BME WEEKLY ROUNDTABLE

March 25, 2024

INTERIM HEAD’S NOTE

Dear all, I hope you had an exciting weekend enjoying time with family and watching March Madness. It is so good to see the Boilermakers this year are playing better as a team than last year’s group that lost in the first round as a No. 1 seed. They thoroughly dominated their first two opponents. Now in the Sweet 16 and facing a tough fifth-seeded Gonzaga team in Detroit. I had a lot of fun with my daughter following the progression of every game and checking our brackets throughout a four-day span. One of her brackets is leading but one of mine still has potentially the max score.

I encourage everyone to find time to attend the Celebrating Our Associate Professors event this Tuesday, March 26, 11:30 – 1 pm. Our own Yunjie Tong will be celebrating. Let us celebrate with him. For more information, please find details in the following section.

The working group on teaching load guideline development had another meeting. We made clarifications on a few issues. We will meet again on April 19^th and will work on framework language from now to then.

BMEGSA is excited to announce the 2024 BME Research Symposium to be held on April 16th, 2024 in the Hall for Discovery Learning Research (DLR) in Room 131 from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. I want to use this opportunity to thank our faculty and the students in their labs who did outstanding research work and are getting ready for their presentation in this research symposium.

Finally, what may have gotten you excited is the following: Just after 3 PM ET on April 8, 2024, some parts of Indiana will experience a total solar eclipse. It will be the first time in more than 800 years that a total solar eclipse will be visible in our area and the only total solar eclipse to occur everywhere until August 2044. For this once-in-a-generation experience, Purdue will present a total solar eclipse viewing event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which has an exciting day of programming and festivities featuring Purdue experts, alumni, students and more.

Our next and final department faculty meeting will be on 4/5. Welcome your suggestions and questions.

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES

Week of March 25

Mon., March 25: BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Bibek Raut (M. Verma, advisor), 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., LYLE 1150. Research Title: Integrating molecular diagnostics and behavioral monitoring tools for animal health.

Tues., March 26: Celebrating Our Associate Professors, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., STEW 279. Leaving no good deed unknown, the College of Engineering is pleased to present its Spring 2024 Celebrating Our Associate Professors lunch sessions. Each event in the series features recently tenured Associate Professors making brief presentations on aspects of their teaching/learning, research and/or engagement activities and reflecting on the paths and decisions they took toward their success. There will also be opportunities to have conversations about the presented work with colleagues in attendance. BME’s own Yunjie Tong will be celebrated on March 26^th. Register here: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9ytEE0HwCqPig0S?_ga=2.125908997.903406085.1707744210-678665806.1706901767&utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=COAP%20-%20Spring%202024%20-%20March&utm_id=45880097

Tues., March 26: BME PhD Defense Announcement for Luke Schepers (C. Goergen, advisor). Everyone is welcome to attend the public presentation starting at 12:00pm in MJIS 2001 and via Zoom. Title: Photocurable Sealant Development for Hemostasis and Aortic Aneurysm Thrombus Characterization with Ultrasound, Histology, and Microscopy.

Tues., March 26: Environmental and Ecological Engineering (EEE) Research Seminar, 10:30 a.m., POTR 234 (Fu Room). Ikenna C. Niebedim, PhD, Scientist and Deputy Lead, Critical Materials Innovation Hub, Ames National Laboratory and Adjunct Associate Professor, Iowa State University, will present “Materials Recycling for Electric Vehicles Application.”

Wed., March 27: BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Seungbin Park (M. Dadarlat, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 10:00 a.m. in DLR 221. Title: Decoding multi-limb trajectories of a running mouse from calcium imaging using deep learning.

Wed., March 27: BME PhD Defense Announcement for Alexis Hoerter (E. Pienaar, advisor), 11:00 a.m. in MJIS 2001 and via Zoom. Title: Agent-Based Modeling of Infectious Disease Dynamics: Insights into Tuberculosis, Pediatric HIV, and Tuberculosis-HIV Coinfection.

Wed., March 27: AntiMicrobial Resistance Seminar, 12:00 p.m., Drug Discovery Facility, Lobby Conference Room and via Zoom. Dr. Ed Greenfield, Indiana University, will present “The novel antibiotic halicin retains antibacterials activity against biofilms.” According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur annually in the US, resulting in 35,000 deaths. Combating AMR requires multifaceted efforts in both the healthcare and veterinary sectors. In response to this critical public health threat, scientists at Purdue University are working together to increase awareness and discover solutions for advanced diagnostics, treatment, and prevention.

Zoom link: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/92721706646?pwd=Y3VncExzUmFQQk9MS3Q2TUlLeE1Ldz09

AMR Website: https://vet.purdue.edu/amr/#seminars

AMR Conference https://vet.purdue.edu/amr/conference/

About us: https://vet.purdue.edu/amr/seminars/about.php

Wed., March 27: BME Special Research Seminar, 2:00 p.m., MJIS 2001 and via Zoom. Larry S. Schlesinger, M.D., Professor, President and CEO, Texas Biomedical Research Institute will present “The M. tuberculosis macrophage encounter: From basic science discovery to a potential host-directed therapy for tuberculosis.”

MJIS ALERT

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — With warmer weather on the horizon, shared Veo bicycles and electric devices on Monday (March 11) returned to the West Lafayette campus.

As a new feature, riders will be unable to end a trip and stop charges until the device is parked in a designated area. The Veo app will notify the rider when trying to end the ride if the device is not in an established parking zone based on GPS data, then the individual will be able to identify the nearest approved parking location through the app. Parking zones are denoted with a white “P” in a blue circle icon in the app to help riders plan their trips and properly park. Upon moving the device to an appropriate location, the ride can be ended. As was previously the case, devices may only be parked in bicycle racks or areas that have Veo parking signage posted.

