Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Mechanisms Of Ventricular Catheter Obstruction, Mohamed Khalil Attie Ms, Christopher Roberts Ms, Carolyn Harris Phd

Medical Student Research Symposium

Background: Hydrocephalus is treated primarily with ventriculoperitoneal shunts, which fail over time mainly due to proximal ventricular catheter (VC) obstruction of the drainage holes. Prior computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies based on idealized geometries have suggested that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) preferentially enters distal holes due to lower resistance, thereby increasing the risk of obstruction at those locations. However, these models do not incorporate explanted VC data, patient-specific anatomy, or differences in catheter architecture.

Methods: To evaluate whether flow distribution matches failure sites, we compared obstruction patterns from 30 explanted catheters with CFD simulations of four commercial VC designs. For every …

A Platform For Acquiring And Classifying Low-Noise Electrocardiogram Signals For Applications In Cardiovascular Monitoring, Begmamat Berdimurodovich Dushanov, Narzullo Mamatov Dr.

Technical science and innovation

The early screening and continuous monitoring of cardiovascular diseases need effective acquisition and smart processing of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. In this article, we introduce a compact platform designed for the acquisition of low-noise ECG signals and classification of the signals using a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN). Our compact platform consists of a low-noise analog front-end (AFE), including an instrumentation amplifier and a chain of analog filters, along with a data acquisition component designed to ensure effective suppression of baseline wander and high frequencies. Our compact platform consumes a low amount of power and can therefore be used for continuous …

Using Machine Learning Algorithms To Clarify Relationships Between Soil Properties And Lead Stomach Bioaccessibility, Shehan Wijesinghe, Dibyendu Sarkar, Hadeer Saleh, Khalid Mustafa, Smitha Rao, Rupali Datta

Michigan Tech Publications

Featured Application: This paper has important applications in environmental health risk assessment and urban soil remediation planning. By demonstrating how machine learning can predict lead bioaccessibility in lead paint-contaminated soil, the study provides a scalable, cost-effective alternative to laboratory-based extraction methods. Such models could support rapid screening of contaminated sites, helping prioritize high-risk areas for intervention and allocate remediation resources more efficiently. This model is expected to advance data-driven decision-making for managing lead-contaminated soils and protect vulnerable urban populations from exposure. Lead contamination in urban soils, primarily from deteriorating lead-based paint, poses a significant health risk in the United States. …

The Stability Study Of Dna-Polymer Hybrids For Nanotechnology Applications, Ethan Kuehn, Milan Jebaraj

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

DNA nanostructures have garnered increasing interest in their application as drug delivery vehicles. However, DNA is susceptible to degradation under physiological conditions. To remedy this, we have devised a novel method to coat DNA nanostructures with the polysaccharide chitosan (a natural derivative of chitin). Chitosan binds to DNA electrostatically and inhibits nuclease activity that would normally degrade DNA in a physiological environment. We used both agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to determine the stability of DNA before and after immersion in a simulated biological environment. Physiological conditions were mimicked by incubating the DNA in cell culture …

Dendrimer Nanogels With Built-In Free Radical Scavenging Enable Efficient Topical Delivery Of A Hydrophilic Antioxidant To Restore Lens Redox Balance For Cataract Treatment, Lin Qi, Huari Kou, Anna Chernatynskaya, Da Huang, Vimalin Jeyalatha Mani, Humeyra Karacal, Nuran Ercal, Hu Yang

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Cataract is a leading cause of vision impairment worldwide and are primarily caused by oxidative stress that damages and aggregates lens proteins, leading to lens opacification. However, the eye's anatomical barriers limit the penetration and bioavailability of antioxidant therapies. To address this challenge, a dendrimer-based nanogel with a built-in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging capability developed by us was employed to deliver the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to the lens. NAC was loaded into a generation-5 PEGylated poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (G5-PEG-TK, termed the GPT) nanogel. The resulting NAC-GPT was characterized for its ROS-scavenging activity, bioavailability, and corneal permeability. The efficacy of NAC-GPT was …

