Biology and Biomimetic Materials Commons^™

Simulating Low-Frequency Sonic Pulsations To Achieve Thrombolysis, Joseph C. Muskat, Matthew C. Pharris, Charles F. Babbs

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Cardiovascular thrombosis may result in critical ischemia to a range of anatomical regions, constituting a leading cause of death in the United States. Current invasive treatments for such arterial blockages often yield blood clot recurrence, resulting in repeated hospitalization of patients. This research aims to show how internally introduced pressure oscillations may be used to initiate thrombolysis. We present a novel computational model for determining the resonant frequency and corresponding deformation of an idealized thrombus. Sinusoidal pressure differences across the thrombus induce axial displacements of frequency dependent amplitude. The maximum peak displacement occurs at a resonant frequency of 73 Hz …

Towards An Optical In-Line Characterization Of Nano Petals, Yiming Ding, Huisung Kim, Euiwon Bae

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Carbon Nano Petals (i.e. CNPs) are cantilevered multilayer grapheme sheets that are seeded from core graphite fibers. The resulting structure offers a possibility of minimizing interfacial losses in transport application, improved interactions with surrounding matrix materials in composites, and a route toward substrate independence for device applications. The mass production of CNPs on the substrate required a method that can provide synchronous feedback on the sample status without pulling them out of the production line. Different optical properties can be observed when surfaces with different roughness are illuminated with a highly coherent light such as a laser beam. Similarly, CNPs …

Molecular Dynamics Investigation Of The Arabinan-Cellulose Interface For Cellulose Nanocomposite Applications, Luke Thornley

Materials Engineering

Atom level computer simulations of the arabinan and cellulose interface were performed to better understand the mechanisms that give arabinan-cellulose composites (ArCCs) their strength with the goal to improve man-made ArCCs. The molecular dynamics (MD) software LAMMPS was used in conjunction with the ReaxFF/c force field to model the bond between cellulose and arabinan. A cellulose nanocrystal with dimensions 51 x 32 x 8 Å was minimized with various weight percent of water, 0%, 3%, 5%, 8%, 10%, and 12%. After the system was equilibrated for at least 100,000 femtoseconds, an arabinan molecule composed of 8 arabinose rings was added …

Investigating The Cause Of Unique Mechanical Behavior In Platinum Alloy Guidewire Tips, Evan Borgeson, Alfred Rosen

Materials Engineering

The platinum alloy used by Abbott Vascular in guidewire tips exhibits a yielding behavior characterized by an abrupt transition from elastic to plastic zones and high ductility. This yielding behavior was hypothesized to be a result of one of three structural phenomena: ordering, solute strain aging, or interstitial strain aging. To test for these strengthening mechanisms in the wire, X-ray diffraction analysis, heat treatments, and tensile testing were completed. The wire has a diameter of 0.0025 inches and was supplied in two forms, the final stress relieved state, and as-drawn from the production line. Heat treatments were performed at 130 …

Methods For Growing Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells: Current Protocols And Future Recommendations, Aaron H. Fronk

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a layer of tissue found in the vertebrate eye between Bruch’s membrane and the photoreceptor layer of the neural retina [1]. It is derived from the outer layer of the optic cup [2], possesses an innate immune system [3], and consists of a monolayer of highly pigmented cells that fit together in a tight matrix (fig. 1) [4]–[6]. The monolayer is often compared to a mosaic or cobblestones in its configuration, while the shape of the individual cells is usually described as polygonal/hexagonal, columnar (aligned perpendicular to the underlying membrane), or “epithelioid”. The cells …

Designing A Clarifier To Recover Wastewater Algae Biomass For Production Of Biofuels, Elizabeth Martinez

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The Logan Lagoons, Logan City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility ensures 15 million gallons of wastewater are cleaned and filtered each day. With the implementation of new and stricter wastewater effluent standards, the city of Logan now has to guarantee the phosphorous concentration in the effluent is also reduced. Algal biomass produced and harvested from the lagoons has been proven to affect the way nitrogen and phosphorous are removed, while having the potential to be converted to biofuels. Therefore, implementing a secondary type clarifier in the Logan Lagoons would produce treated water with a reduced phosphorous concentration, and algae feedstock for biofuel …

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy-Based Biomarker Detection For B-Cell Malignancies, Nathan Israelsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

B-cells are responsible for the production of antibodies and the recognition of dangerous pathogens. When B-cells become cancerous, they no longer perform these vital functions. This reduced B-cell activity results in greater susceptibility to opportunistic infections and increasing health risks. To effectively care for different cancer subtypes, targeted diagnosis and treatment is required. To determine the specific B-cell cancer type, up to twenty different cancer biomarkers on the cell surface need to be detected at the same time. Traditional methods are not capable of detecting such a large number of biomarkers simultaneously. This paper presents the design of a system …