See here for the full Purdue Today article: https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2024/Q1/veo-devices-return-to-campus-with-new-user-and-parking-requirements.html?utm_source=sfmcPT&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=240315PurdueToday&utm_term=Veo+devices+return+to+campus+with+new+user+and+parking+requirements&utm_id=878620

Reminder to All Students – Final Exam Accommodations

Please remind students with disability-related accommodations of the April 19 deadline to request to take final exams with Purdue Testing Services

The deadline for Purdue students with disability-related accommodations to schedule Spring 2024 final exams with Purdue Testing Services is 11:55 p.m. Friday, April 19. Instructors are encouraged to remind their classes of this deadline in the weeks leading up to finals.

As a reminder, students will not be able to schedule final exams until 1) the Registrar releases the final exam schedule and 2) instructors submit a Testing Information Form (TIF) for their final exam. Students will receive an email when the final exam scheduling window opens.

Students who do not submit a final exam request before the deadline will not be able to take their accommodated exams with Purdue Testing Services and instructors will need to make other arrangements to facilitate testing accommodations. Start times for final exams are set by the university and are as follows: 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET. Read more

WorldHealth Purdue’s Glow Run 5K Charity Event

Glow Run 5k is taking place on Friday April 5^th. As an event that is aimed at promoting health and wellness, we wanted to specifically reach out to you all, as we thought it might align with your mission and goals. This is a campus and community-driven event, and we believe that your support would really help make this event successful. Proceeds will help the Lafayette Transitional Housing Center!

This year, we will be having raffles and prizes for all participants, and those who have more referrals get extra entries. We will also have medals for those who place. Details about this can be found on our website: https://worldhealthpurdue.wixsite.com/worldhealth-purdue-g and on the attached flyer.

2024 BME Research Symposium: Innovations in Biomedical Engineering

BMEGSA is excited to announce the 2024 BME Research Symposium to be held on April 16th, 2024 in the Hall for Discovery Learning Research (DLR) in Room 131 from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Abstracts submissions are now open! All BME-affiliated undergraduate, post-bacs, and graduate students are welcomed to submit an abstract. The submission is open to both West Lafayette and Indianapolis campus. All abstract submissions are due by March 19th at 11:59pm on the submission portal. We encourage all students to apply, and please ensure your abstract follows the directions provided in this email. There will be cash prizes and awards for the top oral and poster presentations!

For all attendees, please complete the registration form for the BME Symposium, which can be found here. There is no cost to register for the symposium.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Brendan (bbkazu@purdue.edu) or Lizzy (frazie34@purdue.edu) via email.

Upcoming important deadlines and information

Mon., April 1: BME Master's Defense Announcement for Kevin Bautista (Jacqueline Linnes, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 1:00 PM EST in MRGN 129 and via Zoom. Title: A Miniaturized Potentiostat for Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Wed., April 3: IBSC-BME PhD Defense Announcement for Navaporn Sritong (Jacqueline Linnes, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 2:30 p in MJIS 2001 and via Zoom. Dissertation title: Development of Viral Molecular Detection Platforms for Point-Of-Care Diagnostics.

Wed., April 3: BME Master’s Defense Announcement for Madeleine Stanik (N. Kong, advisor). Everyone is welcome to attend the public presentation starting at 10:00am in DLR 131 and via Zoom. Title: Predicting The Risks of Recurrent Stroke and Post-Infection Seizure in Residents of Skilled Nursing Facilities - A Machine Learning Approach

Thurs., April 4: 19^th Annual Garnet E. Peck Symposium, France A. Cordova Recreational Sports Center. Registration now open: www.purdue.edu/conferences/Peck2024 . The Peck Symposium will showcase the digital transformations occurring in the pharmaceutical industry. Presentations include the latest developments in discovery, data analysis, process development and the application of AI in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as a poster session and 3-minute student thesis competition. Chaired by Dr. Nathaniel Milton, Professor of Practice. Questions? Email Cindy Everhart, IMPH Communications & Events Coordinator, ceverha1@purdue.edu

Thurs., April 4: Seminars in Hearing Research, 12:00 noon, Nelson Hall, Room 1215. Ananthanarayan Krishnan, PhD, Professor of SLHS, will present "The spatiotemporal organization of the pitch processing network is shaped by tonal language experience."

Thurs., Apr. 4: BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Zachary R. Davis (Deva Chan, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 1:00 pm in MJIS 2001. Dissertation title: Understanding spatial and volumetric content changes in cartilage and tissue engineered repair scaffolds using non-invasive imaging.

Fri., April 5: BME Special Seminar, 10:00 a.m., MJIS 2001 and via Zoom. Ulrike Dydak, PhD, Professor of Health Sciences and Director, Purdue Life Sciences MRI Facility and Associate Director of Women’s Global Health Institute, Purdue University, will present “Quantitative MRI and Edited Spectroscopy to Study the Risk of Manganese Toxicity in Welders.”

Sat., April 6: E-Waste Day, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds (1190 Teal Road, Lafayette). Our bi-annual e-waste event is back on April 6th from 8am-2pm at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds! This event includes FREE electronics recycling, paper shredding, and medicine disposal for Tippecanoe County residents!

