April 2025 - Bmegradstudents-list

[Bmeroundtable-list] Donations Needed: LUM Winter Warm Up Sack Lunches - BME PMP Community Service Project
by Siemers, Tammy R 09 Feb '26

09 Feb '26

Good Morning, The BME PMP students will be putting together sack lunches on March 25th in MJIS for the LUM Winter Warming Station as their community service event for this spring. We are reaching out to see if anyone would be willing to donate any items that are needed. We will be providing 80 sack lunches for those in the area that are in need. Donate an Item: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BA8AF2EA5F9C43-55490163-supplies#/<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.signu…> * Sandwich that doesn't need refrigeration (prepared, individually wrapped) - Peanut butter & jelly, ham & cheese, turkey & cheese, peanut butter & honey -OR- Other ideas: Ready-to-eat TUNA packs -OR- Vienna sausages (small can) * Salty snack - chips, pretzels, cracker packs with cheese or peanut butter * Sweet snack - Dessert snacks, Twinkie, rice treat, cookies * "Later" Snack - Chewy Granola bar, Cereal bars, Soft snack bars (avoid nuts and crunchy granola bars) * Fruit/veggie - apple, orange, mandarin orange, fruit cup (with plastic spoon), carrots, apple-sauce cup or squeeze pouch * Drink - Bottled water - OR- Pouch/box drink (Capri Sun) * Utensils - Napkin, Plastic fork and spoon, if needed Items Due: - bring items to MJIS 1021E by March 21st (if donating fresh fruit, please bring it closer to March 25th) More information about the LUM Winter Warming Station is described here: https://www.lumserve.org/programs/homeless-services/winter-warming-station/<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lumse…> Thanks for helping our PMP students help the community. Tammy -- Bmeroundtable-list mailing list Bmeroundtable-list(a)ecn.purdue.edu https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECN/mailman/listinfo/bmeroundtable-list

2 1

[Bmeroundtable-list] Purdue Day of Giving -- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering
by Kevin John Otto 30 Apr '25

30 Apr '25

Today is Purdue Day of Giving! Please consider making a gift to the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. AY 24-25 was a momentous year as we celebrated the 50th anniversary<https://engineering.purdue.edu/BME/AboutUs/News/2024/50year-history-of-biom…> and the launch of Purdue in Indianapolis<https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/2024/Q2/circle-city-celebrates-inauguration….>! * We’re looking to build on this momentum and make 25-26 our best yet! Your help will help us reach this goal. This year’s raised funds can be directed into one of the following categories: * Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Senior Class Scholarship * George R. Wodicka Biomedical Innovation Fund * Purdue Engineering in Medicine * Weldon School 50th Anniversary * Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Scholarships Click here to donate<https://dayofgiving.purdue.edu/donate> -- every gift, large or small, supports the Weldon mission. Please view this video<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%…> to reflect on our rich 50-year history. * Working together, we’ll continue to figure out how to catch mice without building a better mousetrap 😉 -- Kevin Otto, Ph.D. Dane A. Miller Head and Professor Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering [Purdue University, 150 years of Purdue Engineering] **My email may come at odd hours. My work hours may not be your work hours. Do not feel obliged to reply outside of your normal working day** -- Bmeroundtable-list mailing list Bmeroundtable-list(a)ecn.purdue.edu https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECN/mailman/listinfo/bmeroundtable-list

1 0

[Bmeroundtable-list] Reminder: Seminar Speaker April 30: Edgar Pena, PhD
by Rhonda Wolf Jones 30 Apr '25

