Research Projects
Accordions
Faculty: Seth Weinberg
This project aims to develop a computational model to study how external mechanical forces control ion channels and contribute to the formation of lethal cardiac arrhythmias. The REU participant will learn the fundamentals of biophysical modeling and use MATLAB to build upon an existing cardiac action potential model to simulate myocyte contractions and electromechanical coupling.
Faculty: Tom Hund
Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) contribute to fibrotic remodeling and healing following myocardial infarction (MI). Following ischemic injury, CFs transition into an activated phenotype characterized by increased proliferation, migration and secretion of fibrotic proteins. Molecular pathways responsible for orchestrating changes in CF function are not well understood. Spectrin proteins provide structural membrane support and spatiotemporal regulation for cell signaling events. Stress-induced loss of the betaIV-spectrin isoform is an important step in CF activation. These studies will test the central hypothesis that betaIV-spectrin coordinates a tunable network for temporal and spatial control of CF function and the normal healing process following MI.
Faculty: Gunjan Agarwal
Surface charge of biomolecules play an important role in determining their interactions and functional properties. This project involves determining the surface charge of collagen fibrils in healthy and diseased aorta. This is important as the surface charge of collagen fibrils can dictate their propensity for vascular calcification in diseases such as abdominal aortic aneurysm. Studies will be conducted by using atomic force microscopy (AFM) based techniques on human tissue samples. The student will learn the fundamentals of AFM and how it can be employed to understand nanoscale features of the extracellular matrix.
Faculty: Katelyn Swindle-Reilly
This project involves design and characterization of biomimetic polymeric materials for use in ophthalmology. For instance, to develop hydrogel mimics of the native tissue, we need to examine the viscoelastic properties of the hydrogels as well as those of the native tissues, including the vitreous humor, lens and cornea. Similarly, knowledge of how cells in the cornea and lens respond to polymers used as implants will enable us to optimize the mechanical properties of the materials to promote healing without fibrosis. The REU student will learn techniques such as biofabrication, cell culture, dynamic light scattering and rheology for these analyses.
Faculty: Samir Ghadiali
Lung disease due to respiratory infections (including COVID-19) are the third leading cause of death in the US. Although infections and environmental factors often cause lung disease by disrupting surfactant function, there is no fast/efficient way to assess surfactant function in a clinical setting. This project will use computational, microfluidic and biomechanical techniques to develop and evaluate a novel bed-side surfactant analysis device.
Faculty: Ben Walter
Understanding how mechanical forces are converted into changes in tissue osmolarity as a mechanism of mechanotransduction. Projects may involve microfluidics and/or DNA origami nanoscale sensors.
Faculty: Devina Purmessur Walter
Our research lab in collaboration with the Higuita-Castro lab here in BME at OSU has developed a novel non-viral cellular reprogramming strategy to restore diseased intervertebral disc cells associated with chronic low back pain to a healthy state in vitro and in vivo. Altered cellular mechano-sensitivity is observed in a number of musculoskeletal diseases such as chronic low back pain. We hope to use in vitro and in vivo human and animal models to explore a role for cellular reprogramming in restoring healthy mechano-sensitivity back to diseased cells.
Faculty: Heather Powell
Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is a group of genetic diseases characterized by fragile skin and blister formation. Current clinical trials utilize genetically modified cultured epithelial autograft (CEAs) to treat patients with EB. CEAs are fragile and require significant time to produce basement proteins. To enhance basement membrane production and adhesion between the epidermal tissue (i.e. the CEA) and the wound bed below, we propose to utilize laser micropatterned dermal templated in conjunction with the CEA. In this project, the relationship between lasered features (density, depth and width of the laser ablated wells) and the strength of adhesion will be explored.
Faculty: Jonathan Song
Use of engineered microsystems to determine influence of intravascular shear stress and ECM conditions. May build off this paper in review: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.06.04.494804v1.abstract
Faculty: Carlos Castro
The student will engage in the development of DNA nanodevices for the rapid diagnostics of viral and bacterial diseases. This will involve learning how to fold DNA origami nanostructures and learning how to characterize these devices using methods like gel electrophoresis.
Faculty: Sara McBride-Gagyi
Our lab focuses bone development and repair. This REU experience will contribute to 2 on-going efforts. First, we are characterizing changes in bone structure and strength in the Het3 mice line during aging and determining alpha-estradiol treatment effects. At a minimum, the REU student will be responsible for completing microCT and mechanical testing data analysis for this project. Second, a critical outcome for our repair studies is functional limb recovery, which means a bone's ability to bear load. The REU student will be responsible for establishing torsional testing protocols to be used in all future repair studies.