BME MONDAY ROUNDTABLE

March 6, 2023

 

DEPUTY HEAD’S NOTE

 

 

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES

 

Week of March 6

 

Mon., March 6:  Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases Research Seminar, 12:00 p.m., via Zoom. Gulminay Mohsin, PGY5, Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Indiana University School of Medicine will present “My Journey: Cushing’s Disease.” Zoom link: https://iu.zoom.us/s/87501979533

 

Wed., March 8:  BME Distinguished Seminar Series, 9:30 a.m., MJIS 1001 or via Zoom. Hubert H. Lim, PhD, Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Otolaryngology, Endowed Lions Professorship in Otolaryngology, Institute for Translational Neuroscience Scholar, Co-Director, Center for Neural Engineering, University of Minnesota will present “Non-invasive ultrasound stimulation of the spleen to treat inflammatory disorders: Animal studies to clinical trials for COVID-19 and rheumatoid arthritis.

 

Wed., March 8: Seminar for Neurotrauma and Diseases, 4:00 p.m., DLR 131 and via Zoom. Robert F. Hunt, PhD, Associate Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology and Director of UCI Epilepsy Research Center, UC Irvine, will present “Reconstructing inhibitory circuits in an injured brain.” The Seminar for Neurotrauma and Diseases is organized by the Center for Paralysis Research and is sponsored by Plexon, the Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, and Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery. Zoom link:  https://bit.ly/3HsTf5R

 

Thurs., March 9:  Seminars in Hearing Research at Purdue (SHRP), 10:30 a.m., LYLE 1150 and via Zoom. Hubert H. Lim, Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Otolaryngology, Endowed Lions Professorship in Otolaryngology, Institute for Translational Neuroscience Scholar, Co-Director of the Center for Neural Engineering at the University of Minnesota will present “Treating Hearing Loss Through New Types of Invasive and Noninvasive Stimulation Technologies.”

 

Fri., March 10:  BME PhD Defense announcement for Nathaniel J. Smith (G. Hutchins and C. Goergen, co-advisors), 7:45 a.m., MJIS 2001 and via Zoom. Title of presentation: “Quantitative Modeling of PET Images in the Diagnostic Assessment of Brain and Prostate Cancer.”

 

Sun., March 12:  Daylight Savings Time begins. Don’t forget to change your clocks!

 

Upcoming important deadlines and info.

 

Mon., March 13 – Fri., March 17:  Purdue University Spring Break

 

Tues., March 14:  MJIS Air Handling Shutdown, beginning at 7:30 AM and lasting until approx. 3:00 PM for preventative maintenance of the building’s air systems. This includes air ventilation supplies to all public, classroom and research areas, including chemical fume hoods. There should be NO chemicals used anywhere! All chemical fume hood activity should terminate by 5 PM Monday March 13th. You must make sure all chemical containers are sealed at that time. Chemical fume hoods will have notices posted - do not resume activity until BME staff have verified that work is complete, and have removed postings.

 

Tues., March 21: BME PhD Defense Announcement for Rashed Almousa (D. Xie and K. Park, Co-Chairs), 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. Title of presentation:  “Surface Modification of PVC/PU for Enhanced Biofouling Resistance.”

 

Wed., March 22: Seminar for Neurotrauma and Diseases, 4:00 p.m., via Zoom. Brad Duerstock, PhD, Professor of Practice for the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue will present “Detection of autonomic dysreflexia in persons with spinal cord injury using noninvasive sensors.” The Seminar for Neurotrauma and Diseases is organized by the Center for Paralysis Research and is sponsored by Plexon, the Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience, and Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery. Zoom link:  https://bit.ly/3HsTf5R

 

Mon., March 27: Special BME Seminar, 9:30 a.m., MJIS 2001. Joseph R. Leach, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Residence, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering at the University of California, San Francisco, will present “Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Assessment – Moving Beyond Measurement.”

