Bioengineering Seminar Schedule
Spring 2002
Friday, Jan 11, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG623 (HMC)
12 noon - 1 pm
Professor Lipowsky
Colloquium Director (Bioe 590)
"Meet With Registered Students to Discuss Requirements for the Semester"
Friday, Jan 18, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG623 (HMC)
12 noon - 1 pm
Michael Pishko, PhD
Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering
Penn State University
"Microscale and Nanoscale Hydrogels for Chemical Sensing"
Abstract
The need for more sensitive, rapid, and reliable chemical diagnostic tests is becoming very apparent in a number of different segments in society, such as at home, at work, in hospitals and on the battlefield. Applications include home blood glucose measurements for diabetes management, testing food for the presence of pathogenic microorganisms, and sensing chemical and biological warfare agents. Many of these applications require the specific detection of many analytes in a complex chemical environment, with a limited sample size and thus require a high density of sensing elements. To address these problems, we have developed a number of hydrogel systems that can be used for chemical sensing. The first group of these gels are based on poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives containing biorecognition molecules such as enzymes, antibodies, and lectins. The materials are highly permeable to analyte and can be micropatterned on surfaces using photolithography or fabricated into micron-scale particles to form optically addressed implantable sensors. The second group of hydrogels is based on ordered thin films (20 -70 nm) that consist of either hyperbranched polyacids or layered macromolecules. Cationic biomolecules may then be incorporated into these structures via electrostatic interactions or covalent binding. The films are conformal in nature and may be used to modify micromachined devices such as those in combinatorial drug synthesis and screening. Recent results will be presented for both electrochemical and optical sensors based on these materials.
Friday, Jan 25, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG623 (HMC)
12 noon - 1 pm
Dominique M. Durand, PhD
Professor, Biomedical Engineering and Neurosciences
Case Western Reserve University
"Electrode Design for Interfacing with the Peripheral Nervous System"
Abstract
Electrical stimulation/recording has been shown to be useful to restore damaged or impaired function of the nervous system as in spinal cord injury or stroke. However, the capability of these systems is limited by our ability to make intimate contact between nerves and electronic systems. In this presentation, the fundamental principles of electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves and the current state-of-the art in electrode design will be reviewed. A novel design which takes into account the plasticity of the nerve will be presented. Finite Element simulations of the interaction between the nerve/electrode interactions, a Bio-MEMS implementation of the device as well as results of both acute and chronic experiments will be discussed.
Friday, Feb 1, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG623 (HMC)
12 noon - 1 pm
Gong Chen, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
Penn State University
"Molecular Dissection of Short-term Synaptic Plasticity"
Abstract
Synapses are elementary units of neuronal connections. Synaptic transmission relays the information flow in the neuronal network. A dynamic change of synaptic transmission efficiency is called synaptic plasticity, which is believed to underlie the basis of learning and memory. My current studies emphasize the molecular mechanism of short-term synaptic plasticity. I have developed a unique technique to study synaptic transmission at visualized single synapses. It allows us to study evoked neurotransmission at single quantum resolution, providing novel opportunities in studying synaptic plasticity and synaptic protein functions.
Friday, Feb 8, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG623 (HMC)
12 noon - 1 pm
Natacha DePaola, PhD
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, New York
"Hemodynamics and the Functional Compartmentalization of Vascular Endothelium"
Abstract
Functional Compartmentalization (adjacent regions with altered cell function) of vascular endothelium is apparent
in atherogenesis-prone regions of the human vasculature. The localization of atherosclerotic lesions coincides
with regions of disturbed blood flows where endothelial cells of altered phenotype are found adjacent to normal
endothelium in undisturbed flow where the vessel is relatively protected from lesion development. The cellular
and molecular mechanisms by which hemodynamics might alter endothelial cell function leading to lesion development
remain unclear. The direct passage of small molecules (<1 kD) through endothelial gap junctions is important
for the function and homeostasis of the vessel wall. We hypothesize that gradients in fluid shear stress associated
with disturbed flows, induce regional changes in endothelial gap junctional communication (GJIC) which in turn,
affect cell phenotype, contributing to "functional compartmentalization" of the endothelial monolayer
in vivo and in vitro. We are investigating endothelial GJIC in in vitro model systems in which all of the hemodynamic
features of atherosclerotic lesion-prone regions of the vasculature can be recreated. The fluid dynamic environment
is controlled and its effect on cell function and contribution to endothelial "functional compartmentalization"
is evaluated. Endothelial cell morphology, proliferation, migration, monolayer permeability, and regulation of
intercellular adhesion molecules are evaluated as biological features associated with altered endothelial phenotype.
These cell functions are correlated with alterations in vascular gap junction expression (gene, protein, macromolecular
assembly, and functional GJIC). To evaluate the physiological relevance of our in vitro findings, we are investigating
gap junction expression in vivo by en face immunostaining of rat aorta at vascular sites of disturbed and undisturbed
flow. Our results suggest a prominent role for hemodynamics in regulating endothelial cell communication and determining
regional differences in cell function that may contribute to the vascular pathophysiological changes found at sites
of atherosclerotic lesion development.
Supported by NIH HL64728, NSF9624991, and the Whitaker Foundation.
