Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Digestion Of Municipal Wastewater Biosolids Using An Anaerobic Fluidized Bed Bioreactor (Anfbr), Zhenqi Wang

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This research investigated the efficacy of the anaerobic fluidized bed bioreactor (AnFBR) technology in treating municipal wastewater sludges. Primary sludge (PS) and thickened waste activated sludge (TWAS) were studied in two lab-scale AnFBRs using High-density polyethylene (HDPE) as carrier media. PS was investigated at various organic loading rates (OLRs) ranging from 9 to 18 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/m³-d corresponding to hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 2 to 4 days, with maximum COD and volatile suspended solid (VSS) removal efficiency of 70% and 72%, respectively. For TWAS, VSS destruction efficiency varied from 53% at an HRT of 4 …

Targeted Drug Delivery System For Kidney And/Or Liver Failure Patients Using Human Serum Albumin, Sean Bedingfield

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Compromised liver and/or kidney function reduces the acceptable dosage of a variety of medications that can be administered to patients. These patients still have a need for drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antivirals, and antibiotics. The project goal is to provide a drug delivery system to accommodate these reduced dosage limits with added therapeutic benefits to address symptoms of liver or kidney failure. Localized drug delivery allows for a smaller, concentrated dose rather than inundating the patient's system with the drug of interest. Human serum albumin (HSA) is a researched candidate for drug delivery with therapeutic properties. HSA …

Vascular Reactivity In Newly-Formed And Mature Arterialized Collateral Capillaries, Sara K. Hellstrom

Master's Theses

Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) is a globally-prevalent cardiovascular disease in which atherosclerotic plaques narrow arterial lumen diameters and restrict blood flow to downstream tissues. The impact of these occlusions can be mitigated by collateral vessels that connect parallel arterial branches and act as natural bypasses to maintain perfusion. In animal models that lack collateral arterioles, capillaries that connect terminal arteriolar segments can arterialize and form functional collaterals following an ischemic event; however, in the early stages of development, vasodilation is impaired. We explored the mechanism of impaired vasodilation in arterialized collateral capillaries (ACCs) and pre-existing collaterals (PECs) by evaluating …

The Discovery And Study Of Fluvirucin B1 Polyketide Synthase, Tsung-Yi Lin

Doctoral Dissertations

Rapidly decreasing numbers of viable therapeutic leads in the pharmaceutical pipeline demand new, sustainable methods for improved drug discovery and development. Despite vast improvements in de novo drug design and target recognition, Nature remains the richest source of small molecule therapeutics. Among many natural products, polyketides are not only the most promising ones for developing new antibiotic leads, but also exhibit unusually high therapeutic value ranging from clinical use as anticancer, antiviral, and immunosuppressant drugs. Modular polyketide synthases (PKSs) are dedicated nano-machinery that can be manipulated to produce a structurally diverse library for drug discovery programs. The ability to manipulate …

Self-Assembly Of Gold Nanosphere Dimers By Inertial Force, George Andrew Christopher Sakhel

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The morphology and composition of a nanoparticle (NP) play a critical role in determining the NP's properties and function. To date, researchers have created a myriad of NPs of different shapes, sizes, and compositions with interesting attributes and applications ushering a revolution in medicine, electronics, microscopy, and microfluidics.

In this study, gold (Au) nanosphere dimers (NSDs) have been synthesized through a novel self-assembly method. These particles were created from Au NPs mono-dispersed in aqueous solution via a process of centrifugation and capping agent replacement. Au NSDs consist of two Au NPs combined together with minimal gaps between them. Optical spectral …

Clear Circuit Contact Lens, Paul Hecker Ii, Phillip Azar, Alexander Do, Benny Ng, Errol Leon

Electrical Engineering

The clear active contact lens project aims to address safety and hazard awareness with an unexplored field of eye wear technology. With advancements in nanotechnology and the advent of circuits on contact lens, this project is one of the first research and development into this new field, following University of Washington and Google. The team focuses on the safety and biocompatibility of the contact lens for a comfortable ease of use. The designs push the limits of thin film printed technology with its pursuit of fine designs of 250μm antennas. The project streamlines the manufacturing process for a combination substrate …

Smooth Muscle Cell Organization In The Stem Region Of The Gracilis Collateral Circulation, Amanda Krall

Biomedical Engineering

Many patients who suffer from the ischemic Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease (PAOD) experience intermittent claudication, which can be attributed to impaired vasodilation. Collateral vessels are the primary site of resistance to blood flow downstream; therefore maximizing vasodilation in collaterals is crucial for efficient circulation. Collaterals function as natural bypasses around the occluded arteries and the increase in flow into these vessels causes them to outwardly remodel into conduit vessels. However, functional vasodilation in the stem region of collateral vessels is impaired at day 7 following femoral ligation, which can be attributed to smooth muscle cell malfunction. However, the increase in …

