Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Fret Biosensors: Engineering Fluorescent Proteins As Biological Tools For Studying Parkinson’S Disease, Nathan J. Leroy, Jacob R. Norley, Saranya Radhakrishnan, Mathew Tantama

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease with over 200,000 new cases each year. In general, the cause of the disease is unknown, but oxidative stress inside of neurons has been associated with the disease’s pathology for some time. Currently, techniques to study the onset of PD inside of neurons are limited. This makes treatments and causes difficult to discover. One solution to this has been fluorescent protein biosensors. In short, these proteins can be engineered to glow when a certain state is achieved inside a cell. The present research discusses the engineering of a genetically-encoded fluorescent protein (FP) …

Multi-Color Ultra-High Resolution Imaging, David A. Miller, Michael Mlodzianoski, Sheng Liu, Fang Huang

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Fluorescence microscopy, which allows multiple-color imaging, plays an important role in observing structures inside cells with high specificity. The advent of super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, or nanoscopy techniques such as single-molecule switching nanoscopy (SMSN), has extended the application range of fluorescence microscopy beyond the diffraction limit, achieving up to 10-fold improvement in spatial resolution. At the same time, the recent development of expansion microscopy (ExM) allows samples to be physically expanded by 4-fold in the lateral dimensions providing another independent method to resolve structures beyond the diffraction limit. When combined, ExM-SMSN makes it possible to achieve another significant leap in resolution …

Bacterial Motility And Its Role In Biofilm Formation, Clayton J. Culp, Arezoo M. Ardekani, Adib Ahmadzadegan

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Bacterial biofilms are known to cause millions of dollars in damage in the medical industry per year via infection of central venous catheters, urinary catheters, and mechanical heart valves. Unfortunately, there are some characteristics of biofilm formation that are yet to be fully understood. Recently much work has been done to investigate the motility characteristics of bacteria with hopes of better understanding the phenomena of biofilm formation. Still, one of the least understood stages is bacterial attachment or adhesion, a process designed to anchor bacteria in an advantageous environment. Providing a better understanding of bacterial motility near solid interfaces will …

Localized Blood Occlusion Generation In An In-Vitro Circulatory Catheter System, Ryan D. Harris, Qi Yang, Hyowon Lee

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Hydrocephalus is a debilitating neurological disorder that involves the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in a ventricle of the brain. The implantation of a catheter commonly treats hydrocephalus with drainage. These catheters have a short lifespan due to obstruction from biological materials. Shunt systems have an extremely high failure rate of more than 40% failed within 1 year and up to 85% failed within 10 years. Previously, polymer-based flexible implantable magnetic micro-actuators were developed to clean up the catheter by mechanical vibration. We have demonstrated clearing of bacteria attachment and are proceeding to examine clearing effects on larger clotting materials, such …

Single Cell Epigenetics, Li F. Lin, Chongli Yuan, Oscar F. Sanchez-Medina

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Epigenetics refers to the chromatin modifications that can change the expression of phenotypes but does not alter the underlining DNA. These modifications include but are not limited to histone methylation, histone acetylation, and chromatin folding. Studies suggested that methylation can activate or silence the expression of genes; and that histone acetylation can alter the chromatin structure. The changes in chromatin structure can expose hidden transcriptional factor binding sides and thus affect the differentiation potential. Moreover, these histone modifications are affected by the introduction of different metabolites and cellular microenvironment. To achieve a better understanding of how metabolites and environmental chemical …

A Spatial Stochastic Model Of Ampar Trafficking And Subunit Dynamics, Tyler Vandyk, Matthew C. Pharris, Tamara L. Kinzer-Ursem

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

In excitatory neurons, the ability of a synaptic connection to strengthen or weaken is known as synaptic plasticity and is thought to be the cellular basis for learning and memory. Understanding the mechanism of synaptic plasticity is an important step towards understanding and developing treatment methods for learning and memory disorders. A key molecular process in synaptic plasticity for mammalian glutamatergic neurons is the exocytosis (delivery to the synapse) of AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs). While the protein signaling pathways responsible for exocytosis have long been investigated with experimental methods, it remains unreasonable to study the system in its full complexity …

The Response Of Schwann Cells To Weak Dc Electric Fields, Alexander T. Lai, Jianming Li

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Schwann cells are glial cells that serve the vital role of supporting neurons in the peripheral nervous system. While their primary function is to provide insulation (myelin) for axons, they also help regenerate injured axons by digesting severed axons and providing scaffolding to guide the regeneration process. This specific role of Schwann cells makes them highly important cellular targets following nerve injury. Although some efforts have been made to encourage Schwann cell migration after nerve damage, the use of electric fields to control cell responses remain unexplored; therefore, this experiment serves to characterize the behavior of Schwann cells to weak …

Comparative Analysis Of Nanoscale Ultrasound Contrast Agents, Elly Y. Lambert, Luis Solorio