 

Thurs., March 30-Fri., March 31:  18th Annual Garnet E. Peck Symposium, Purdue Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, Stewart Center and Purdue Memorial Union. 1-1/2 day symposium to showcase advances in pharmaceutical manufacturing, with sessions focusing on biologics and small molecules. Presentations include the latest developments on excipients and continuous manufacturing, novel processing technologies as well as a poster session and 3-minute student thesis competition. Registration is now open:

 http://www.purdue.edu/conferences/Peck2023  . There is a $15 registration fee. See attached flyer.

 

Wed., Apr. 5:  Frontiers in Biophysics Seminar Series, 1:30 p.m. in MJIS 1001. Joe Howard, the Eugene Higgins Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, will present “Mechanical Stability of Microtubules.”

 

Thurs., May 25: Application Deadline for Trailblazers in Engineering workshop, to be held on the Purdue campus July 25-26. Trailblazers in Engineering (TBE) is a multi-day workshop focused on preparing future outstanding engineering scholars for future engineering faculty careers who are also committed to increase the success of underrepresented communities of engineers. Trailblazers in Engineering Fellows are selected not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements but also for their potential impact in expanding representation and diversity in engineering. See attached flyer for application instructions.

 

Committee Updates

 

Graduate Office Update

Spring 2023 BME Seminar Schedule (Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. in MJIS 1001). Full schedule below.

 

New Course for Fall 2023:  BME 69500 Pediatric Medical Devices (CRN 14011). Details below.

 

BMEGSA General Body Meetings – All BME graduate students are welcome, and encouraged to attend! Upcoming meetings:

Friday, March 31st 12:30PM-1:30PM

Thursday, April 20th 3:30PM-4:30PM 

All meetings are held in MJIS 2001 in person only.

 

Graduate Admissions Update

 

Fall 2022 (Fall 2023 Admit Term) BME Graduate Admissions

DateDATE

Activity

Mar 10

DUE: All Master’s students to be decisioned as either admit, deny or hold

Mar 31

Due: All PhD students to be decisioned as either admit, deny or hold

April 15

Graduate applicant acceptance deadline

 

Research Update

 

Participants needed for a Motor Function Study, “Development of a Diagnostic System for Assessment of Motor Impairment,” IRB# IRB-2022-1299. See below for details.

 

Resources and further information

 

BME Distinguished Seminar Series, Wed., March 8, 9:30 a.m., MJIS 1001 or via Zoom. Hubert H. Lim, PhD, Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Otolaryngology, Endowed Lions Professorship in Otolaryngology, Institute for Translational Neuroscience Scholar, Co-Director, Center for Neural Engineering, University of Minnesota will present “Non-invasive ultrasound stimulation of the spleen to treat inflammatory disorders: Animal studies to clinical trials for COVID-19 and rheumatoid arthritis.”

Abstract: Over the past decade, there has been immense excitement and research discoveries in using non-invasive ultrasound for treating a wide range of brain disorders, through neuromodulation, blood brain barrier opening for drug delivery and ablation techniques. Several of these approaches are already being evaluated in human patients with encouraging outcomes, especially in the ability to non-invasively access brain regions without requiring risky surgery. An emerging realm of ultrasound therapy that has gained momentum over the past few years is in applying low intensity ultrasound energy to end-organs, such as the spleen, to treat several inflammatory disorders, such as arthritis, sepsis, and acute kidney injury. Over the past 20 years, there has been growing evidence that electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve to spleen pathway modulates the immune response and reduces inflammation in the body, particularly suppressing cytokine responses and improving disease severity in sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease via the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP). After providing an overview of the opportunities and challenges of leveraging ultrasound energy for stimulating or modulating the nervous system, I will present several animal studies showing how ultrasound stimulation of the spleen can activate the CAP to drive anti-inflammatory effects throughout the body with the potential to treat various health disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, there has been recent developments in scalable, portable and low-cost solutions for non-invasive ultrasound devices by GE Research and SecondWave Systems that can be used on a large scale for treating various health disorders with splenic ultrasound stimulation, offering new clinical solutions that can potentially have less side effects than drugs or vagus nerve implantable devices.

