Biological Engineering Commons^™

Bioactivity And Cell-Mediated Targeting Of Multistage Nanoporous Silicon Particles, Jonathan O. Martinez

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Progress in drug delivery approaches have not adequately translated into clinical advances in the diagnosis or treatment of inflammatory disorders (e.g., cancer). This disconnect is rooted in the inefficient delivery of imaging and therapeutic agents to the inflamed site upon systemic delivery. A multitude of biological barriers pose insurmountable obstacles limiting the ability of the agent to effectively reach and accumulate at the target site. Nanoparticles (NP) surfaced as potential vectors to encapsulate and deliver biological agents. However, even after surface decoration, NP have failed to evade biological barriers (i.e., MPS) and to accumulate at the tumor site at therapeutic …

Optimization Of Wastewater Microalgae Pretreatment For Acetone, Butanol, And Ethanol Fermentation, Yessica A. Castro

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation from wastewater microalgae by Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4 is a novel bioprocess that utilizes waste substrate to generate valuable solvents. Butanol, the most abundant product resulting from ABE fermentation, is an environmentally safe and high performing fuel that can be utilized as a drop-in-fuel; however, high operational costs and low ABE yield present challenge in scale-up of the process. The utilization of algae as a substrate requires pretreatment prior to fermentation to increase the bioavailability of the algal fermentable sugars and to improve the conditions of the pre-fermentation medium. The purpose of this thesis was to optimize wastewater …

Sustainable Production Of Novel Biomaterials In Escherichia Coli, Asif Rahman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The biotechnology revenues in the United States exceeded $100 billion in 2010 and the potential impact of synthetic biological engineering has been identified nationally as an emerging technology to further expand the national bioeconomy. Synthetic biological engineering approaches biology from an engineering perspective to make biology easier to engineer. The potential to engineer microorganisms for novel applications can have far-reaching implications and benefits for society. Some of the potential applications range from biosensors, biofuels, therapeutics, and biomaterials.

In this study two biomaterials were produced in genetically engineered Escherichia coli: polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs) and spider silk. PHBs are bioplastics that have …

Alkaloid Production By Hairy Root Cultures, Bo Zhao

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In the present research, nicotine alkaloid production by Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) hairy roots and tropane alkaloid production by Hyoscyamus niger hairy roots were investigated. The first objective of this research was to improve the oxygen mass transfer in hairy root cultures with microbubbles. Oxygen was shown as a critical nutrient for the growth of tobacco and H. niger hairy roots. In a 1-liter fermentor, microbubble dispersion improved the oxygen mass transfer, tobacco hairy root growth, and nicotine production in the medium. In a novel ground-joint column bioreactor, microbubbles enhanced the oxygen mass transfer and the growth of H. niger hairy …

Mechanical And Physical Properties Of Spider Silk Films Made From Organic And Water-Based Dopes, Chauncey Lewis Tucker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Spider silk has become a popular material due to its exceptional mechanical and biocompatibility properties. The project team has developed methods of producing and improving the properties of synthetic spider silk films. Other groups have been able to produce similar films having less than impressive mechanical properties using a toxic solvent. The spider silk team here at Utah State University has developed a new way of processing these films to more than triple their mechanical properties and has created a novel form of spider silk films produced from a water-based liquid, making it less expensive, more environmentally friendly, and more …

Effect Of Poultry Litter Biochar On Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Growth And Ethanol Production From Steam-Exploded Poplar And Corn Stover, Oumou Diallo

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The use of ethanol produced from lignocellulosic biomass for transportation fuel offers solutions in reducing environmental emission and the use of non-renewable fuels. However, lignocellulosic ethanol production is still hampered by economic and technical obstacles. For instance, the inhibitory effect of toxic compounds produced during biomass pretreatment was reported to inhibit the fermenting microorganisms, hence there was a decrease in ethanol yield and productivity. Thus, there is a need to improve the bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol in order to promote its commercialization. The research reported here investigated the use of poultry litter biochar to improve the ethanol production …

