Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Analysis Of Differentially Expressed Genes (Deg) And Upstream Regulator Proteins Indicates That Inhibition Of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (Tgfb1) Is A Potential Target For Acne Inversa, Weri Veranita, Siva Fauziah, Siti Nurbaya

Indonesian Journal of Medical Chemistry and Bioinformatics

Acne inversa (AI) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by painful nodules, abscesses, and scarring, primarily in intertriginous areas. This study aims to identify potential therapeutic targets for managing acne inversa based on the analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEG). The expression targets of these genes were then validated for their potential as biomarkers, and upstream regulator proteins (URPs) were identified from the resulting DEG. DEG analysis on the GEO dataset GSE122592 (acne inversa vs. healthy donor skin) revealed five DEG that can serve as biomarkers for acne inversa, with a sensitivity and specificity of (100%). These DEG—IL10, GZMB, …

Optimizing A Perfusion-Compression Bioreactor Via Python Integration, Umamah Amer

Honors Theses

Bioreactors are widely used in tissue engineering to support cell and tissue growth under controlled conditions. Perfusion-compression bioreactors, like the one developed in our lab, can be used to replicate the physiological loading of bone on 3D-printed scaffolds. When seeded with osteogenic cells and subjected to mechanical loading, these scaffolds serve as a model to study osteogenesis. To simulate physiological conditions, the bioreactor must apply 1000 compression cycles at forces up to 200 N, three times daily over 14 days. Upon implementation, validation testing and experimental studies exposed several limitations in the bioreactor’s control code. The system was initially programmed …

Evervital Patch: The Design And Development Of A Continuous Cardiac Monitoring Device For Post-Operative, In-Hospital Patients, Abigail Moeller, Jonathan Seid

Honors Theses

In the United States, due to the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disease, over 900,000 cardiac surgeries are performed annually, with projections exceeding 1.3 million by 2029. Many post-surgical patients require continuous in-hospital cardiac monitoring, which is typically conducted using electrocardiograms (EKGs). However, traditional EKG systems such as bedside cardiac monitors and cardiac telemetry monitors rely on wired leads that can easily tangle, degrade signal quality, and require frequent readjustments or replacements due to wire breakage, and for the patient, this can cause discomfort from prolonged use. To overcome these challenges, our company, CardioSync, aims to develop a wireless cardiac monitoring …

Using Eeg Signal For Smart Health: An Overview, Addison Clark, Chelsea Bonyata, Ishfaq Ahmad, Hansheng Lei, Khalid Saifullah, Victor Ibarra

Informatics and Engineering Systems Faculty Publications

This survey paper aims to provide an overview of the current state of EEG (Electroencephalography) signal technology as it relates to people with disabilities. It will highlight the various methods and techniques employed, discussing their advantages and disadvantages. The paper will also examine the applications of EEG technology in assisting individuals with disabilities, specifically focusing on Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) and assistive device control. By understanding the current state of EEG signal technology, we can identify the opportunities and challenges involved in utilizing this technology to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

Imine Crosslinked, Injectable, And Self-Healing Fucoidan Hydrogel With Immunomodulatory Properties, Asma Talib Qureshi, Shajia Afrin, Saad Asim, Muhammad Rizwan

Michigan Tech Publications

Biomaterials with inherent anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to foster a pro-regenerative environment hold significant promise for enhancing cell transplantation and tissue regeneration. Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide with well-documented immune-regulatory and antioxidant capabilities, offers strong potential for creating such biomaterials. Yet, there is a lack of engineered fucoidan hydrogels that are injectable and provide tunable physicochemical properties. In this study, the ability of fucoidan to undergo periodate-mediated oxidation is leveraged to introduce aldehydes into backbone (oxidized fucoidan, OFu), enabling the formation of reversible, imine-crosslinks with amine-containing molecules such as gelatin. The imine-crosslinked OFu-gelatin hydrogel provided excellent control over gelation rate …

Modular Molecular Design Of Polymerized Pro-Estrogen Materials Enables Controlled Astrocyte Response, Devan L. Puhl, Alexis Ziemba, Samuel A.T. Ellman, Alex Hsu, Jayant Saksena, Penelope Phillips Falcone, Bailey Balouch, Deniz Rende, Tanner Fink, R. Helen Zha, Ryan J. Gilbert, Edmund F. Palermo