Details on E-waste Recycling: Tippecanoe County residents may bring in electric and electronic devices such as TVs, computers, laptops, vacuum cleaners, printers, etc. for recycling at no charge. We will NOT accept items with refrigerant such as AC units, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, or freezers. We will NOT accept large appliances such as washing machines or stoves. Those can be recycled at Oscar Winski Scrap Metal at 2407 N 9th St. All attendees must show proof of Tippecanoe County residency to receive free service.
Details on paper shredding: A paper shredding truck will be on-site to accept up to two banker boxes of paper to shred and recycle from each car. Just pull up, dump your box in the bin, and that's it! Paper clips, staples, folders, and file tabs are A-OK! Please remove binders and alligator clips.
Details on medicine take-back: The Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department will also be here to accept any unused or expired medicines. Over-the-counter and prescription (including controlled substances) are accepted. It will be dumped out onsite, so bring it loose if possible! All of your medicines will be destroyed and disposed of safely. We will not take liquids, needles of any kind, insulin, or powders.
We will have volunteers on hand to unload your electronics. Please have them packed in your vehicle in an easy-to-unload manner so that we can keep the line of cars moving.

Wed., April 10: Purdue Engineering Distinguished Lecture Series. Jeffrey Dean, Google Senior Fellow and SVP of Google Research and Google Health, Google Research will present “Machine Learning, AI and Applications of AI.” This seminar is hosted by the College of Engineering, and Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Register at bit.ly/pedls-dean

Wed., April 10: ISCTR Artificial Intelligence Enabling Medical Devices Webinar, 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. Please join our own Aaron Lottes (panel member) in a 1-hour webinar via zoom hosted by the ISCTR titled, 'Artificial Intelligence Enabling Medical Devices.' Join this free, insightful 1-hour webinar on the advancements of artificial intelligence in medicine. Learn how AI is aiding in the treatment, diagnoses, and research in healthcare. We will feature speakers from the FDA, CMS, as well as pioneers of AI medicine. Through this webinar, you will gain insight into patent protection strategies, patient safety and regulatory compliance, and the evolution of AI in the medical field. Register now to get exclusive information regarding the innovation and future of artificial intelligence in medicine!
Webinar Speakers:
Spencer B. King, III, MD (Emeritus Professor @Emory University)
Louis Jacques, MD (Former Director, CMS)
James Min, MD (Founder & CEO, Cleerly, Inc.)
Wenbo Li, PhD (Lead Reviewer of Medical Devices, FDA)
Joseph Hutter, MD (Center for Standards & Quality, CMS)
Nabil Dib, MD, MSc (President, ISCTR)
*Click the link below to register in advance for this insightful webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jqQ_0O7oS3Cpbuxf6zOhsg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Wed., April 17: BME Distinguished Research Seminar, 9:30 a.m., MRGN 121 and via Zoom. Kim “Avrama” Blackwell, VMD, PhD, Professor and DEO of Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa, will present “Control of Synaptic Plasticity by Estradiol and Calcium.”

Fri., June 7: Indiana Human-Centered Design for Health Seminar Series, 12:00 p.m. via Zoom. Lean about research and best practices in HCD and health, promote the diverse HCD expertise in Indiana, and build a community of HCD researchers and practitioners focused on health, in Indiana and beyond. The speaker will be Youngbok Hon, Professor, Herron School of Art and Design, IUPUI. Register and learn about upcoming seminars at healthtechquitylab.org/hcd-seminar

Resources and further information

Mon., March 25: BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Bibek Raut (M. Verma, advisor), 10:00 a.m. -- 12:00 p.m., LYLE 1150. Research Title: Integrating molecular diagnostics and behavioral monitoring tools for animal health.

Thesis Committee: Dr. Mohit Verma (Advisor), Dr. Jacqueline Linnes, Dr. Jonathan A. Paternak, Dr. Young Kim

Abstract: The global increase in demand for animal-based food products has led to an increase in factory farms, necessitating effective measures to monitor animal health and wellbeing, and to prevent disease outbreaks and economic losses. The scale and density of industrial animal farms make it challenging for farm staff to monitor the animals around the clock. Most farms still have to send samples to centralized labs even if a farmer or veterinarian detects a symptom; the turnaround time for results might be a few days to weeks, during which time there is a risk of disease spreading rapidly throughout the farm. Therefore, for successful disease control, there should be on-farm diagnostics to identify specific disease causative agents as well as a round-the-clock animal health monitoring system to keep an eye on abnormal behavioral changes and symptoms in animals. My research approach is to combine these two forms of disease monitoring and detection. The first part focuses on developing an AI-assisted low-cost camera-based surveillance system, while the second part focuses on developing portable heater and imager instruments that will allow me to run loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) based molecular tests on the farm itself and get results in less than an hour. Additionally, these tests use disposable paper pads and plastic cartridges that cost between 1-5 dollars making them more affordable for farmers. This integrated approach promises significant potential in early disease detection on farms, thereby helping to prevent outbreaks and substantial economic losses to animal farmers.

Tues., March 26: BME PhD Defense Announcement for Luke Schepers (C. Goergen, advisor). Everyone is welcome to attend the public presentation starting at 12:00pm in MJIS 2001 and via Zoom. Title: Photocurable Sealant Development for Hemostasis and Aortic Aneurysm Thrombus Characterization with Ultrasound, Histology, and Microscopy.