Metabolic Modeling Of Spider Silk Production In E. Coli, Sarah Allred

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Spider silk has the potential to be a useful biomaterial due to its high tensile strength and elasticity. It is also biocompatible and biodegradable, making it useful for wound dressings and sutures, tissue and bone scaffolds, vessels for drug delivery, and ligament and tendon replacements. In some studies where spider silk has been used to grow cells, the silk has promoted more cell growth than the control. However, it is difficult to obtain the high volume of silk needed for these undertakings on a large scale. Spiders are territorial and cannibalistic, so they cannot be easily farmed. Therefore, spider silk …

Distribution Of Heavy Metals From Flue Gas In Algal Bioreactor, Katerine Napan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Algae are microscopic organisms with a great potential to produce biomass and lipids at productivities several times higher than terrestrial crops. To grow, these organisms consume carbon dioxide (CO₂), a greenhouse gas. This gas, emitted primarily by power plants after coal burning, can be effectively used for algae production, thus resulting in CO₂ remediation and biomass beneficial utilization as feedstuff, industrial filler and biodiesel feedstock. However, since coal is a fuel mined from the earth’s crust, it contains heavy metals that are released during coal burning and inevitably enter the algal cultivation system, contaminating the water were …

Excimer-Monomer Switching Molecular Beacon: The Study On Synthetic Cryptosporidium Dna Detection, Thermodynamics, And Magnesium Effects, Michael L. Davis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study is to quantify and determine the binding of a molecular DNA probe or molecular beacon used in the detection of a known waterborne pathogen Cryptosporidium parvum. The objectives of this study are to determine the stability, sensitivity, and selectivity of the molecular beacon in detecting synthesized Cryptosporidium DNA sequences. The designed probe is based on a two-fluorophore system that is different than similar molecular beacons that utilize a fluorophore and quencher detection method. A comparative study between the two probes was also performed to demonstrate enhanced selectivity of the fluorophore based molecular beacon. Magnesium …

Application Of Limited Mixing In The Hele–Shaw Geometry In Fabrication Of Janus Hydrogels, Md Mahmudur Rahman

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

It is widely accepted that cells behave differently responding to the stiffness of their extracellular matrix (ECM). Such observations were made by culturing cells on hydrogel substrates of tunable stiffness. However, it was recently proposed that cells may sense how strongly they are tethered to ECM, not the local stiffness of ECM. To investigate both hypotheses, we developed a method to fabricate Janus polyacrylamide (PAAM) gels. We squeeze two drops of different concentrations in the Hele-Shaw geometry to generate radial Stokes flow. When the drops coalesce, limited mixing occurs at the interface due to the narrow confinement, and diffusion normal …

Department Of Biological Systems Engineering Newsletter, April 2014

BSE Department Magazine

No abstract provided.

Pretreatment Of Scenedesmus Sp. Biomass As A Potential Anaerobic Digestion Substrate, Xinyi E, Czarena Crofcheck

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Algal biomass can be a potential substrate for anaerobic digestion. However, raw algae cells show a resistance to biological degradation, resulting in a slower methane production rate. Varying thermal and chemical pretreatments of algal biomass were investigated in an attempt to increase soluble organic matter (SOM) yield, which would result in enhanced methane production during subsequent anaerobic digestion. Scenedesmus sp. was harvested using three different procedures: with flocculation, with flocculation and drying, and without flocculation or drying. For all pretreatments and algae types, fluorescence micrographs were obtained to visually confirm the degradation of the algal cell walls. A complete 2 …

