Bioengineering Seminar Schedule
Spring Semester, 2002 (For prior semesters, click here: Fall
1999, Spring 2000 , Fall 2000 , Spring
2001, Fall 2001
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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
Friday, March 15, Room 210 Hallowell Building (Univ Park) & CG 6233 (HMC)
12 noon - 1 pm
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