Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Comprehensive Long- And Short- Read Sequencing Approaches To Screen The Mutational Landscape After Therapeutic Crispr-Editing For Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Mary Jia, Made Harumi Padmaswari, Landon Burcham, Shilpi Agrawal, Alexis Ivy, Abbey Bryan, Christopher E. Nelson

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked muscle wasting disease caused by mutations in the Dmd gene resulting in non-functional dystrophin. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated delivery of classical CRISPR systems resulting in double-stranded breaks (DSBs) has yielded promise as a curative DMD therapeutic. However, the consequences of AAV-CRISPR require more thorough characterization. PCR-enriched short-read amplicon sequencing at cut sites is the most common method of sequencing CRISPR editing, but PCR bias results in unreliable quantification of on-target edits. We analyze orthogonal long- and short-read sequencing approaches to screen the outcomes of CRISPR technologies at the DNA and RNA-level for DMD. We …

A Wheelchair-Bed Transfer Device For Patients With Limited Mobility, Malachie Nichols

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

As the population ages, eldercare becomes more important than ever, yet many caregivers lack the resources they need to safely do their jobs. For those who take care of a disabled loved-one at home or work as home health aides, basic tasks can be frustrating and even dangerous. The high physical demands of moving and lifting patients make injuries common among home health care workers. Musculoskeletal injuries to the back, shoulders, wrists, and hands are especially common. The use of transfer devices such as Hoyer lifts, slide boards, and gait belts help to make moving patients easier and safer, but …

Automated Segmentation Of Autofluorescence Lifetime Images Using A Convolutional Neural Network, Nicole Hooten

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Chronic wounds affect nearly 1 out of every 50 people in the United States, decreasing quality of life and putting people with potential comorbidities at high risk for obtaining an infection. Wound healing progress in clinical settings is measured by tracking wound size and there are currently no non-invasive, quantitative measurement techniques. Previous studies have proposed nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) autofluorescence lifetime (FLIM) imaging of the wound edge as a method to quantify the wound healing process by connecting the role of NADH in cellular metabolism to wound healing stage. However, evaluation of FLIM images is heavily subjective, as a …

Comparing Firocoxib And Meloxicam In The Application Of Microneedle Patch For Transdermal Drug Delivery, Ruohan Li

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis compares the performance of meloxicam and firocoxib in the aspects of its physical characteristic, chemical compositions, and in-vitro performances for transdermal pain management microneedle patches on farm animals. The microneedle patches are composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), type I collagen (COL), and chitosan (CHI) as base material that carries NSAIDs to achieve therapeutic purposes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to observe the morphological and physical characteristics of the microneedle patches. Both meloxicam and firocoxib microneedle patches were successfully prepared using the methodology, with organized microneedle distribution and sizing. And Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the chemical …

Characterizing And Quantifying Shear-Induced Hemolysis In A Hollow Fiber Membrane System, Siddhi Bhat

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Clinical studies have shown that patients undergoing renal replacement therapy are more susceptible to developing hemolysis, or the rupturing of red blood cells. Rapid hemolysis can cause symptoms such as anorexia, vomiting, and even death in severe cases. The aim of this study is to identify how shear stress within a hollow fiber membrane impacts the level of hemolysis that occurs. This allows for the optimization of the ultrafiltration membranes that are typically used for hemofiltration treatments. The variables being studied are the radii of hollow fibers, number of fibers, and volumetric flow rate of blood being circulated. Here, we …

Tumor Targeting Gold Nanoparticles For Delivery Of Rna And Dna Oligonucleotide Therapies For Glioblastoma., Nicholas Allen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumors are highly aggressive gliomas due to genetic and cellular heterogeneity. Current GBM treatment consists of surgical resection of the tumor combined with radio- or chemo-therapies. While these treatments have increased the life expectancy for GBM patients up to 20 months, they have had little effect on the 5-year survival rate. The complex cellular and genetic composition of the tumor makes current treatments less effective long term. One approach to developing more effective GBM treatments is to customize nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems that can directly target the aberrant gene expression patterns within a particular GBM tumor. Delivery …

Xeno-Free Biomimetic Ecm Model For Investigation Of Matrix Properties On Astrocyte Cell Response, Bayan Saleh

Theses and Dissertations

Astrocytes are crucial in preserving the structural and functional integrity of the central nervous system (CNS). They participate in several physiological processes, such as the uptake of neurotransmitters, control of extracellular ion concentration, and preservation of the blood-brain barrier. Recent research has raised the possibility that astrocytes are also involved in the onset and development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). While the precise mechanisms underlying the development and progression of AD are not fully understood, recent research has suggested that age-related changes in the brain extracellular matrix (ECM) properties may play a critical role in the progression of the disease. Investigating …