30 Apr '25

Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Distinguished Seminar Series Wednesday, April 30, 2025 9:30-10:20 am, MJIS 1001 *Note: Students enrolled in the seminar course are expected to attend in person. Zoom Link: https://purdue.edu.zoom.us/j/92544114610<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpurdue.ed…> “Advancing Neural Control Through Precision Neuromodulation: From Kilohertz-Frequency Nerve Block to Models of Vagus Nerve Recordings” [cid:image003.jpg@01DBB434.CD501C00] Edgar Peña, PhD Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota Abstract: Precise control over neural activity is essential for developing effective bioelectronic therapies for a variety of disorders and advancing neural interfaces. However, challenges in targeted neuromodulation and understanding physiological feedback mechanisms limit clinical translation. In this talk, I will discuss our recent work that addresses these challenges: (1) the development of kilohertz-frequency electrical nerve block without onset excitation to overcome a significant barrier to clinical implementation; (2) computational modeling and validation of compound nerve action potentials (CNAPs) from the vagus nerve to facilitate closed-loop neuromodulation; and 3) preliminary data demonstrating differential physiological responses to vagus nerve stimulation, highlighting individual variability in autonomic responses. Our findings show that by carefully tuning stimulation parameters—specifically using sufficiently high frequencies (≥20.8 kHz) with appropriately ramped signals (≥512 s)—we can achieve complete nerve block without undesired excitation, a previously unattained goal. Furthermore, our biophysically-based computational models of vagus nerve recordings, validated against in vivo experiments, offer critical insights into factors influencing signal features and methods for extracting physiologically relevant information from peripheral nerves. Together, these advancements lay the groundwork for precision neuromodulation technologies that can restore organ function after injury and provide new therapeutic approaches for conditions ranging from hypertension to inflammatory diseases through sophisticated closed-loop bioelectronic systems. Bio: Dr. Edgar Peña is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota, where he leads research on computational modeling to enable personalized neuromodulation therapies for techniques such as vagus nerve stimulation, which have broad applications to conditions such as heart failure, epilepsy, and inflammatory diseases. Dr. Peña previously completed postdoctoral training at Duke University, where he advanced methods for high-frequency nerve block, and earned his PhD from the University of Minnesota with a focus on spatially targeted deep brain stimulation. He is a recipient of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. ~ BME Faculty Host: Matthew Ward, PhD ~ -- Bmeroundtable-list mailing list Bmeroundtable-list(a)ecn.purdue.edu https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECN/mailman/listinfo/bmeroundtable-list

1 2

[Bmeroundtable-list] BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Nissa J. Larson (D. Umulis, advisor)
by May, Sandra M 28 Apr '25

28 Apr '25

BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Nissa J. Larson (D. Umulis, advisor) Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 3:00 PM. Title: Signal processing and robustness of the BMP network during zebrafish embryogenesis and dorsoventral patterning Date: May 8th Time: 3:00 PM Location: MJIS 1001 Committee Members: Drs. David M. Umulis (Major Professor), Elsje Pienaar, Qing Deng, & Adrian Buganza Tepole Abstract: In developing tissues, signal transduction from morphogen gradients conveys positional information to cells, resulting in cell differentiation. One such morphogen is bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), of the TGF-β superfamily, whose network is highly conserved across many species. In Danio rerio (zebrafish), this signaling pathway directs dorsoventral axis formation during early embryogenesis. The feedback loops among the molecular species involved are extremely complex, and the requirement for the heterodimer-heterotetramer complex for signal transduction is theorized to be due to functional advantage but no evolutionary drivers have been uncovered. Building and developing a multiscale model of this process will allow us to mechanistically assess zebrafish phenotype variability related to the distributions of noise and stochasticity. We can also analyze time-dependent signaling and frequency metrics that are not available in deterministic modeling. Fast Fourier Transform and cumulative energy spectral density show that the heterodimer-heterotetramer complex may function as a low-pass filter in dorsal-ventral axis formation, specifically tuned to the noise of the system. To further probe this system, we are working to develop an experimental optogenetics protocol to genetically manipulate dorsoventral signal transduction in vivo and analyze fluorescence intensity of the downstream pSmad gradient. Through these multiscale modeling efforts and experimental coupling, we hope to further understand the noise origins and signal processing of this network. As the BMP signaling pathway has been implicated in human bone growth and wound healing, its study in simpler systems stands to accelerate our comprehension of BMP network and molecular mechanisms with application in regenerative medical studies. -- Bmeroundtable-list mailing list Bmeroundtable-list(a)ecn.purdue.edu https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECN/mailman/listinfo/bmeroundtable-list

1 0

[Bmeroundtable-list] Purdue Day of Giving Donuts
by Rhonda Wolf Jones 28 Apr '25

28 Apr '25

[cid:image001.png@01DBB822.7AE6DA70] -- Bmeroundtable-list mailing list Bmeroundtable-list(a)ecn.purdue.edu https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECN/mailman/listinfo/bmeroundtable-list

1 0

FW: Seminar for Neurotrauma and Diseases - Dr. Aaron Bowman
by Rhonda Wolf Jones 28 Apr '25