Thesis Committee: Craig J. Goergen, Chair; Vitaliy L. Rayz; Andrew Otte; Jonathan D. Tune

Abstract: Hemorrhage and aortic aneurysms result from external or internal damage to a vessel wall and can be lethal if timely interventions are not made. Blood clotting and thrombus sometimes have a negative connotation in the medical community, but the coagulation cascade is a vital response to hemorrhage and disease. For hemorrhage, the coagulation cascade forms a plug at the injury site providing potentially life-saving hemostasis. In aortic aneurysms, blood coagulates inside the vessel or vessel wall to form intraluminal or intramural thrombus. The role of intraluminal and intramural thrombus in aneurysm rupture remains poorly understood, but past research suggests it may protect against further vessel damage dependent on its location and time of deposition. My dissertation focuses on application of a new photocurable sealant that surrounds a wound and aids in the coagulation cascade during hemorrhage, and analysis of the intramural and intraluminal thrombus that forms in aortic dissections and abdominal aortic aneurysms, respectively. We used volumetric and pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound to detect changes in hemodynamics, vessel morphology, aneurysm thrombus deposition, and tracked the photocurable sealant’s performance and degradation in vivo. We used novel scanning electron microscopy analysis techniques in aortic aneurysm studies to uncover and quantify new information about thrombus structure. Our characterization and in vivo feasibility study with the photocurable sealant can serve as evidence for translation to future use in humans, and our techniques and findings in murine aneurysm models can potentially be used to elucidate the role and structure of thrombus in human aortic aneurysms.

Zoom link: https://purdueedu.zoom.us/j/96249556476pwd=UXh0SnBnVVNyK0xQbk4wTTdxNUZCZz09

Abstract: The need to transition to a clean energy economy has received significant global attention in recent years. This has led to pledges by different nations to get to net-zero emissions. For example, the United States targets achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Of the different strategies for meeting the targets, significant emphasis has been placed on the electrification of transportation systems. This requires advancement in two key components: traction drives and batteries in electric vehicles (EVs). Recycling of the critical metals contained in these components is one aspect of the advancement strategies. Despite several years of research in recycling permanent magnets and batteries, there are still hurdles to overcome towards making a significant impact. This talk will, therefore, focus on approaches employed in the recycling of critical metals from permanent magnets in EV traction drives and batteries. It will include a discussion of the key limitations and the opportunities to overcome those. Some innovative approaches developed in the Critical Materials Innovation Hub and Ames National Laboratory will be presented.

Bio: Ikenna Nlebedim is a scientist at Ames Laboratory and a deputy lead in the Developing Substitutes focus area of the Critical Materials Innovation Hub. He is also an adjunct associate professor at Iowa State University. He obtained his Ph.D. from Cardiff University, United Kingdom. Ikenna’s research has focused on the development, modeling, functionalization, and recycling of materials, including rare earth permanent magnets and lithium-ion batteries. As a principal investigator and group leader at Ames Laboratory, he led the multi-institution national research effort that produced the first Made-in-America rare-earth magnet within 20 years, using materials sourced entirely from the United States. Also, he leads a group of researchers developing recycling technologies for rare earths, lithium, cobalt, and other critical elements. He led the research effort that developed the novel environmentally friendly acid-free dissolution recycling process. Ikenna’s research has received several patents, R&D100 awards, Federal Laboratory Consortium awards, TechConnect Innovation awards, and Ames Laboratory Inventor awards. His research excellence has also been recognized with an Ames National Laboratory Director’s Excellence award and an Iowa State University Professional and Scientific Research award. He is a technical committee member of the IEEE Magnetic Society and was chair of the society's young professionals, as well as a member of the administrative committee.

This seminar is hosted by the Environmental and Ecological Engineering department at Purdue.

Wed., March 27: BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Seungbin Park (M. Dadarlat, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 10:00 a.m. in DLR 221. Title: Decoding multi-limb trajectories of a running mouse from calcium imaging using deep learning.

Advisory committee: Maria Dadarlat (Advisor, BME), Eugenio Culurciello (BME), Young Kim (BME), Joseph Makin (ECE)

Abstract: Decoding neural activity into behaviorally-relevant variables such as speech or movement is an essential step in the development of brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) and can be used to clarify the role of distinct brain areas in relation to behavior. Two-photon (2p) calcium imaging provides access to thousands of neurons with single-cell resolution and therefore is a promising tool for next-generation optical BMIs. However, decoding 2p calcium imaging recordings into behavioral variables for use in real-time applications has traditionally been challenging due to the low sampling rate of the signal as well as the indirect and non-linear relationship between the underlying neural activity and the slow fluorescent signal. Here, I aim to decode the continuous multi-limb trajectories of running mice from neural recordings made with 2p calcium imaging over the primary somatosensory cortex and primary motor cortex in a single hemisphere using deep learning. The work demonstrates the feasibility of using deep learning methods to identify and characterize populations of neurons that encode behaviorally-relevant variables. This approach will be critical in the future implementation of neural decoding for next-generation optical BMIs that will improve the lives of patients suffering from neurological injury and disease.

Wed., March 27: BME PhD Defense Announcement for Alexis Hoerter (E. Pienaar, advisor), 11:00 a.m. in MJIS 2001 and via Zoom. Title: Agent-Based Modeling of Infectious Disease Dynamics: Insights into Tuberculosis, Pediatric HIV, and Tuberculosis-HIV Coinfection.

Advisory Committee: Elsje Pienaar (Chair), Larry S. Schlesinger, Alexandria Volkening, Qing Deng

Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), and human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV) are major public health concerns, individually and in combination. The status of the host immune system, previous Mtb infection and HIV-mediated T cell exhaustion, can have significant impacts on immune dynamics during reinfection. Individuals with asymptomatic latent TB infection (LTBI) may be protected against Mtb reinfection, as demonstrated by animal and in vitro studies. However, the underlying dynamics and protective mechanisms of LTBI are poorly understood. In HIV, long-term infection in children and associated T cell exhaustion leads to weakened immune responses to HIV reinfection. The complexity of these infections, particularly in the context of the heightened vulnerability of HIV+ individuals to TB, underscores the need for novel investigative approaches to study host-pathogen and pathogen-pathogen interactions. To this, we have developed an agent-based model (ABM) as a mechanistic computational tool to simulate the immune response to Mtb and HIV, separately and during coinfection. Our ABM integrates clinical and experimental data; simulates immune cell dynamics between macrophages, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells; and produces emergent granuloma-like structures – a critical response to Mtb. This in silico approach allows us to efficiently explore host-pathogen interactions and their clinical implications. By unraveling the complex interplay of immune cell activation, T cell exhaustion, and pathogen dynamics, our model offers insights that could guide the development of targeted therapies. By quantifying the multifaceted nature of these diseases and their interactions, we highlight the potential of computational approaches in understanding and treating complex diseases, individually and in combination.