Biomimetic Oral Mucin From Polymer Micelle Networks, Sundar Prasanth Authimoolam

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Mucin networks are formed by the complexation of bottlebrush-like mucin glycoprotein with other small molecule glycoproteins. These glycoproteins create nanoscale strands that then arrange into a nanoporous mesh. These networks play an important role in ensuring surface hydration, lubricity and barrier protection. In order to understand the functional behavior in mucin networks, it is important to decouple their chemical and physical effects responsible for generating the fundamental property-function relationship. To achieve this goal, we propose to develop a synthetic biomimetic mucin using a layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition approach. In this work, a hierarchical 3-dimensional structures resembling natural mucin networks was generated …

Biocorrosion Rate And Mechanism Of Metallic Magnesium In Model Arterial Environments, Patrick Bowen

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

A new paradigm in biomedical engineering calls for biologically active implants that are absorbed by the body over time. One popular application for this concept is in the engineering of endovascular stents that are delivered concurrently with balloon angioplasty. These devices enable the injured vessels to remain patent during healing, but are not needed for more than a few months after the procedure. Early studies of iron- and magnesium-based stents have concluded that magnesium is a potentially suitable base material for such a device; alloys can achieve acceptable mechanical properties and do not seem to harm the artery during degradation. …

Multi-Platform Arabinoxylan Scaffolds As Potential Wound Dressing Materials, Donald C. Aduba Jr

Theses and Dissertations

Biopolymers are becoming more attractive as advanced wound dressings because of their naturally derived origin, abundance, low cost and high compatibility with the wound environment. Arabinoxylan (AX) is a class of polysaccharide polymers derived from cereal grains that are primarily used in food products and cosmetic additives. Its application as a wound dressing material has yet to be realized. In this two-pronged project, arabinoxylan ferulate (AXF) was fabricated into electrospun fibers and gel foams to be evaluated as platforms for wound dressing materials. In the first study, AXF was electrospun with varying amounts of gelatin. In the second study, AXF …

Fabrication Of 3d Ultrafine Fibrous Protein Structures Via Freeze-Drying, Yiling Huang

Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In this thesis, ultrafine fibrous 3D matrices were fabricated using three different proteins (soy protein, wool keratin, and chicken feather keratin) via freeze-drying. Protein matrices are preferable for tissue engineering compared to matrices made from synthetic material because of their similarity to native extracellular matrices. Due to their cell-binding motifs, natural proteins are also recognized as more biocompatible compared. Freeze-drying, which is a simple method used to produce 3D sponge matrices, was employed in this study to fabricate 3D fibrous matrices in a controlled manner. The inner structures of the 3D matrices fabricated ranged from film to fibers, and the …

Effect Of Plasticizer On Oxygen Permeability Of Cast Polylactic Acid (Pla) Films Determined Using Dynamic Accumulation Method, Kurniawan Yuniarto, Bruce A. Welt, Aris Purwanto, Hadi Karia Purwadaria, Ayman Abdellatief, Titi C. Sunarti, Setyo Purwanto

Journal of Applied Packaging Research

Polylactic acid (PLA) is becoming an increasingly important biopolymer for packaging applications. PLA brittleness limits its applicability. This study evaluated PLA properties with increasing amounts of added polyethylene glycol (PEG) plasticizer. Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of cast films was determined using the newly available Dynamic Accumulation (DA) method. Arrhenius temperature sensitivity of OTR and polymer Permeability was also determined. Permeability of neat PLA is 4.848 ml mm (STP)/m² s kPa; hence, 4.84 ml mm (STP)/m² s kPa, 4.07 ml mm (STP)/m² s kPa and 5.42 ml mm (STP)/m² s kPa by adding PEG 1 %, 5% …

A Collagen‐Glycosaminoglycan‐Fibrin Scaffold For Heart Valve Tissue Engineering Applications, Claire Brougham, Stefan Jockenhoevel, Thomas Flanagan, Fergal O'Brien

Conference Papers

The field of heart valve biology and tissue engineering a heart valve continue to expand. The presentatio ns at this meeting reflect the advances made in both areas due to the multi-disciplinary approach taken by many laboratories.

Optical Resonators And Fiber Tapers As Transducers For Detection Of Nanoparticles And Bio-Molecules, Huzeyfe Yilmaz

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

In recent years, detection of biological interactions on single molecule level has aspired many researchers to investigate several optical, chemical, electrical and mechanical sensing tools. Among these tools, toroidal optical resonators lead the way in detection of the smallest particle/molecule with the real time measurements. In this work, bio-sensing capabilities of toroidal optical resonators are investigated. Bio-sensing is realized via measuring the analyte-antigen interaction while the antigen is immobilized through a novel functionalization method.