The Influence Of Myoblast Implantation On Arteriogenesis In Mice With Diet-Induced Obesity, Rayana Gutierrez

Biomedical Engineering

Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) is characterized by atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque, consisting largely of cholesterol, in the arterial walls. This plaque accumulation eventually blocks blood flow to the limbs, causing symptoms such as intermittent claudication and tissue death in cases of critical limb ischemia. The body compensates for the reduced perfusion by enlarging pre-existing bypass arteries, known as collaterals, in a process called arteriogenesis. However, in many cases, collateral networks constructed through arteriogenesis fail to enlarge sufficiently or function effectively in patients. Therefore, the development of a therapeutic intervention specifically targeting this process would offer a …

Mitral Valve Imaging And Biomechanics: A Workflow Towards Computational Modeling And Validation, Sam Stephens

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The mitral valve serves a critical role in healthy cardiac function by ensuring the unidirectional flow of oxygenated blood from the left atrium into the left ventricle. It experiences the highest pressures found within the heart and its closure is the result of a complex interaction of several different structures that, furthermore, are unique to each individual. Despite the valve’s vital role however, the specific function of these constituent structures is not fully understood. This, confounded by its asymmetric, personalized nature, make surgical interventions for the mitral valve far less effective than for its neighboring aortic valve. Efforts to overcome …

The Influence Of Pesticides On Us Corn Production Environmental Impact: A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment Of Dominant Production Practices, Kyle Marinoni Lawrence

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In recent years there has been increasing interest in reducing agricultural environmental footprints in the United States, particularly for commodity crops like corn grain. Pest management is one aspect of agricultural production that is often identified as having potential for improvement with regard to environmental impact, but there is not a robust body of literature to identify the wide-scale influence of pesticides on yield and environmental impact. In this study, we hypothesized that the use of different classifications of pesticides has a significant impact on the overall environmental impact. To test this, agricultural models were created to represent the dominant …

The Study Of Corrosion On Additive-Manufactured Metals., Braydan Daniels

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the corrosion mechanisms between wrought and additive-manufactured (3D-printed) copper and stainless steel. The experimental procedure consisted of measuring the open circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, linear sweep voltammetry, Tafel analysis, surface topology, and scanning electron microscopy for each metal within salt water, tap water, sulfuric acid, and synthetic body fluid (excluding copper in synthetic body fluid).

Overall, printed stainless steel was more corrosion-resistant than wrought stainless steel in tap water and synthetic body fluid based on OCP, LSV, and surface topology results. Additionally, printed copper was more corrosion-resistant than wrought …

Biodegradable Magnesium Materials Regulate Ros-Rns Balance In Pro-Inflammatory Macrophage Environment, Maria Paula Kwesiga, Amani A. Gillette, Seyedehfatemeh Razaviamri, Margaret E. Plank, Alexia L. Canull, Zachary Alesch, Weilue He, Bruce Lee, Roger J. Guillory Ii

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The relationship between reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS-RNS) secretion and the concomitant biocorrosion of degradable magnesium (Mg) materials is poorly understood. We found that Mg foils implanted short term in vivo (24 h) displayed large amounts of proinflammatory F4/80+/iNOS + macrophages at the interface. We sought to investigate the interplay between biodegrading Mg materials (98.6% Mg, AZ31 & AZ61) and macrophages (RAW 264.7) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (RAW 264.7LPS) to induce ROS-RNS secretion. To test how these proinflammatory ROS-RNS secreting cells interact with Mg corrosion in vitro, Mg and AZ61 discs were suspended approximately 2 mm above a monolayer of …

Interrogating Autism From A Multidimensional Perspective: An Integrative Framework., Mohamed T. Ali

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition characterized by social and behavioral impairments, affecting approximately 1 in every 44 children in the United States. Common symptoms include difficulties in communication, interpersonal interactions, and behavior. While symptoms can manifest as early as infancy, obtaining an accurate diagnosis may require multiple visits to a pediatric specialist due to the subjective nature of the assessment, which may yield varying scores from different specialists. Despite growing evidence of the role of differences in brain development and/or environmental and/or genetic factors in autism development, the exact pathology of this disorder has yet to be fully …

Characterizing Endothelial Damage During Ischemic Stroke Treatment With 3d Cerebrovascular Live Cellular And Finite Element Models, Ana Regina Martinez Dehesa