In Vivo Evaluation Of An Automated Pressure Sore Reducer, Linda J. Cross

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Optimization Of Wastewater Microalgae Pretreatment For Acetone, Butanol, And Ethanol Fermentation, Yessica A. Castro

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation from wastewater microalgae by Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4 is a novel bioprocess that utilizes waste substrate to generate valuable solvents. Butanol, the most abundant product resulting from ABE fermentation, is an environmentally safe and high performing fuel that can be utilized as a drop-in-fuel; however, high operational costs and low ABE yield present challenge in scale-up of the process. The utilization of algae as a substrate requires pretreatment prior to fermentation to increase the bioavailability of the algal fermentable sugars and to improve the conditions of the pre-fermentation medium. The purpose of this thesis was to optimize wastewater …

Sustainable Production Of Novel Biomaterials In Escherichia Coli, Asif Rahman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The biotechnology revenues in the United States exceeded $100 billion in 2010 and the potential impact of synthetic biological engineering has been identified nationally as an emerging technology to further expand the national bioeconomy. Synthetic biological engineering approaches biology from an engineering perspective to make biology easier to engineer. The potential to engineer microorganisms for novel applications can have far-reaching implications and benefits for society. Some of the potential applications range from biosensors, biofuels, therapeutics, and biomaterials.

In this study two biomaterials were produced in genetically engineered Escherichia coli: polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs) and spider silk. PHBs are bioplastics that have …

Alkaloid Production By Hairy Root Cultures, Bo Zhao

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In the present research, nicotine alkaloid production by Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) hairy roots and tropane alkaloid production by Hyoscyamus niger hairy roots were investigated. The first objective of this research was to improve the oxygen mass transfer in hairy root cultures with microbubbles. Oxygen was shown as a critical nutrient for the growth of tobacco and H. niger hairy roots. In a 1-liter fermentor, microbubble dispersion improved the oxygen mass transfer, tobacco hairy root growth, and nicotine production in the medium. In a novel ground-joint column bioreactor, microbubbles enhanced the oxygen mass transfer and the growth of H. niger hairy …

Effect Of Poultry Litter Biochar On Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Growth And Ethanol Production From Steam-Exploded Poplar And Corn Stover, Oumou Diallo

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The use of ethanol produced from lignocellulosic biomass for transportation fuel offers solutions in reducing environmental emission and the use of non-renewable fuels. However, lignocellulosic ethanol production is still hampered by economic and technical obstacles. For instance, the inhibitory effect of toxic compounds produced during biomass pretreatment was reported to inhibit the fermenting microorganisms, hence there was a decrease in ethanol yield and productivity. Thus, there is a need to improve the bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol in order to promote its commercialization. The research reported here investigated the use of poultry litter biochar to improve the ethanol production …

Metabolic Modeling Of Spider Silk Production In E. Coli, Sarah Allred

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Spider silk has the potential to be a useful biomaterial due to its high tensile strength and elasticity. It is also biocompatible and biodegradable, making it useful for wound dressings and sutures, tissue and bone scaffolds, vessels for drug delivery, and ligament and tendon replacements. In some studies where spider silk has been used to grow cells, the silk has promoted more cell growth than the control. However, it is difficult to obtain the high volume of silk needed for these undertakings on a large scale. Spiders are territorial and cannibalistic, so they cannot be easily farmed. Therefore, spider silk …

Distribution Of Heavy Metals From Flue Gas In Algal Bioreactor, Katerine Napan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Algae are microscopic organisms with a great potential to produce biomass and lipids at productivities several times higher than terrestrial crops. To grow, these organisms consume carbon dioxide (CO₂), a greenhouse gas. This gas, emitted primarily by power plants after coal burning, can be effectively used for algae production, thus resulting in CO₂ remediation and biomass beneficial utilization as feedstuff, industrial filler and biodiesel feedstock. However, since coal is a fuel mined from the earth’s crust, it contains heavy metals that are released during coal burning and inevitably enter the algal cultivation system, contaminating the water were …

Mechanical And Physical Properties Of Spider Silk Films Made From Organic And Water-Based Dopes, Chauncey Lewis Tucker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Spider silk has become a popular material due to its exceptional mechanical and biocompatibility properties. The project team has developed methods of producing and improving the properties of synthetic spider silk films. Other groups have been able to produce similar films having less than impressive mechanical properties using a toxic solvent. The spider silk team here at Utah State University has developed a new way of processing these films to more than triple their mechanical properties and has created a novel form of spider silk films produced from a water-based liquid, making it less expensive, more environmentally friendly, and more …