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Current ultrasound contrast agents utilize microbubbles as a blood pooling agent, but the size inhibits access to small capillaries. The development of nanoscale ultrasound contrast agents can enter small capillaries of tissues and aid in the detection of diseased states. However, current nano-formulations are flushed from the body over a short period of time. We developed a nanoscale ultrasound contrast agent with increased circulation time to allow for better detection of diseased states in the microvasculature of the body. Characterization (zeta potential, size, echogenicity and stability) and pharmacokinetic analysis were conducted on three nanoscale formulations: 1) Liquid based Bovine Serum …

Endothelial Function Is Associated With White Matter Microstructure And Executive Function In Older Adults, Nathan F. Johnson, Brian T. Gold, Christopher A. Brown, Emily F. Anggelis, Alison L. Bailey, Jody L. Clasey, David K. Powell

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

Age-related declines in endothelial function can lead to cognitive decline. However, little is known about the relationships between endothelial function and specific neurocognitive functions. This study explored the relationship between measures of endothelial function (reactive hyperemia index; RHI), white matter (WM) health (fractional anisotropy, FA, and WM hyperintensity volume, WMH), and executive function (Trail Making Test (TMT); Trail B - Trail A). Participants were 36 older adults between the ages of 59 and 69 (mean age = 63.89 years, SD = 2.94). WMH volume showed no relationship with RHI or executive function. However, there was a positive relationship between RHI …

A Long-Term Follow-Up Of Young Adults With Idiopathic Clubfoot: Does Foot Morphology Relate To Pain?, Adam Graf, Ken N. Kuo, Nikhil T. Kurapati, Joseph J. Krzak, Sahar Hassani, Angela Caudill, Ann Flanagan, Gerald F. Harris, Peter A. Smith

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Background:

Individuals with clubfoot, treated in infancy with either the Ponseti method or comprehensive clubfoot release, often encounter pain as adults. Multiple studies have characterized residual deformity after Ponseti or surgical correction using physical exam, radiographs and pedobarography; however, the relationship between residual foot deformity and pain is not well defined. The purpose of the current study was 2-fold: (1) to evaluate the relationship between foot morphology and pain for young adults treated as infants for idiopathic clubfoot and (2) to describe and compare pedobarographic measures and outcome measures of pain and morphology among surgically treated, Ponseti treated, and typically …

Metabolic, Hemodynamic And Electrophysiological Effects Of Transcranial Photobiomodulation (Tpbm) On The Human Brain, Xinlong Wang

Bioengineering Dissertations - Archive

Photobiomodulation (PBM) refers to the use of red-to-near-infrared light to stimulate cellular functions for physiological or clinical benefits. Transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) is a noninvasive form of cerebral photobiomodulation that has been observed with various improvements in human cognitive functions. The mechanism of tPBM is assumed to rely on photon absorption by cytochrome c oxidase (CCO), the terminal enzyme in the mitochondrial respiratory chain that catalyzes the reduction of oxygen for energy metabolism. However, few studies have objectively investigated hemodynamic, metabolic and electrophysiological response of the human brain to tPBM. To address this gap, my dissertation research has focused on objective …

Understanding Key Genetic Mutations And Molecular Alterations On Increasing Migration, Viability, Drug Resistance Of Malignant Brain Tumor In Confinement, Loan Thuy Bui

Bioengineering Dissertations - Archive

There are more than 120 types of primary brain and central nervous system tumors that affect people of all ages. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), for example, is the most frequent type of brain cancers and also among the deadliest of all cancers due to its high invasiveness and resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. Recently, most genetic mutations of malignant brain tumors have been well characterized, but the focus on migrating cancers that directly cause invasion is still in its infancy. We have learned from the literature that most glioma cells infiltrate surrounding brain tissue via by the confined tracks, and fascinated …

Naturally-Derived Extracellular Matrix Materials For Meniscus Repair And Regeneration, Jinglei Wu

Bioengineering Dissertations - Archive

Human meniscus plays critical roles in a knee joint by transmitting weight-bearing force, absorbing shock, and stabilizing the knee joint capsule. Meniscal injuries are mainly caused by sports-related activities and age-related degeneration, which significantly reduce the life quality of patients. The injured meniscus has a very limited self-healing capability due to its poorly vascularized nature, specifically in the inner area. Surgical interventions are required to treat the injured meniscus, but the current treatments are not satisfactory because the post-surgery complications are frequently observed. Therefore, tissue regeneration approaches are developed to repair and functionally restore injured menisci. In this thesis, we …

Techniques To Improve Ultrasound-Switchable Fluorescence Imaging, Jayanth Kandukuri

Bioengineering Dissertations - Archive

Novel approaches to the improvement of ultrasound-switchable fluorescence (USF) imaging—a relatively new imaging modality that combines ultrasound and optical imaging techniques—have been proposed for early cancer detection. In USF, a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) beam is used to induce temperature rise within its acoustic focal region due to which a thermo-sensitive USF contrast agent undergoes a switch in its state by increasing the output of fluorescence photons. By using an increase in fluorescence, one can isolate and quantify the fluorescence properties within the ultrasonic focal area. Therefore, USF is able to provide fluorescence contrast while maintaining ultrasound resolution in tissue. …