Matrix-Bound Tenascin-C Directs Neuronal Differentiation Through Stiffness-Tuned Meha Hydrogels Mimicking The Spinal Cord Microenvironment, Rounak Pokharel, Vasanti Dhakate, Jessica Onyak, Elif Ertugral, Chandrasekhar R. Kothapalli, Nic D. Leipzig

Chemical & Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to a complex remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM), where Tenascin-C (TNC) is strongly upregulated during the early phases of the injury cascade. While TNC is known to influence neural cell behavior, its functional role and mode of presentation in guiding neuronal differentiation remains unclear. In this study, we developed a stiffness-controlled methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA) hydrogel platform that mimics the mechanical properties of the spinal cord and enables defined matrix immobilization of TNC. In vivo analyses showed elevated TNC expression from day 1, with the strongest perilesional signal during the subacute period (1 week-1 …

Using Ai To Predict Energy Expenditure In Lower Limb Prosthesis Users, Nelly Diaz, Siem Hadish

Posters - 2026

• Computer vision has evolved from simple image classification and object detection to analyzing human motion and biomechanics (1). • CNN’s are usually focused on image classification, but, in this case, we are not asking the model if a person is walking. • Many real-world problems require regression: Predicting a continuous number like energy expenditure of walking is a complex task. • It is essential for Prosthetists to understand energy expenditure of their prosthetic patients (2). • An amputee may use 20-30% more energy to walk. • In this project, we developed an AI model to analyze human motion and …

Evaluating Human Rod Photoreceptor Function Using Pixelwise Intensity-Based Optoretinography, Gao Yang, Mina Gaffney, Robert F. Cooper

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: More than 50 inherited retinal diseases are known, with rod photoreceptor functional loss serving as an early indicator in nearly half of them. The “optoretinogram” is a relatively new assay that detects optical changes in cells in response to stimuli. This tool has excellent potential for providing insights into the earliest functional changes of rod photoreceptors, with the potential to assist in the early detection, monitoring, and treatment of retinal diseases.

Methods: In this work, we obtained intensity-based optoretinograms (iORGs) from rod photoreceptors using an adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope. We explore the necessity of both individual rod identification …

Severity And Duration-Dependent Aortic Stiffening In A Rabbit Coarctation Model Identifies Constitutive Material Parameters As Promising Regional Biomarkers For Hypertension Progression, Arash Ghorbannia, Jamasp Azarnoosh, John F. Ladisa Jr.

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) alters hemodynamics and drives regional remodeling, yet the influence of severity and duration on constitutive properties is undefined. We quantified mechanical responses from CoA to identify constitutive parameters capturing stiffening across clinical severities and durations. Mild (≤ 12 mmHg), intermediate (13–20 mmHg), and severe (> 20 mmHg) CoA was created in rabbits for short, long, and prolonged durations (~ 1, 3, or 22 weeks, respectively). Stress–stretch curves from proximal and distal regions were fit with multiple constitutive models (Linear Elastic, Neo-Hookean, Yeoh, Ogden, Mooney–Rivlin, Holzapfel). Model performance was evaluated by normalized RMSE and R², with …

Development And Acceptability Of A Patient Decision Aid For People With Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: An International Mixed-Methods Study, Andrew R. Gamble, David B. Anderson, Marnee J. Mckay, Benjamin M. Davies, Sophie Macpherson, James Van Gelder, Tammy Hoffmann, Kirsten Mccaffery, Samuel X. Stevens, Carlo Ammendolia, Rohil V. Chauhan, Carl M. Zipser, Timothy F. Boerger, Lindsay A. Tetreault, Michael G. Fehlings, Elanor Dustan, Carolyn Nugent, Helen Holmgren, Andreas K. Demetriades, Justin M. Lantz, Rana Dhillon, Chris G. Maher, Joshua R. Zadro

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Objectives To develop and user-test a patient decision aid for people diagnosed with degenerative cervical myelopathy and who are considering surgery.

Design Mixed-methods study describing the development of a patient decision aid.

Setting A draft decision aid was developed by a multidisciplinary steering group (including study authors with degenerative cervical myelopathy, health professionals and researchers) informed by the best available evidence, authorship consensus and existing patient decision aids.