Zoom: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/97670276836?pwd=QXBGVncyRkxPTEU4R1JEN0x5ZW41UT09

Abstract: The Schlesinger lab explores human mononuclear phagocyte biology and the pathogenesis of tuberculosis (TB) and diseases due to other airborne intracellular pathogens that subvert lung immune mechanisms. These studies include the impact of HIV, aging and diabetes on cellular function in TB. We develop human in vitro models as a bridge to therapies, focusing on druggable pathways for host-directed therapies (HDT) for infectious diseases. Backed by fundamental findings in the lab, our recent studies provide evidence that inducing intrinsic/mitochondrial based apoptosis limits intracellular M.tb growth. We used specific inhibitors of MCL-1 and BCL-2, which are key regulatory proteins that normally inhibit apoptosis and so have been heavily targeted for cancer treatment. We considered repurposing cancer chemotherapies and thereby used an FDA-approved BCL-2 inhibitor that was awarded breakthrough designation by the FDA in 2017, in combination with MCL-1 inhibitors that are in phase I/II clinical trials for cancer therapy. For the first time, we show that specifically combining MCL-1 and BCL-2 inhibitors to induce apoptosis of M.tb-infected macrophages: 1) limits M.tb growth in both human and murine macrophages, 2) reduces growth of drug resistant M.tb to a similar extent as drug susceptible M.tb, 3) combines with antibiotic treatment to more effectively reduce M.tb growth than antibiotics or MCL-1 and BCL-2 inhibitors alone and 4) reduces M.tb burden in a pre-clinical human granuloma model. This work uncovers targeting the intrinsic apoptosis pathway as a promising approach for drug-susceptible and -resistant TB HDT. As apoptosis is associated with improved antigen presentation and reduced inflammation, it could boost the immune response while limiting damaging tissue inflammation associated with TB disease. Since safety and activity studies are underway in cancer clinics for MCL-1 and BCL-2 inhibitors, re-purposing them for TB treatment should translate more readily and rapidly to the clinic.

Biography: Dr. Schlesinger is a leading physician scientist focused on how the lung environment shapes alveolar macrophage biology in the context of the pathogenesis of tuberculosis and lung diseases caused by other intracellular pathogens that subvert lung immunity. He translates these discoveries into new human-based platforms and assays for host directed therapies for infectious diseases. He is a prolific scholar, having authored 240 peer-reviewed articles and reviews, served as editor of 2 books and has written several chapters in leading textbooks. He has been continually funded by the NIH and other federal agencies as well as private foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for more than 30 years. He has trained ~175 individuals and led NIH-funded training programs. He is a past NIH NIAID Council member, Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Association of American Physicians and American Academy of Microbiology. Dr. Schlesinger received his BA from Cornell University, MD from Rutgers University, and clinical and research Fellowships at UCLA Health. He has held faculty appointments at the University of Iowa and The Ohio State University, the latter as director the Division of Infectious Diseases, founding chair of the Department of Microbial Infection & Immunity and director of the Infectious Diseases Institute.

ZOOM LINK https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/98508885744

Email from Associate Dean Ali Shakouri re: ARPA-H

I wanted to share new details from ARPA-H. The agency just announced that they are restructuring the Open BAA after the 3/14 deadline to create four funding opportunities within the mission offices they have established thus far (they’re calling them Mission Office-specific Innovation Solutions Openings (ISOs)). Each ISO has a targeted area of interest, but they still seem broad enough to provide some leeway with proposals.

The targeted areas are:

Health Science Futures
Proactive Health
Resilient Systems
Scalable Solutions

More information can be found here: https://sam.gov/opp/0f71794fda5b47b68ee28139c2468fdb/view

These opportunities not only restructure what was the Open BAA, but will likely be the structure for ARPA-H moving forward. These opportunities have an abstract due date of March 2025.

It is important to note that the agency still has authority to spend money and is still fully funded through FY 2025. They will also continue to introduce specific programs to tackle particular issues, some of which will provide upwards of $100 million in awards.

Mon., April 1: BME Master's Defense Announcement for Kevin Bautista (Jacqueline Linnes, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 1:00 PM EST in MRGN 129 and via Zoom. Title: A Miniaturized Potentiostat for Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Committee: Dr. Jacqueline Linnes (Chair), Dr. Lia Stanciu, Dr. D. Marshall Porterfield

Abstract: Portable sensing enables an enhanced form of disease monitoring due to its accessible form-factors, low costs, and insights into user health, along with enhanced detection methods due to its many use cases for at-home or in-field applications. To that end, electrochemistry has been a widely used technique in characterization, detection, and diagnostics. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), is an electrochemical technique that enables electrode surface characterization through changes in impedance across a given frequency range making it sensitive to interactions at the electrode surface and enabling the detection and quantification of analytes. While EIS has been traditionally limited to benchtop potentiostats, advancements in integrated circuits (ICs) have since enabled the miniaturization of potentiostats for at-home or field applications. However, implementation of EIS in a portable format is still limited by discontinuous measurements, high cost, or designs not fit for portability. This work revolves around the development of a miniaturized potentiostat that can implement EIS to better accommodate the need for miniaturized sensing platforms. My design uses the AD5941 IC which is a single-chip potentiostat analog-front-end enabling a small form-factor that fits in the palm of the user’s hand. The device was able to characterize a resistor-capacitor circuit with errors as low as 0.052% and quantify the concentration of a redox active compound with a 6.2% error, providing agreeable results with a commercial benchtop potentiostat and demonstrating our device’s potential for diagnostic applications. Our working frequency range of 200 kHz – 0.15 Hz, coupled with high system configurability and a cost of $50 makes our device an accessible option for at-home and portable applications. Future work to implement truly wireless functionalities, such as WiFi or Bluetooth Low Energy, along with experimental testing of biological substances will create a truly robust platform for portable diagnostic and sensing applications.