28 Apr '25

Please join the Center for Paralysis Research as we host Dr. Aaron Bowman on Wednesday, April 30 from 4 - 5pm in DLR 131 for our second seminar of Spring 2025! Dr. Bowman is the Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences and Professor of the School of Health Sciences here at Purdue, where he leads an innovative lab that uses a combined approach in molecular genetics, pharmacology, biochemistry, and cell and developmental biology to understand the role of gene-environment interactions in relation to metal exposure and neurodegenerative diseases. He will be presenting "Modeling persistent and chronic effects of neurodevelopmental exposures in human stem cells derived neurons". Feel free to contact us with any questions: cpr(a)purdue.edu<mailto:cpr@purdue.edu> For more information and the full seminar series listing, please visit our website<https://www.vet.purdue.edu/cpr/seminars.php>.

1 0

[Bmeroundtable-list] Purdue Day of Giving Donuts
by Rhonda Wolf Jones 28 Apr '25

28 Apr '25

[cid:image001.png@01DBB822.7AE6DA70] -- Bmeroundtable-list mailing list Bmeroundtable-list(a)ecn.purdue.edu https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECN/mailman/listinfo/bmeroundtable-list

1 0

[Bmeroundtable-list] Purdue Day of Giving Donuts
by Rhonda Wolf Jones 28 Apr '25

28 Apr '25

[cid:image001.png@01DBB822.7AE6DA70] -- Bmeroundtable-list mailing list Bmeroundtable-list(a)ecn.purdue.edu https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECN/mailman/listinfo/bmeroundtable-list

1 0

[Bmeroundtable-list] Purdue Day of Giving Donuts
by Rhonda Wolf Jones 28 Apr '25

28 Apr '25

[cid:image001.png@01DBB822.7AE6DA70] -- Bmeroundtable-list mailing list Bmeroundtable-list(a)ecn.purdue.edu https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECN/mailman/listinfo/bmeroundtable-list

1 0

[Bmeroundtable-list] BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Christopher Schorr (K. Lee, X. Bao and S. Harbin, advisors)
by May, Sandra M 28 Apr '25

28 Apr '25

BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Christopher Schorr (K. Lee, X. Bao and S. Harbin, advisors) Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 1:00 pm. Title: Elucidating the Kinase-Independent Regulation of PIM2 in Multiple Myeloma Date: April 16th, 2025 Time: 1:00 pm Zoom link: https://iu.zoom.us/j/82335784398<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fiu.zoom.u…> Committee: Dr. Kelvin Lee, Dr. Xiaoping Bao, Dr. Sherry Harbin, Dr. Michael Heinz Abstract: Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable hematologic malignancy with poor prognosis due to the inevitable development of drug resistance. A key driver of MM progression and therapeutic failure is the overexpression of the oncogenic kinase PIM2, which promotes cancer cell survival through both kinase-dependent and kinase-independent mechanisms. Despite significant overexpression in MM and association with poor outcomes, ATP-competitive PIM2 inhibitors have shown limited efficacy in clinical trials. In contrast, our laboratory's non-ATP competitive inhibitor JP11646 demonstrates superior efficacy by downregulating PIM2 gene expression, suggesting mechanisms beyond simple kinase inhibition. This research investigates the hypothesis that PIM2 maintains its constitutive overexpression in MM through a kinase-independent autoregulatory feedback loop involving the oncogenic transcription factors MYC and SP1. Through chromatin immunoprecipitation, protein interaction studies, and luciferase reporter assays, we demonstrate that both wild-type and kinase-dead PIM2 localize to the nucleus, associate with MYC and SP1, and bind to the PIM2 promoter. We identify critical SP1 binding sites in the PIM2 promoter region essential for this regulation, with mutation of these sites significantly reducing PIM2 expression. Disruption of the PIM2-MYC-SP1 complex through JP11646 treatment, but not through ATP-competitive inhibition, significantly reduces PIM2 expression and MM cell viability. These findings reveal a novel kinase-independent autoregulatory mechanism that maintains high PIM2 levels in MM cells and provides a potential explanation for the limited efficacy of conventional PIM2 kinase inhibitors. This work identifies a previously uncharacterized vulnerability that could be exploited to develop more effective targeted therapies for MM patients. -- Bmeroundtable-list mailing list Bmeroundtable-list(a)ecn.purdue.edu https://engineering.purdue.edu/ECN/mailman/listinfo/bmeroundtable-list

1 1