Not long ago, detection of single nanoparticles using optical resonators has been accomplished however the need for cost-effective and practical transducers demands simpler tools. A tapered …

Surgical Adhesive From Mussel Mimetic Polymer, Jenna Desousa, Cori Jenkins, Jonathan Wilker

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Injuries involving damaged tissues are currently repaired through an invasive technique involving the use of screws, plates and sutures as support, which can damage these tissues. The biomedical field currently lacks an adhesive that can replace harmful implants. A surgical adhesive can provide a quick and easy alternative, which will minimize the risk of damaging healthy tissue in surgery. Inspiration for such materials can be found by looking at marine mussels as they are able to stick to nearly any surface, even in wet environments. Marine mussels affix themselves to different surfaces using adhesive plaques consisting of various proteins. Polymer …

Biological Implications Of Satellite Cells For Scaffold-Based Muscle Regenerative Engineering, Maggie R. Del Ponte, Charter Chain, Meng Deng Dr., Feng Yue Dr., Shihuan Kuang Dr.

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Satellite cells are anatomically localized along the surface of muscle fibers and have been regarded as a population of muscle-specific progenitors that are responsible for muscle regeneration. In response to muscle injuries, satellite cells are activated to enter the cell cycle, then proliferate and differentiate into mature muscle cells to regenerate damaged myofibers. Unfortunately, this natural repair mechanism is interrupted in conditions such as muscle degenerative diseases or volumetric muscle loss. The function of stem cells is regulated by signals from their local microenvironment which is called the stem cell niche. Current satellite cell-based strategies such as direct cell transplantation …

Characterization Of Swelling Ratio And Water Content Of Hydrogels For Cartilage Engineering Applications, Emily E. Gill, Renay S.-C. Su, Julie C. Liu

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Due to the high prevalence of arthritis and cartilage-related injuries, tissue engineers are studying ways to grow cartilage tissue replacements. Resilin, an elastomeric protein found in insect cuticles, is known for its extraordinary resilience and elasticity. In previous studies, recombinant resilin-based hydrogels, or cross-linked protein networks, exhibited potential for use in cartilage tissue scaffolds. Our lab successfully developed resilin-based proteins with a sequence based on the mosquito gene and showed that resilin-based hydrogels possess mechanical properties of the same order of magnitude as native articular cartilage. In addition, these mechanical properties can be controlled by changing the protein concentration. To …

Design And Fabrication Of A Novel Electrospinning System For Musculoskeletal Tissue Regeneration, Carter L. Chain, Maggie R. Del Ponte, Meng Deng, Feng Yue, Shihuan Kuang

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Disease and injury to human tissue, especially musculoskeletal tissue, is a prevalent concern to the public, affecting millions of people each year. Current treatment options involving autografts and allografts are hindered by limited availability and risk of immunogenicity, respectively. In order to overcome these limitations, a transdisiplinary regenerative engineering strategy has emerged with a focus on the development of biomimetic scaffolds that closely mimic the properties of the native tissues. For example, the structure of muscle tissue is characterized by oriented muscle fibers. However, fabrication of aligned nanofiber structures that mimic the anisotropic organization of muscle presents significant engineering challenges. …

The Role Of Metal Oxide Layers In The Sensitivity Of Lactate Biosensors Subjected To Oxygen-Limited Conditions, Elizabeth Andreasen, Lia Stanciu, Aytekin Uzunoglu

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Amperometric lactate biosensors are used to detect lactate concentration in blood and tissues, which is integral in identifying cyanide poisoning, septic shock, and athletic condition. The construction of lactate biosensors with high sensitivity, selectivity, and stability is imperative to diagnose and determine these medical conditions. Lactate detection is currently limited to oxygen-rich environments due to the fact that oxygen is a limiting factor in the lactate reaction. To circumvent this problem, researchers have developed mediators or alternate, oxygen-free enzymes to improve sensitivity. In our study, ceria (CeO₂) with high oxygen storage capacity (OSC) was introduced to the enzyme …

Developent Of A Phospholipid Encapsulation Process For Quantum Dots To Be Used In Biologic Applications, Logan Grimes

Master's Theses

The American Cancer Society predicts that 1,665,540 people will be diagnosed with cancer, and 585,720 people will die from cancer in 2014. One of the most common types of cancer in the United States is skin cancer. Melanoma alone is predicted to account for 10,000 of the cancer related deaths in 2014. As a highly mobile and aggressive form of cancer, melanoma is difficult to fight once it has metastasized through the body. Early detection in such varieties of cancer is critical in improving survival rates in afflicted patients. Present methods of detection rely on visual examination of suspicious regions …