Zoom link: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/95371010513?pwd=VW1vZXVJZ0crT0ViSGR4ZUtvUGVrdz09

Thesis Committee: Nan Kong, Chair; Zachary Hass; Fiona Kolbinger

Abstract: Recurrent stroke, infection, and seizure are some of the most common complications in stroke survivors. Recurrent stroke leads to death in 38.6% of survivors, and infections are the most common risk factor for seizures, with stroke survivors that experience an infection being at greater risk of experiencing a seizure. Two predictive models were generated, recurrent stroke and post-infection seizure, to determine stroke survivors at greatest risk to help providers focus on prevention in higher risk patients. This study used the Long-Term Care Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 and applied data balancing, feature selection, and four modeling methods to predict risk for each of the two complications. This work focused on the interpretation of the models to identify features that contributed most to the prediction. For recurrent stroke, it was indicated that treatment combinations of therapy, therapeutic diet, and medications (antidepressants, anticoagulants, and diuretics) contributed the most to reducing recurrent stroke risk when compared to individual treatment features. Meaning that stroke patients who received a pairwise combination of these treatments had a reduced risk of recurrent stroke. For post-infection seizure, interpretation indicated that therapy, independence, and mood related features contributed the most. Meaning, stroke survivors who received fewer therapy hours, were less independent, and had a worse overall mood were at a greater risk of having a post-infection seizure. Uncovering which factors contribute the most to recurrent stroke and pot-infection seizure risk may aid healthcare professionals in adjusting treatment and rehabilitation plans to improve resident outcomes.

Zoom link: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/9394825063?omn=95691568486

Abstract: There is compelling evidence that tonal language experience shapes neural representations of pitch in the auditory brainstem and cortex. However, crucial questions remain about the spatiotemporal organization of this distributed pitch network. (1) How does language experience change the spatiotemporal dynamics and coordination of pitch processing at different stages/time windows (when) along the processing hierarchy? (2) Does language experience selectively reconfigure the brain regions, their connectivity strengths, and hemispheric preference at the different stages (where) based on functional demands? (3) Does language experience preferentially drive temporal and/or spectral cue-based mechanisms of pitch encoding (how)? Our long-term objective is to advance knowledge of how language experience shapes the spatiotemporal (when, where, and how) reorganization of the brain and its underlying pitch circuitry. Using a cross-linguistic (Mandarin vs. English) design, we propose a novel multimodal neuroimaging approach that integrates EEG-derived pitch-specific responses with fMRI and functional connectivity measures to assess the brain processes subserving language-dependent tuning of pitch representations at different spatial scales and temporal windows of processing. The long-term goal is to advance our understanding of how language experiences reconfigure the distributed processing network to optimally represent behaviorally relevant acoustic, and linguistic features of dynamic pitch. Our central hypothesis is that tonal language experience reconfigures the spatiotemporal dynamics of the brain’s pitch networks according to functional language demands, which in turn, enables optimal neural encoding of linguistically relevant features of the acoustic signal. To this end, we utilize a functionally motivated theoretical framework that views pitch processing as a distributed hierarchical process that involves coordination between multiple stages/time windows of processing in cortical and subcortical regions utilizing local, bottom-up, and top-down processes to address these questions. This presentation will present preliminary evidence addressing Aim 1 which will characterize brainstem and cortical EEG derived pitch specific measures, fMRI activation patterns, and EEG derived functional connectivity measures reflecting early sensory level pitch processing in response to speech and non-speech sounds with native and non-native pitch contours. We aim to show that experience-dependent effects: (i) at the early sensory level processing in the brainstem and auditory cortex, target neural encoding of only the linguistically relevant dynamic temporal attributes of native pitch contours with a left ear advantage (brainstem) and a right hemispheric (RH) preference (auditory cortex irrespective of domain; (ii) will selectively recruit the language network bilaterally (including the pSTG-aSTG axis, temporal pole and IFG) for native pitch contours irrespective of domain but in Mandarin speakers only. Also, EEG derived functional connectivity measures will show a more organized connectivity between early sensory and downstream language related components only in the Mandarin group. These early results are promising and suggests that the spatiotemporal dynamics in the pitch processing is selectively influenced to enhance neural representations of pitch subserving both auditory and linguistic function.

This year’s SHRP schedule is available here: https://purdue.edu/TPAN/hearing/shrp_schedule

Titles and abstracts of all SHRP talks are here: https://purdue.edu/TPAN/hearing/shrp_abstracts

Wed., April 3: IBSC-BME PhD Defense Announcement for Navaporn Sritong (Jacqueline Linnes, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 2:30 p in MJIS 2001 and via Zoom. Dissertation title: Development of Viral Molecular Detection Platforms for Point-Of-Care Diagnostics.