Participants Patient-participants and health professional-participants who manage people with degenerative cervical myelopathy were recruited through social media and the steering group’s research and practice network. Quantitative questionnaires were used to gather baseline …

Bio-Payload Senior Design Report, Connor Bishop, Oliver Goodall, Marcus Kirk, Gabby Robles, Anish Shanmuganathan

Interdisciplinary Design Senior Theses

This project focuses on the design and development of an autonomous experimental platform capable of conducting cellular biology experiments in a well plate within a CubeSat environment. The system integrates microfluidics, robotics, and onboard sensors to remotely initiate experiments, monitor them, and collect data without human intervention. The objective is to create a platform for automated biological experimentation in microgravity, while reducing reliance on ground-based control and increasing mission efficiency and reproducibility. The team used Saccharomyces cerevisiae to assess the biocompatibility of the well plate and monitor changes in cell culture, including optical density and cell viability.

Evaluation Of An Affordable Prosthetic Liner In Resource Limited Settings, Samerial Brown

Posters - 2026

The lower limb prosthesis is an important assistive technology for persons with limb amputations and differences. The interface (prosthetic liner) between the rigid prosthetic socket and the residual limb is often made of silicone, urethane or thermoplastic elastomer gel. This material provides cushioning and support as well as suspension for the transtibial (below knee) prosthetic leg. Unfortunately the cost of liners range from $3-$600. This cost precludes its use in resource limited settings such as Sri Lanka. As a result patients are fit with a foam liner which has less cushioning and suspension capabilities than a gel type liner. This …

Electromyography, Prosthetic Properties, And Running Biomechanics In Recreationally Active Persons With Lower Extremity Amputation, Paige M. Agnew

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Lower extremity loss affects nearly 150,000 individuals in the United States yearly yielding extreme health care costs annually. Typically, prosthetic devices are prescribed for 5-8 years despite known changes to an individual’s gait as time progresses. Patients can expect to undergo approximately 8-12 weeks of gait retraining to improve their comfort and efficiency. Biomechanical changes occur when running with a specific running prosthetic including considerable biomechanical and neuromuscular interlimb asymmetries and alterations in loading patterns. The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the biomechanical demands for lower extremity prosthesis users during running. The first study synthesized peer reviewed evidence …

Fabrication Of Flexible Laser-Induced Graphene-Based Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensor For Diabetes Management, Reagan Aviha

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This research focuses on developing a flexible non-enzymatic glucose sensor to address the issues of cost, stability, and limited sensitivity associated with enzymatic glucose sensors. Regular monitoring of glucose levels is required to manage the global health challenge of diabetes. The sensor is built on a cost-effective, durable, flexible, conductive, and high-surface-area substrate acting as a scaffold for modification with easily tunable and electroactive species to enhance glucose detection. The electroactive materials used are zinc oxide (ZnO), palladium (Pd) and platinum (Pt). Laser-induced graphene (LIG) is created by laser engraving. ZnO, Pd and Pt are electrochemically deposited and optimized based …

Bioengineering The Future Of The Human Species: H+’S Ideological Iterations Of Trans-/Posthumanity As Exemplified By Futurist Literary Texts = (Bio)Technological Solutions For (And/Or) Reification Of Systemic Inequities?, Marjorie E. Bomhower

English Theses & Dissertations

While humanity has, throughout our species’ history, endeavored to dream and create astonishing, and ever-evolving, (bio)technologies with the utopian ideals of bettering our day-to day lives and achieving greater longevity, our endeavors have (thus far) not only produced remarkable, beneficial advances in longevity and quality of life, but have also yielded devastating and dire outcomes; often at the cost and victimization of marginalized communities. This dissertation focuses on select (bio)technologies – particularly, those promoted by H+ (the most current and popular technoutopianist non-profit, “educational,” organization) – with an investigation of current and nascent (bio)technological evolutions, futurist literary texts, and critical/digital …

Numerical Study Of Nutrient Mixing In Trabecular Bone In Microgravity, Disuse And Normogravity, Sagar Gharti

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Mechanical loading is known to regulate bone remodeling by driving interstitial fluid flow which stimulates cells and drives nutrient transport within the trabecular network. In microgravity, the absence of mechanical stimulation or loading suppresses convective flow processes, causing diffusion-driven nutrient mixing and renewal, and accelerated bone loss. This thesis investigates how oscillation frequency and trabecular bone density jointly control nutrient mixing and wall shear stress within trabecular cavities.