Developing Genetic Tools For Geobacillus, Brittany Artale

Honors Theses and Capstones

Bacillus and Geobacillus are the primary bacterium used in biotechnology industries due to their ability to excrete extracellular materials such as proteins, enzymes and other byproducts. Bacillus subtilis, has a well-characterized competence machinery, giving way to characterized genetic tools. However, a significant problem associated with working with Bacillus is the regulation of endospore formation. An alternative to Bacillus is Geobacillus, a thermophilic bacterium. Thermophiles offer significant advantages over other bacteria as host organisms in biofuel, bioremediation, and biocatalyst processes. However, the genetic tools and competency associated with Geobacillus is still unknown. Through, genetic engineering the ability …

Evaluation Of Tissue-Engineered Tendon Enthesis Polymer Constructs, Joshua A. Bundy Bs, Mary Beth Wade Phd, Hitomi Nakao Md, Phillip Mcclellan Phd, Qing Yu Phd, Robin Jacquet-Childs Ms, William J. Landis Phd

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Both scientists and clinicians have proposed tissue engineering as the future of medicine. The possibilities for tissue engineering, that is, fabrication of tissues and organs in the laboratory and their translation to patients, appear to be endless, and many believe that this new approach in medicine will result in abolishing many common ailments, injuries, and congenital defects. Injuries to a tendon enthesis, the normal tissue connection between tendon and bone, are of particular concern to clinicians because of their frequency and failure to repair as a result of surgery. While these injuries may not be life threatening, they can certainly …

Friction Coefficients For Dried Distillers Grains On Eight Structural Surfaces, G. C. Nyendu, S. Pflum, P. Schumacher, C. J. Bern, T. J. Brumm

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

Static and dynamic coefficients of friction on structural surfaces play important roles in the power requirements and material selection for equipment used in handling and storing agricultural commodities. However, friction data on dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) is limited. Further, lack of a standardized method for determining friction coefficient on grain handling materials presents a challenge. This article describes studies carried out to determine the static coefficient of friction (•_s) and dynamic coefficient of friction (•_d) for corn DDGS at 10%, 8.2%, and 6.5% moisture content (all moistures are % wet basis) on eight structural surfaces: High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), …

Temperature-Dependent Dielectric And Thermal Properties Of Whey Protein Gel And Mashed Potato, Jiajia Chen, Krishnamoorthy Pitchai, Sohan Birla, Ricardo Gonzalez, David Jones, Jeyamkondan Subbiah

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Temperature-dependent dielectric properties (dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor) and thermal properties (thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity) of whey protein gel and mashed potato were measured from -20°C to 100°C. A dielectric properties measurement system and a multipoint temperature calibration protocol were developed. The system consists of an impedance analyzer, a high-temperature coaxial cable, a high-temperature coaxial probe, a micro-climatic chamber and a metal sample holder. Calibrations at two temperatures (25°C and 85°C) were sufficient to accurately measure the dielectric properties of foods from frozen to hot temperatures. Both dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor rapidly increased from -20°C …

Conventional And Catalytic Pyrolysis Of Pinyon Juniper Biomass, Bhuvanesh Kumar Yathavan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Pinyon and juniper are invasive woody species which has occupied more than 47 million acres of land in Western United States. Pinyon juniper woodlands domination decreases the herbaceous vegetation, increase bare lands which in turn increases soil erosion and nutrition loss. Thus, The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has focused on harvesting these woody species to make room for herbaceous vegetation. The major application of harvested pinyon-juniper (PJ) is low value firewood. Thus, there is a need to develop new high value products from this woody biomass to reduce the cost of harvesting. In this study pyrolysis was carried …

Development Of A Computational Approach To Assess Hip Fracture And Repair: Considerations Of Intersubject And Surgical Alignment Variability, Azhar Ali

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hip fracture remains a major public health concern due to the significant number of occurrences and mortality rates. Intertrochanteric fractures are the most common type of fracture and are typically caused by a fall. Intramedullary osteosynthesis is a common surgical practice to repair intertrochanteric fractures, but revisions are often required. The work presented in this thesis aims to improve the realism and fidelity of computational models of hip fracture, which can be an effective alternative to costly and labor-intensive clinical in-vivo and experimental in-vitro testing. Intersubject variability is inherently present in anatomy and material relations. Statistical shape and intensity models …