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The hormone 17β-estradiol (estrogen or "E2") has demonstrated robust neuroprotective properties in countering oxidative stress-induced neurotoxicity, as well as strong neurotrophic properties to promote axonal growth, following injury to the central nervous system (CNS). However, oral or injected E2 is a suboptimal drug, as systemic administration fails to achieve a therapeutic dose at the injury site, in addition to being contraindicated in most male patients. Polymerized pro-drug biomaterials can mitigate these issues by locally releasing small quantities of drug over vastly extended timescales. We sought to study the effect of the biomaterial properties of poly(pro-E2) on astrocyte-surface interactions because astrocytes …

Sustained Release Of Antifibrotic Nintedanib From Polymer Microparticles Reduces Dosing Frequency While Reducing Inflammation In Murine Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Emmanuel Einyat Opolot, Filip Goshevski, Rahul Chaudhary, Horst A. Von Recum, Amar B. Desai

Faculty Scholarship

Purpose: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a life-threatening, progressive lung disease with limited therapeutic options, often resulting in poor patient outcomes. Current treatments, such as Nintedanib (NTB) and Pirfenidone (PFD), require frequent administration, leading to adverse effects and low patient adherence. The purpose of this study was to investigate a sustained-release drug delivery system utilizing microparticles (MPs) composed of insoluble beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) polymers to enhance the bioavailability and extend the release of NTB and PFD. Methods: A multidisciplinary approach, including in silico modeling, in vitro assays, and in vivo studies, was employed to assess the efficacy of β-CD-polymer MPs as …

Evaluating The Effects Of Oxidative Stress On Primary Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells, Sophia Hessami

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss worldwide, affecting 200 million adults over the age of 40

• Affects subretinal layers: retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), Bruch’s membrane, and choroid (Fig. 1)

Problem: Early mechanisms of AMD are not well understood; oxidative stress is often cited as a key contributing factor to the development of AMD.3 Current studies neglect to use primary RPE cells when investigating oxidative stress.

Oxidative Stress occurs when there is an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cellular antioxidant defenses

• Overabundance of ROS results in damage to tissue and …

Effects Of Uv Radiation On Algae Biofilms Of Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactors, Rebecca Sweeten

Student Research Symposium

Goal: Discover effects of UV-A and UV-B radiation on the biofilm production of algae using a Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactor (RABR)

Method: Expose 3 RABRs in triplicate to UV-A, UV-B, and PAR to identify differences in biomass, nutrient uptake and pH levels.

Results: RABR’s under UV-B light have the highest productivity

Average Biomechanical Responses Of The Human Brain Grouped By Age And Sex, Ahmed A. Alshareef, Aaron Carass, Yaun-Chiao Lu, Joy Mojumder, Alexa M. Diano, Olivia M. Bailey, Ruth J. Okamoto, Dzung L. Pham, Jerry L. Prince, Philip V. Bayly, Curtis L. Johnson

Faculty Publications

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur from rapid head motion that results in brain deformation. Computational models are typically used to estimate brain deformation to predict risk of injury and evaluate the effectiveness of safety countermeasures. The accuracy of these models relies on validation to experimental brain deformation data. In this study, we create the first group-average biomechanical responses of the brain, including structure, material properties, and deformation response, by age and sex from 157 subjects. Subjects were sorted intro three age groups—young, mid-age, and older—and by sex to create group-average neuroanatomy, material properties, and brain deformation response to non-injurious loading …

Induction Of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy In A Three-Dimensional Myocardial Model, Maelyn Andreasen

Student Research Symposium

Diabetic cardiomyopathy: Impairs and damages heart tissue through chronic exposure to hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, in diabetic individuals

The Effects Of The Action Rate And Binding Density On Sensitivity In Lateral Flow, Mona Soroush

Student Research Symposium

Lateral Flow Assays (LFAs) offer rapid diagnostics, yet sensitivity remains a critical limitation. This study used a mathematical framework—the Convection-Diffusion-Reaction (CDR) equation—to optimize sensitivity by adjusting parameters such as flow velocity (U), association and dissociation rates (k_on and k_off), and nanoparticle valency. Our simulation results closely matched literature data (Berli & Kler, 2016), demonstrating significant enhancements in sensitivity with optimized parameters.