Bioactivity And Cell-Mediated Targeting Of Multistage Nanoporous Silicon Particles, Jonathan O. Martinez

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Progress in drug delivery approaches have not adequately translated into clinical advances in the diagnosis or treatment of inflammatory disorders (e.g., cancer). This disconnect is rooted in the inefficient delivery of imaging and therapeutic agents to the inflamed site upon systemic delivery. A multitude of biological barriers pose insurmountable obstacles limiting the ability of the agent to effectively reach and accumulate at the target site. Nanoparticles (NP) surfaced as potential vectors to encapsulate and deliver biological agents. However, even after surface decoration, NP have failed to evade biological barriers (i.e., MPS) and to accumulate at the tumor site at therapeutic …

Cryoprotectant Loading In A Microchannel, Shelby Pursley

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Computational Modeling Of Drug Release From Bone Scaffolds, Corey Landry

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Shelf Life Of Benzoyl Peroxide Coated Nozzles For Bone Cement Application, Alysen Leigh Demzik

Honors Capstone Projects - All

Two-solution bone cements (TSBC) were developed to address the limitations of current powder-liquid bone cements, however are characterized by a limited shelf life due to spontaneous free radical polymerization. As a solution to pre-polymerization concerns, the initiator benzoyl peroxide (BPO) was removed from the cement solution and incorporated into a thin film coating within the static mixing nozzle, allowing the BPO to integrate with the TSBC as it is mixed for use. Only short-term storage of BPO-coated nozzles and the subsequent effects on bone cement properties is known. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of time, …

Excimer-Monomer Switching Molecular Beacon: The Study On Synthetic Cryptosporidium Dna Detection, Thermodynamics, And Magnesium Effects, Michael L. Davis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study is to quantify and determine the binding of a molecular DNA probe or molecular beacon used in the detection of a known waterborne pathogen Cryptosporidium parvum. The objectives of this study are to determine the stability, sensitivity, and selectivity of the molecular beacon in detecting synthesized Cryptosporidium DNA sequences. The designed probe is based on a two-fluorophore system that is different than similar molecular beacons that utilize a fluorophore and quencher detection method. A comparative study between the two probes was also performed to demonstrate enhanced selectivity of the fluorophore based molecular beacon. Magnesium …

Surface Functionalization And Bioconjugation Of Nanoparticles For Biomedical Applications, Longyan Chen

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Colloidal inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) have been attracting considerable interest in biomedicine, from drug and gene delivery to imaging, sensing and diagnostics. It is essential to modify the surface of nanoparticles to have enhanced biocompatibility and functionality for the in vitro and in vivo applications, especially in delivering locally and recognizing biomolecules. Herein, the goal of this research work is to develop advanced NPs with well-tailored surface functionalities and/or bio-functionality for the applications in cell tracking and analytes detection.

In the first project, quantum dots incorporating with gelatin nanoparticles (QDs-GNPs) have been developed for bioimaging applications. Two different approaches have been …

Evaluation Of Tissue-Engineered Tendon Enthesis Polymer Constructs, Joshua A. Bundy Bs, Mary Beth Wade Phd, Hitomi Nakao Md, Phillip Mcclellan Phd, Qing Yu Phd, Robin Jacquet-Childs Ms, William J. Landis Phd

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Both scientists and clinicians have proposed tissue engineering as the future of medicine. The possibilities for tissue engineering, that is, fabrication of tissues and organs in the laboratory and their translation to patients, appear to be endless, and many believe that this new approach in medicine will result in abolishing many common ailments, injuries, and congenital defects. Injuries to a tendon enthesis, the normal tissue connection between tendon and bone, are of particular concern to clinicians because of their frequency and failure to repair as a result of surgery. While these injuries may not be life threatening, they can certainly …

Developing Genetic Tools For Geobacillus, Brittany Artale

Honors Theses and Capstones

Bacillus and Geobacillus are the primary bacterium used in biotechnology industries due to their ability to excrete extracellular materials such as proteins, enzymes and other byproducts. Bacillus subtilis, has a well-characterized competence machinery, giving way to characterized genetic tools. However, a significant problem associated with working with Bacillus is the regulation of endospore formation. An alternative to Bacillus is Geobacillus, a thermophilic bacterium. Thermophiles offer significant advantages over other bacteria as host organisms in biofuel, bioremediation, and biocatalyst processes. However, the genetic tools and competency associated with Geobacillus is still unknown. Through, genetic engineering the ability …