Committee: Dr. Jacqueline C. Linnes (Chair), Dr. Tamara Kinzer-Ursem, Dr. Mohit Verma (ABE), Dr. Karin F. K. Ejendal, Dr. Natalia M. Rodriguez (DPH)

Abstract: The emergence of infectious diseases like HIV, influenza, and COVID-19 highlights the urgent need for highly scalable testing methods that can be deployed outside traditional laboratory settings. Despite decades of research in point-of-care (POC) diagnostics, the main challenge remains the limited performance of assays, especially in terms of sensitivity. Furthermore, most POC assays originating from academic research struggle to transition beyond the laboratory due to manufacturability issues. This dissertation aims to enhance the effectiveness of viral molecular detection platforms for POC diagnostics by improving analytical and clinical sensitivity and facilitating the practical adaptation of academic-developed POC devices for use outside laboratory settings.

Each aim addresses a separate aspect of device development. The first aim addresses the need for clinical accuracy during test interpretation, especially in POC or at-home diagnostic tests, by developing an internal amplification control (IAC). Here, I develop a one-pot duplex reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for detecting SARS-CoV-2 along that incorporates a housekeeping gene as an IAC to ensure the quality of collected samples and the validity of assay reagents. The valid results can be easily visualized in triple-line lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA). The second aim makes progress towards overcoming the limited analytical sensitivity of existing rapid diagnostic tests for acute HIV infection screening. Here, I introduce a novel antibody-initiated LAMP assay targeting the HIV p24 capsid protein that combines LAMP sensitivity with the specificity of HIV p24 and its antibody. There are 3000 p24 capsid proteins present in the virion compared to only 2 viral RNA copies. In the assay, two DNA-conjugated antibody probes will each bind to p24 and their proximity will allow the DNA overlaps to generate a complete DNA target that acts as a trigger for the LAMP reaction. An LFIA is integrated into this design to enable simple result visualization. The third aim improves manufacturability and assembly of our existing nucleic acid detection platform by simplifying the platform components while maintaining the user-friendly sample-to-answer concept. Here, I validate material compatibility testing, assess chamber fabrication methods amenable to large-scale manufacturing, evaluate alternative heating units, and examine fluid flow control mechanisms of the redesigned wax valve. These combined aims demonstrate promising outcomes for practical implementation of molecular diagnostics to the POC.

Zoom link: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/my/jlinnes (open to all)

Thurs., Apr. 4: BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Zachary R. Davis (Deva Chan, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 1:00 pm in MJIS 2001. Dissertation title: Understanding spatial and volumetric content changes in cartilage and tissue engineered repair scaffolds using non-invasive imaging.

Committee: Deva D. Chan, Chair, Craig J. Goergen, Julie C. Liu, Chad C. Carroll

Abstract: Articular cartilage is a soft tissue that lines the end of bones. It contains a complex extracellular matrix with depth dependent properties. It primarily consists of cells called chondrocytes, collagen, proteoglycans, hyaluronic acid and water. Cartilage has poor self-healing properties due to having no blood flow. Thus, when damaged, cartilage begins a degradation process that can progress to severe diseases such as osteoarthritis. Understanding both the roles of cartilage components during both repair and degradation is pivotal to understanding cartilage biology. Repair methods in research include using collagen-based hydrogel constructs that incorporate natural constituents like hyaluronic acid and chondrocytes. However, there are limited non-invasive methods to determine if the repair is successful. Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) has been shown to correlate with biochemical content and ECM fibril organization in cartilage and other soft tissues. Preliminary results show that qMRI outputs could be sensitive to collagen scaffold components, inferring that it may be a useful tool to determine repair progress. Part of this study is to determine how and to what extent each hydrogel component is affecting qMRI outputs. Another part is to determine how chondrocytes remodel the ECM over a 21-day culture period, which would provide insight into what a successful repair looks like through MRI. Finally, we will be knocking out hyaluronan synthase genes to determine the roles of hyaluronic acid in cartilage and bone development in micro computed tomography. These data will be used to create a spatial image processing pipeline that detects where morphological changes occur.

Abstract: Our brain is constantly exposed to neurotoxic insults due to environmental and occupational toxicants, which may play a role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. For example, even in today’s occupational settings inhalation of welding fumes is reported to cause accumulation of the metal manganese (Mn) in the brain, neurochemical changes, and subsequently changes in cognitive and motor function that resemble Parkinson’s Disease. In recent years we reported on increased brain Mn levels correlating with cognitive outcomes, on novel MRI ways to assess excess manganese on a whole-brain basis, as well as on significantly elevated in vivo levels of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the thalamus of metal workers in China and the US. In some brain regions those changes were reversible, with the rate of change being modulated by the amount of life-long exposure to Mn. Our current studies use novel quantitative MRI (qMRI) and advanced MRS editing techniques to explore the dose-response relationships of uptake and elimination of Mn and other heavy metals into specific brain regions of the human brain, the metal burden of the individual brain for risk assessment, and the relationship of brain Mn to oxidative stress markers, neurotransmitter imbalances and neurological outcomes. This talk will introduce and illustrate how non-invasive in-vivo MRI methods may be used to study both the effects and mechanisms of environmental and occupational neurotoxicity.

Biography: Dr. Dydak received her bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Vienna, Austria, and her PhD and postdoctoral training in biomedical engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Switzerland. The Dydak lab focuses on the development and translation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Spectroscopy (MRS) techniques for the in vivo assessment of metal burden in the body and neurochemical concentrations to study disease status and disease prevention. One main goal of the Dydak lab is to use these in vivo imaging methods to better understand the neurotoxic effects of environmental and occupational toxicants.