Theses and Dissertations

Stent retriever mechanical thrombectomy (SRMT) is part of the clinical standard-of-care for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO). Endothelial injury (EI) is widely associated with SRMT. Studies report finding EI markers in over 50% of retrieved clots, suggesting the frequency of EI in MT patients is rather common. The mechanism of EI and its contribution to MT failure and clinical outcomes remain poorly understood because of a lack of techniques to observe EI and study it in vitro. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms of EI induced by SRMT, as well as the effect stent …

Rattus Norvegicus As A Biological Detector Of Clandestine Remains And The Use Of Ultrasonic Vocalizations As A Locating Mechanism, Gabrielle M. Johnston

Master's Theses

In investigations, locating missing persons and clandestine remains are imperative. One way that first responder and police agencies can search for the remains is by using cadaver dogs as biological detectors. Cadaver dogs are typically used due to their olfactory sensitivity and ability to detect low concentrations of volatile organic compounds produced by biological remains. Cadaver dogs are typically chosen for their stamina, agility, and olfactory sensitivity. However, what is not taken into account often is the size of the animal and the expense of maintaining and training the animal. Cadaver dogs are typically large breeds that cannot fit in …

Scan2drawing: Use Of Deep Learning For As-Built Model Landscape Architecture, Sisi Han, Yuhan Jiang, Yilei Huang, Mingzhu Wang, Yong Bai, Andrea Spool-White

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

This paper presents an innovative and fully automatic solution of generating as-built computer-aided design (CAD) drawings for landscape architecture (LA) with three dimensional (3D) reality data scanned via drone, camera, and LiDAR. To start with the full pipeline, 2D feature images of ortho-image and elevation-map are converted from the reality data. A deep learning-based light convolutional encoder–decoder was developed, and compared with U-Net (a binary segmentation model), for image pixelwise segmentation to realize automatic site surface classification, object detection, and ground control point identification. Then, the proposed elevation clustering and segmentation algorithms can automatically extract contours for each instance from …

Laser Inscribed Graphene Aptasensor For Detection Of Apple Stem Pitting Virus, Yifan Tang

All Theses

Apple stem pitting virus (ASPV) is a latent RNA virus that could cause significant loss to apple production; early-stage field diagnosis could reduce the economic loss caused by ASPV infection. Biosensor is a promising user-friendly detection tool that could transduce biological or chemical interactions into electric signals. Among various types of biosensors, aptasensor, which use aptamers as recognition elements show potential as a high throughput, in-field test. The goal of this thesis is to develop an electrochemical aptasensor testing system for ASPV detection. The quality control study of laser inscribed graphene (LIG) based working electrode of the biosensor was conducted …

Dpd Guided Insight On The Formation Process Of Polyethersulfone Membranes By Nonsolvent Induced Phase Separation And The Effects Of Additives, Eric Ledieu

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD), a coarse grain simulation method, was applied to the membrane formation process of non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) to gain further insight on the mechanism of certain variables and how they affect the final morphology. NIPS involves two solutions, an organic polymer dissolved in an organic solvent colloquially called the dope and an aqueous coagulation bath, brought into contact with one another. The solvents then mix, causing the polymer to fall out of solution as an asymmetric membrane with a dense surface layer and a more open subsurface layer in response to the decreasing solubility. Polyethersulfone …

Effect Of Human Decellularized Skeletal Muscle On Recovery From Volumetric Muscle Loss Injury, Jacob Schluns

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Volumetric muscle loss (VML) overwhelms muscle’s robust capacity for regeneration. A key event in the etiology of VML injury is the bulk loss of structural cues provided by the underlying extracellular matrix (ECM). While muscle is a highly structured tissue, with cell and ECM alignment in the direction of contractile force production, the impact of scaffold alignment on recovery remains unclear. Bulk human decellularized skeletal muscle (DSM) tissues were sectioned into 10 x 1-2 mm fibers. VML defects were repaired using multi-fiber implants consisting of approximately 8 fibers per defect arranged into two layers. Fibers were oriented 1) to the …

Development Of A Pediatric Heart Assist Device Monitoring System, Natalie Hill

Theses and Dissertations

Heart failure (HF) is one of the leading causes of deaths for adults worldwide, but has disproportionately significant effects on pediatric patients that are often overshadowed. Treatment options for pediatric patients with HF are extremely limited, resulting in increased mortality rates within hospitals. Patients often depend on ventricular assist device (VAD) support as a bridge to transplant. The Berlin Heart EXCOR is the only FDA approved device for pediatric use in the US. However, many hemodynamic and neurological complications continue to arise; for instance, up to 30% of EXCOR patients suffer from stroke. Currently, there is no effective way to …