Friday, Feb 15, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG623 (HMC)
12 noon - 1 pm
William C. Hunter, PhD
Associate Professor of Bioengineering
Johns Hopkins University
"Ventricular Function Expresses Cooperative Molecular Mechanics within Sarcomeres"
Friday, Feb 22, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG623 (HMC)
12 noon - 1 pm
Gerard Cote, PhD
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Texas A&M University
"Overview of Noninvasive Optical Measurements with a Focus on Glucose Sensing Applications"
Abstract
The objective of this presentation is to provide an overview of some of the advances in noninvasive optically
based sensing and diagnostic techniques. Specifically discussed are the optical noninvasive methods being investigated
in the Optical Biosensing Laboratory at Texas A&M University including; infrared absorption spectroscopy, polarimetry,
Raman spectroscopy, and fluorescence. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach, with a focus on glucose
monitoring, are described. It is concluded that, although optical approaches have strong potential for noninvasive
monitoring and diagnostics, there is still much research that needs to be performed before such a device, in particular
for glucose sensing, is a reality in the clinic.
Friday, March 1, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG623 (HMC)
12 noon - 1 pm
Erwin Vogler, PhD
Associate Professor of Material Science
Penn State University
"Biomaterial Surface Science"
March 4 thru March 8th, SPRING BREAK
No Seminar
Scott Kuo, PhD
Biomedical Engineering
Johns Hopkins University
"Nano-Tracking Cell Mechanics Without Pulling or Prodding"
Friday, March 22, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG 6233 (HMC)
12 noon - 1 pm
Jeff Price, PhD
Associate Research Scientist and Lecturer
University of California, San Diego
"High Throughput Microscopy Speed and Fidelity Improve Drug Screening and Rare Cell Detection"
Friday, April 5, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG 6233 (HMC)
11:30 am - 1 pm
Student Presentations - 15 Minute Presentations
Aashiish Agnihotri
"AFM Investigation of the Spreading Kinetics of Fibrinogen on a Model Hydrophobic
Biomaterial Surface"
Sowmya Gowri-Ballakur
"Detection of Microemboli Using a Diffraction Grating Ultrasound Probe and Special
Energy Criteria"
Karen Bussard
"Interactions of Model Biomaterials and Enzymes in Contact Activation of the
Blood Plasma Coagulation Cascade"
Adam L. Cohen
"Characterizing the Active and Passive Properties of P(VDF-TrFE) Electroactive Polymers for Medical
Applications"
Friday, April 12, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG 6233 (HMC)
11:30 am - 1 pm
Student Presentations - 15 Minute Presentations
Rachel Ortiga
"Control of Capillary Filtration"
Victoria Lee
"ATPase Rate of Kinesin Motor Protein"
Jeff Garanich
"The Role of Shear Stress in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration"
Kavitha Nellor
"Arteriovenular Communication in the Presence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors"
Yangrong Zhang
"Expressing KIF3 Molecular Motor in Baculovirus System"
Friday, April 19, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG 6233 (HMC)
11:30 am - 1 pm
Student Presentations - 15 Minute Presentations
Lei Sun
"Control System for Ultrasound Hyperthermia for Prostate Diseases"
Seungjun Lee
"Ultrasound Enhanced Insulin Transdermal Delivery"
Khaldon Saleh
"Two Dimensional Ultrasound Phased Array for Thermal Treatment of Prostate Cancer"
Osama M. Al-Bataineh
"Biomedical Applications of Minature Hollow Sphere Transducers"
Friday, April 26, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG 6233 (HMC)
11:30 am - 1 pm
Student Presentations - 15 Minute Presentations
Michelle Robert
"High Frequency Ultrasound Transducer Design Using Spin-Coated P(VDF-TrFE) Copolymer Films"
Jonathan Cannata
"A 35 MHz Linear Array for Medical Ultrasonic Imaging"
Antton Hu
"Image Restoration for 3D Microscopy"
Bin Huang
"Evaluating Hydrophone by Nonlinear Effects"
Monday, April 29, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG 623 (HMC)
12:00 am - 1 pm
Christopher Hunter
University of Calgary, McCaig Centre for Joint Injury and Arthritis Research
"Mechanical Forces In Tissue Engineered Joint Repair"
Monday, May 6, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG 623 (HMC)
12:00 am - 1 pm
Stanislav Emelianov
Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Michigan
"Elasticity Imaging: from Theory to Clinical Practice"
Monday, May 13, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG 623 (HMC)
12:00 am - 1 pm
Lance Kam
Department of Chemistry, Stanford Univeristy
"Micropatterning and Biomolecular Assemblies in Biosurface Design"
Monday, June 17, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG 623 (HMC)
12:00 am - 1 pm
Elisa E. Konofagou
Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital - Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
"Imaging mechanical properties of tissues - Theory, methods and applications"
Wednesday, June 26, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG 623 (HMC)
12:00 am - 1 pm
Wo-Hsing Chen
Final Defense Seminar
"Development of a High Frequency (>30 MHz) Ultrasound Backscatter Microscope"
For additional information, contact Ms. Doretta Garvey, Dept of Bioengineering, Tel: 814.865.1407 or E-Mail: bioe@psu.edu