~ BME Host: Yunjie Tong ~

ZOOM LINK:

https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/9302687285?pwd=MUF1WDludmxQMzYwdkVUNWFWakhNQT09

Abstract: The ability of neurons to respond differentially to specific temporal and spatial patterns of stimulation underlies the storage of memory and information in neural circuits. Synaptic plasticity is one mechanism that conveys this ability to neurons. Brain slice plasticity experiments are widely used to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity; however, there are several limitations. First, most experiments use males and exclude females. To address this, we measured LTP experimentally in both males and cycling females and show that the sex hormone estradiol influences synaptic plasticity. Second, most experiments use regular, periodic stimulation patterns; however, neurons exhibit significant variability in vivo during repeated experiences and experience a diversity of inhibitory inputs. To investigate synaptic plasticity in vivo, we created a data-driven, multi-compartmental model of a striatal spiny projection neuron with sophisticated calcium dynamics. Our synaptic plasticity rule, based on amplitude and duration of calcium transients, can correctly predict the direction of synaptic plasticity for both spike-timing and frequency-based stimulation protocols. We demonstrate that a novel and important function of inhibition is to enhance the difference in calcium between stimulated and non‑stimulated spines, i.e., to enhance synaptic specificity. Using in vivo spike train recordings as inputs, we evaluate how the direction and magnitude of synaptic plasticity are controlled by spatial synaptic interactions and trial-to-trial variability. These results will enable derivation of spike based, spatial plasticity rules for large scale networks of simplified neurons.

Biography: Dr. Blackwell received a VMD and PhD in bioengineering at University of Pennsylvania, as part of the prestigious Veterinary Medical Scientist Training Program (VSMTP). Her professional career began at the not-for-profit Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, where she began developing artificial neural networks for pattern recognition, before changing her research focus to investigate mechanisms of long term memory storage in real neurons. In 1996 Dr. Blackwell joined the faculty of George Mason University, then in August of 2023 became professor and chair of the Roy J Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Iowa. Dr. Blackwell is a world leader in computational modeling of calcium dynamics and signaling pathways underlying plasticity. She has developed several software tools for large scale dynamical modeling of the signaling pathways underlying memory storage in neurons. She has used this software to create data-driven models of striatal and hippocampal signaling pathways. Dr. Blackwell also uses the experimental technique of brain slice electrophysiology to understand the effect of sex and sex hormones on synaptic plasticity. She has several collaborations with internationally recognized experimentalists to understand the mechanisms underlying learning in the hippocampus and pathological changes in the striatum due to drugs of abuse. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, Human Frontiers Science Program, and the National Science Foundation.

~ BME Host: Tamara Kinzer-Ursem ~

ZOOM LINK: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/98557006856?pwd=Y1Y4cXRuSE1HNUNoZm84RlFKblQwQT09

*Students registered for the seminar are expected to attend in-person.

BME Distinguished Seminar Series, 9:30 a.m., MRGN 121 (NOTE LOCATION CHANGE) or via Zoom.

Zoom link: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/5593290378?pwd=eFBOZFlNTU50ZDA2S2gwcnpyOWIwUT09

Note: Students registered for the seminar are expected to attend in-person.

Week #	Date	Speaker	Title	Host	Website
11	3/27/2024	Mikhail G. Shapiro	Professor of Chemical Engineering, Caltech	Krishna Jayant	https://cce.caltech.edu/people/mikhail-g-shapiro
12	4/3/2024	Jennifer Linderman	Pamela Raymond Collegiate Professor of Engineering, University of Michigan	Kinzer-Ursem Pienaar	https://che.engin.umich.edu/people/linderman-jennifer/
13	4/10/2024	Victor Barocas	Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota	Deva Chan	https://cse.umn.edu/bme/victor-barocas
14	4/17/2024	Kim “Avrama” Blackwell	Professor and DEO of Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering	Kinzer-Ursem	https://ibi.gmu.edu/faculty-directory/kim-avrama-blackwell/
15	4/24/2024	Stacey Finley	Nichole A. and Thuan Q. Pham Professor and Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, and Quantitative and Computational Biology, USC	Kinzer-Ursem Pienaar	https://viterbi.usc.edu/directory/faculty/Finley/Stacey

A close-up of a register

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Postdoctoral Fellow Opportunity – IUSM Emergency Medicine

The laboratory of Dr. Nathan J. Alves, PhD, within the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM), is seeking a highly motivated and independent post-doctoral research fellow. Dr. Alves is a Chemical and Biomolecular Engineer, Associate Professor and the Director of Translational Research for the Department of Emergency Medicine in addition to having an affiliate faculty appointment at Purdue University in Biomedical Engineering. The Alves Lab explores highly interdisciplinary research interests applying engineering and biophysical principles and designs to create translational technologies and treatments in the area of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. The primary focus of research in the laboratory is to develop targeted clot digesting therapeutic agents to more safely digest clinically relevant blood clots to treat pulmonary embolism (PE, blood clots in the lungs), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and ischemic stroke. This interdisciplinary research utilizes diverse enzyme assays, chemical synthesis, blood clot formation and digestion assays under shear, and other novel testing/delivery platforms that include multivalent branched molecules and nanoparticle drug delivery systems. Projects Include: (1) Leveraging multivalency to modulate enzyme activity and improve inhibitor selectivity (nanoparticle drug delivery and targeting). (2) Ex-vivo flowing models of clot digestion under shear using in-vivo like fluorescently labeled blood clots from human whole blood. (3) Development of novel fibrinolytic diagnostics tools to assess coagulation state. (4) Mouse models of clot formation/targeting/digestion utilizing intravital microscopy. (5) Study the effects of environmental microplastic exposure on coagulation/fibrinolysis. Projects are funded both externally and internally.

For additional information and to apply, go to: https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/19651

Attachments:

BME_Symposium_Flyer

2024 03 18 EiM symposium flyer

WorldHealth Purdue Glow 5k Flyer

ISCTR AI webinar agenda