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) framework is developed in STAR-CCM+ using a soft-cap oscillation model that mimics cyclic compression. Three idealized trabecular morphologies are simulated across different frequencies to represent microgravity or …

Mechanisms Of Synergy Between Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field (Nspef) And Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Discharge (Cap) In Pancreatic Cancer: The Role Of Ros-Mediated Oxidative Stress And Apoptosis, Zobia Minhas

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a highly lethal malignancy characterized by poor prognosis and resistance to conventional therapies. Novel treatment strategies are needed to overcome this resistance. Non-thermal physical modalities, including nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) and cold atmospheric pressure plasma discharge (CAP), have emerged as potential anticancer approaches; however, the mechanisms underlying their combined effects remain unclear.

This study evaluated whether nsPEF enhances CAP-induced cytotoxicity and investigated the associated molecular mechanisms using the murine Pan02 pancreatic cancer cell line. Cell viability was assessed by WST-1 metabolic activity assays and electric cell–substrate impedance sensing (ECIS). Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were …

Plant-Mediated Green Synthesis Of Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles: Mechanisms, Properties, And Advanced Applications In Environmental And Biomedical Fields, Rihab Jabbar

Al-Bahir

Recently, plant-mediated green synthesis has emerged as a sustainable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective strategy for synthesizing zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄) nanoparticles (NPs). This review critically examines the advancements in biosynthesizing ZnFe₂O₄ NPs using various plant extracts, including Aloe vera, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Aegle marmelos, Eucalyptus leaves, Tragacanth gum, Piper nigrum, and Moringa oleifera, among others. It emphasizes their dual role as reducing, capping, chelating, and stabilizing agents. The article extensively compares physicochemical properties of the green-synthesized NPs in terms of crystallite size, morphology, magnetic behavior, and band gap energy. Achieved through different synthesis routes such as sol-gel, hydrothermal, co-precipitation, and microwave-assisted methods. …

Recombinant Gelonin: Purification And Functional Validation For Electroporation-Assisted Delivery, Eleni Zivla, Giedrė Šilkūnienė, Andrei G. Pakhomov, Mantas Šilkūnas, Olga N. Pakhomova

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Type I ribosome-inactivating proteins, such as gelonin, are enzymatically potent toxins but are effectively non-toxic under physiological conditions because they are unable to cross the plasma membrane[1]. Pulsed electric fields (PEF) overcome this delivery barrier by transiently permeabilizing the plasma membrane, allowing direct cytosolic entry. This enhances gelonin cytotoxicity by several thousand-fold, highlighting gelonin’s potential as an electrochemotherapy candidate[2]. Here, we present a recombinant gelonin (rGel) expression platform in E. coli with HPLC-based purification that enables reproducible protein production and structure-guided engineering.

The mature gelonin sequence (residues 47–297) was cloned into pET-32a(+) with an N-terminally fused Trx-6×His tag and TEV …

Application Of Microbial Fuel Cells For Leachate Bioremediation: The Effects Of Nutrient Nourishment, Umi Sholikah, Fidela Chosta, Tegar Palyus Fiqar, Eka Masrifatus Anifah, Riza Hudayarizka, Tadashi Hibino

Makara Journal of Science

Leachate contains a high organic content, which can cause environmental pollution. The organic content in leachate can be removed through bioremediation using microbial fuel cell (MFC) systems to remediate pollutants and generate bioelectricity. Organic matter is important to the MFC process as both a substrate and a nutrient source. This study investigated the effects of glucose and sodium phosphate buffer nourishment on BOD, COD, and TSS removal and bioelectricity generation. This study used leachate as a substrate and a graphite rod with a surface area of about 32.98 cm² as an electrode. The reactor uses plastic blocks with a …