometry and Joule heating on the temperature distribution and lesion (thermal dose). The FEM model is validated using a gel model that mimics biological media. The …