Development Of Bone Cutter, Jocelynn Burton, Austin Taylor, Will Pendleton, Erica Shulsen, Jessica Tobler

Student Research Symposium

Osteoarthritis affects 3.4% of the general population and is associated with age, obesity, genetics, and female sex. Different techniques exist to treat osteoarthritis, such as autographing, total joint replacement, and joint fusion.

Effects Of Inhibitor Diffusion And Threshold Limits On Edge Detection With Reaction-Diffusion Equations, Zachary Hastings

Student Research Symposium

The purpose of this project is to model edge detection using the Nomura et al's¹ reaction-diffusion equation. Edge detection is an important visual processing tool for human sight, allowing for object detection and visual enhancement. This project explored the effects of inhibitor diffusion, D_i, and threshold limits, a, on edge detection in this model. This project also discovered the limit of Nomura et al's¹ model on the simultaneous detection of multiple edges in a step-wise intensity gradient and attempted to overcome that limitation.

Preparing A Bioreactor For Avian Cell Culture, Joshua Bell, Taylor Davis, Payton Larsen, Abbie Smith, Joshua Thompson

Student Research Symposium

This project, in collaboration with Upside Foods and Thermo Fisher, focuses on optimizing a 50L bioreactor for avian cell growth. Thermo Fisher has assembled the bioreactor while Upside Foods has provided design specifications and avian specific growth media.

Bioremediation Of Toxic Water Using Algal Biofilms, Aaron Burt, Tyanna Doran, Darren Fillmore, Isaac Trejo

Student Research Symposium

Rotary Algae Biofilm Reactors (RABRs):

• Emerging technology in wastewater treatment.
• Rotating cylinder in wastewater enables algae to form a biofilm
• Yields more biomass than traditional planktonic algal growth

Utilizing Enzymatic Microalgae Hydrolysates For Cellular Agriculture, Maelyn Andreasen, Sophia Hessami, Eli Sheley, Elise Barton

Student Research Symposium

UPSIDE Foods is working to produce chicken products to address the growing global food insecurity crisis.¹ Industrial scalability is limited due to the requirements of cell culture. Through collaboration with the company, we are working to supplement their existing media to drive costs down and improve cell viability.

Mathematical Modeling Of Color Perception Using Differential Equation, Siavash Pooretemad

Student Research Symposium

Color perception begins in the retina, where three cone types (L, M, S) detect light and initiate neural signals. These signals are processed by horizontal and bipolar cells to form opponent color channels: red-green (RG), yellow-blue (YB), and light-dark (LD). Perception is not solely based on physical input but also shaped by neural adaptation and context.

This project models color perception using a differential equation approach, simulating how color contrast and adaptation emerge from interactions between photoreceptors and lateral inhibition.

We hypothesize that a system of differential equations can model how retinal cone cells respond to and process light intensity, …

Laparoscopic Articulating Arm: In Collaboration With The Xenocor Saberscope, Zac Hastings, Lizbeth Pugliese, Rebecca Sweeten, Dallin Thomas, Dallin Treasure-Areno

Student Research Symposium

• Laparoscopy a minimally invasive procedure performed through small incisions using a laparoscope, a camera-equipped instrument, along with specialized tools.

• Laparotomy or "open" surgery, requires a large incision to perform an abdominal operation.

Metabolite Analysis To Understand Factors Limiting Microbial Fermentation At High Substrate Concentrations, Bishal D. Sharma

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Clostridium thermocellum, a thermophilic anaerobic bacterium, holds promise as a biocatalyst for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into biofuels. This microbe has been subjected to various metabolic engineering strategies, including the deletion of genes encoding secondary fermentation products such as H₂, formate, acetate, and lactate, as well as the expression of heterologous genes to redirect carbon flux toward ethanol production. Despite these efforts, achieving economically viable ethanol titers remains a challenge. We hypothesized that studying how intracellular metabolite concentrations change as fermentation stops could reveal metabolic bottlenecks or regulatory mechanisms limiting ethanol production at high titers. However, metabolomics studies at …