Bicistronic Design For Precise And Reliable Gene Expression, Nidhi N. Menon, Jenna Rickus

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Despite having progressed extensively in the field of synthetic biology in terms of DNA synthesis, analysis and transplanting, we still cannot reliably, quantitatively measure expression of new genetic constructs. We engineered a biobrick compatible expression cassette to control transcription and translation initiation which can be reused in new genetic contexts. Previous research has shown that the Bicistronic design have much lesser variations in expression with varying genes of interest as compared to the regular monocistronic design.(Mutalik, Endy, Guimaraes, Cambray, Lam, Juul, Tran & Paull, 2013) The Bicistronic design(BCD) consists of two Shine-Dalgarno sequences in its translation element which when combined …

Determination Of Master Compliance Curve For Extruded Semolina Pasta, Laura E. Emery, Martin Okos

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

The dependence of the rate of relaxation of semolina pasta on moisture content and temperature and how it affects shrinkage during drying has not yet been determined. The purpose of this research was to develop an equation that relates moisture content and temperature in order to obtain a master curve for creep of the product. When found, this equation could help to optimize the drying process and increase the quality of the final pasta product. Semolina flour mixed with water and propionic acid to create a 35% wet basis product was extruded on a C.W. Brabender 2523 to obtain a …

Artificial Yeast Polarization Controlled By Chemical Gradient, James K. Nolan, Bernard Tao

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Engineering synthetic multicellular systems will lead to new synthetic biology technological platforms, inform developmental biology through recapitulation of natural systems and possibly unveil novel morphologies with practical applications not before reached throughout natural history (Maharbiz, 2012). Creating an exogenous molecular circuit that will polarize unicellular cells into “apical” and “basal” domains relative to a substrate plane would fulfill a missing component towards fully multicellular synthetic cellular communities (Maharbiz, 2012). To this end, a PIP₃ polarization network previously designed by Chau and associates (Chau, Walter, Gerardin, Tang, Lim 2012) was coupled to the specific activation by niacin of a recombinant …

Image Skeletal Muscle Progenitors In Situ To Investigate How The Ecm Composition Regulates Musculoskeletal Assembly, Andrew L. Schilb, Sarah Calve

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Regenerative medicine has difficulty with the human body’s inability to functionally repair tissues lost as a result of disease or serious accident. Through tissue engineering, there has been development of various scaffolding with the purpose of enhancing skeletal muscle regrowth and functionality. The scaffolds are typically constructed from artificial polymers or decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) that mimics adult tissue. These standardized scaffolds are hindered though by the host since tissue engineers have not taken into account of how the composition musculoskeletal ECM during tissue repair is dramatically different than that of a homeostatic adult. Now green fluorescent protein positive (GFP+) …

Adhesive Elastomeric Proteins, Haefa Mansour, Julie Liu

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Sutures and staples commonly used to close surgical wounds tend to be much stiffer than the surrounding tissue, often resulting in external tissue damage. Surgical adhesives provide a promising alternative to these sutures and staples. Ideal surgical adhesives are biocompatible, able to set well and remain sticky in moist conditions, possess strong adhesive and cohesive properties, and exhibit mechanical properties that mimic those of the surrounding tissue. Unfortunately, the adhesives available today are unable to satisfactorily meet all of these criteria. We are utilizing protein engineering techniques to design, create, and test a new surgical adhesive that combines the adhesive …

Department Of Biological Systems Engineering Newsletter, October 2013

BSE Department Magazine

No abstract provided.