Change Of Brain Network Connectivity Among Different Human Vigilance States Investigated By Eeg, Yudhajit Das

Bioengineering Theses - Archive

Understanding the brain network connectivity associated with human vigilance states, to investigate the basic neural processes that underlie complex higher-order cognitive operations and functional domains, has become an important topic in biological science research. Also, there is growing concern about the prevalence and effects of sleep deprivation. Given the increasingly fast-paced nature of our society, the focus of the researchers is not only to identify the changes occurring within the brain during sleeping stages, but also to extract meaningful psycho-behavioral reason behind such change patterns which can lead to an improved understanding of brain activity during sleep which may further …

Characterization Of The High Frequency Alternating Current Block In The Rat Sciatic Nerve Using Cuff Electrodes And Macro-Sieve Electrodes, Soumyajit Ray

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Tripolar cuff electrodes were designed, fabricated and non-chronically implanted in the sciatic nerve of two-month-old Lewis rats. A proximal constant current stimulus to the nerve was blocked by applying a high frequency sinusoidal signal to the distally placed tripolar cuff electrode. The frequency voltage characteristic of the blocking signal was obtained. Complete block was not achieved using variants of the tripolar cuff design and bipolar cuff electrodes. Single and dual macro-sieve electrode assemblies were designed, fabricated and chronically implanted in the sciatic nerve of Lewis rats. After a four-month period for regeneration four different electrode configurations were tested to enable …

Dynamic Rating Of Overhead Transmission Lines Over Complex Terrain Using A Large-Eddy Simulation Paradigm, Tyler Phillips, Ray Deleon, Inanc Senocak

Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) enables rating of power line conductors using real-time weather conditions. Conductors are typically operated based on a conservative static rating that assumes worst case weather conditions to avoid line sagging to unsafe levels. Static ratings can cause unnecessary congestion on transmission lines. To address this potential issue, a simulation-based dynamic line rating approach is applied to an area with moderately complex terrain. A micro-scale wind solver — accelerated on multiple graphics processing units (GPUs) — is deployed to compute wind speed and direction in the vicinity of powerlines. The wind solver adopts the large-eddy simulation technique …

Preparation, Characterization And Biological Activity Evaluation Of Some Metal Complexes From Novel Schiff Bases Based On Ambroxol Drug, Hoda Ahmed, Walaa H. Mahmoud, Mostafa M.H Khalil, Gehad G. Mohamed, Mostafa A. Radwan

Chemical Engineering

Novel Schiff bases were prepared as the condensation product of reaction of 2- hydroxybenzaldehyde and ambroxol drug (H2L1) and the second one from the reaction of 2-quinoline carbaldehyde with ambroxol (HL2). The synthesized Schiff basses were acted as a tridentate ligand for the preparation of new complexes through reaction with the metal ions of Cd(II) and Sn(II). The newly prepared Schiff bases and their metal complexes were characterized using some physicochemical techniques including elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV–Vis, mass spectrometry, conducti-metric measurements as well as thermal analyses (TGA/DTG),. On the basis of these studies, an octahedral geometry for both Cd(II) and …

The Influence Of The Electrode Dimension On The Detection Sensitivity Of Electric Cell–Substrate Impedance Sensing (Ecis) And Its Mathematical Modeling, Xudong Zhang, William Wang, Anis Nurashikin Nordin, Fang Li, Sunghoon Jang, Ioana Voiculescu

Publications and Research

Detection sensitivity is a crucial criterion in the design and application of ECIS sensors. The influence of sensing electrode dimension on detection sensitivity is investigated in this paper. Eight types of ECIS sensors were fabricated, and their experimental results reveal that smaller-radius working electrodes generate more sensitive impedance shift to cell density change. Also, the smaller radius of working electrodes yield higher impedance values, which improves signal-to-noise ratio. In a range from 1.0 mm to 3.5 mm, the distance between the working and counter electrodes does not affect impedance measurements. However, the distance should be large enough to prevent the …

Evaluating Thermal Comfort Of Broiler Chickens During Transportation Using Heat Index And Simulated Electronic Chickens, Kaushik Luthra

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Broilers experience high physiological stress during pre-slaughter transport, especially under extremes of thermal environment. Characterization of thermal environment on the trailer is crucial to identify stress-prone regions during transportation. At the same time, Broilers experience high physiological stress during pre-slaughter transport, especially under extremes of thermal environment. Characterization of thermal environment on the trailer is crucial to identify stress-prone regions during transportation. At the same time, quantification of heat loss of the broilers loaded on trailers is important in understanding the well-being of the broilers. We have developed four electronic chickens (E-chickens) to simulate the sensible heat loss of live …