Life Support: Long Term Storage Of Solid Waste In An Enclosed Membrane System, Emmy O. Trieu, Michael Flynn, Rocco Mancinelli

STAR Program Research Presentations

In deep space missions, maintaining life support is of the utmost priority. In such a closed system, human waste must be stored and treated. Simulated feces (ersatz) will be inoculated with microbes representing normal fecal flora, mixed with urine brine and shredded refuse of products typically used in space missions. Composting methods often use alternating layers of waste with scraps of carboniferous materials (finely shredded refuse). By preparing membrane bags with a homogenized ersatz and carboniferous refuse mixture and membrane bags with alternating layers of ersatz and carboniferous refuse, it may be possible to monitor anaerobic thermophillic digestion of the …

Hybrid Nanostructured Textile Bioelectrode For Unobtrusive Health Monitoring, Pratyush Rai

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Coronary heart disease, cardiovascular diseases and strokes are the leading causes of mortality in United States of America. Timely point-of-care health diagnostics and therapeutics for person suffering from these diseases can save thousands of lives. However, lack of accessible minimally intrusive health monitoring systems makes timely diagnosis difficult and sometimes impossible. To remedy this problem, a textile based nano-bio-sensor was developed and evaluated in this research. The sensor was made of novel array of vertically standing nanostructures that are conductive nano-fibers projecting from a conductive fabric. These sensor electrodes were tested for the quality of electrical contact that they made …

Zein: Novel Natural Polymer For Nanoparticle- And Film-Mediated Gene Delivery, Jessica D. Taylor

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Gene delivery, the introduction of DNA into cells, is applicable to gene therapy, DNA vaccination, functional genomics and diagnostics, tissue engineering, and drug-eluting medical devices. Particulates incorporating DNA are promising vehicles for gene delivery and overcome some of the barriers that hinder successful gene transfer, with the ability to protect DNA and provide for controlled, localized, and sustained release and transfection. Furthermore, innovative new gene delivery strategies that incorporate DNA particulates or complexes within films or coatings for devices and scaffolds could further provide for controlled and sustained transfection at the site of implant. Zein, a hydrophobic protein from corn, …

Hip Proprioceptors Preferentially Modulate Reflexes Of The Leg In Human Spinal Cord Injury, Tanya Onushko, Allison S. Hyngstrom, Brian D. Schmit

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Stretch-sensitive afferent feedback from hip muscles has been shown to trigger long-lasting, multijoint reflex responses in people with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). These reflexes could have important implications for control of leg movements during functional activities, such as walking. Because the control of leg movement relies on reflex regulation at all joints of the limb, we sought to determine whether stretch of hip muscles modulates reflex activity at the knee and ankle and, conversely, whether knee and ankle stretch afferents affect hip-triggered reflexes. A custom-built servomotor apparatus was used to stretch the hip muscles in nine chronic SCI subjects …

Stent Graft Blush, Vanessa Barrett, Thomas Matzinger, Mike Morelli

Mechanical Engineering

In order to better understand Type IV endoleaks (“blush”), the Cal Poly Senior Project team GraftTest has developed a blush evaluation system able to mimic several of the aorta’s environmental parameters. Capable of both pressure and flow rate control, this bench top system accommodates Medtronic’s wide range of abdominal and thoracic aortic stent grafts. Having researched endoleaks, stent grafts, and numerous other factors affecting stent graft blush, a system was developed with the aim of assessing and comparing the performance of Medtronic’s stent grafts with regard to blush. Furthermore, this system has been designed to provide reliable and repeatable results …

Beach Wheelchair Project, Rory Aronson, Joshua Marcum, Samuel Coyne, Alex Hayes, Alexa Colburn, Max Hessel, Benedikt Strauss, Marvin Rimmele, Marco Pietsch

Mechanical Engineering

The Beach Wheelchair, Sandcrawler, is a machine intended to help give people with disabilities the full beach experience. The non-profit organization Bridge II Sports sponsored this project, and tasked us with developing the design and fabricating a prototype. This chair has several features including a linkage mechanism that raises and lowers a chair relative to an external frame, hand crank drive with Gates Carbondrive belt and sprockets, buoyant Wheeleez balloon tires, and much more.