Biography: Hubert Lim is a Professor in the Biomedical Engineering and Otolaryngology Departments at the University of Minnesota and was hired as an Institute for Translational Neuroscience Scholar. He is also the Endowed Lions Professor in Otolaryngology and Co-Director for the Center for Neural Engineering. He completed a B.S.E. in Bioengineering at UC-San Diego, followed by a dual Masters in Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science and then a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. At the University of Minnesota, his lab’s research focuses on neural engineering, neuromodulation technologies, sensory neuroscience, neural plasticity, neuro-immune physiology, and integrative health approaches with the aim of developing new stimulation treatments for hearing disorders, pain and inflammatory conditions in collaboration with multiple clinicians and companies. Dr. Lim has been awarded the Peter and Patricia Gruber International Research Award in Neuroscience from the Society for Neuroscience, the Institute for Engineering in Medicine Faculty Career Development Award, and the Institute for Engineering in Medicine Outstanding Service Award. Outside his academic activities, he is currently involved with two start-up companies, serving as the Chief Scientific Officer of Neuromod Devices (developing a tinnitus treatment device) and as the Chief Scientific Officer of SecondWave Systems (developing a wearable phased-array ultrasound device for various health conditions).

~ BME Host: Hugh Lee ~

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

Zoom link:  https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/98921394076?pwd=cDRVaTJOV0R1WEE1TEZzU3EzbDZRZz09&from=addon

 

Thurs., March 9:  Seminars in Hearing Research at Purdue (SHRP), 10:30 a.m., LYLE 1150 and via Zoom. Hubert H. Lim, Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Otolaryngology, Endowed Lions Professorship in Otolaryngology, Institute for Translational Neuroscience Scholar, Co-Director of the Center for Neural Engineering at the University of Minnesota will present “Treating Hearing Loss Through New Types of Invasive and Noninvasive Stimulation Technologies.”

Abstract:  Over the past decade, there have been rapid developments in novel neural technologies for treating a wide range of neurological and health disorders, catalyzed by the large increase in funding provided through NIH BRAIN Initiative, DARPA and other funding mechanisms. Invasive and noninvasive technologies have been pursued by multiple groups, in addition to different energy modalities including electrical, magnetic, optical and ultrasound stimulation. One major goal of my lab has been to treat hearing loss and enhance communication capabilities with new invasive and noninvasive stimulation technologies.

For hearing restoration, cochlear implants have enabled hundreds of thousands of deaf individuals to hear and better integrate into mainstream society. The cochlear implant is considered one of the most successful neural prostheses. However, there are deaf individuals who cannot sufficiently benefit from a cochlear implant, which requires implantation into the bony cochlea and electrical activation of the auditory nerve through the bony structure. One key bottleneck for greatly improving the performance of cochlear implants is associated with the limited number of frequency channels of information possible with cochlear implants, since the electrode sites are distant from the auditory nerve with current having to travel through a bony cochlear wall to reach the nerve (i.e., large current spread of neural activation). A major opportunity in this field is to implant electrode sites directly into the auditory nerve to achieve a higher density of channels of auditory information to the brain, in what is called the auditory nerve implant (ANI). Through a large collaborative NIH BRAIN Initiative grant, an ANI system is being developed that leverages the well-known Blackrock (Utah) electrode array technology connected with a MED-EL cochlear implant stimulator (Austria) for implantation in up to 3 to 5 deaf patients. In my talk, I will present on the ongoing efforts for translating the ANI to patients that spans device development, validation testing, animal studies, stimulation algorithm development, and regulatory processes to then initiate a clinical trial by 2025.

Looking beyond the horizon of implantable neural technologies, one exciting stimulation approach has begun to emerge for noninvasively modulating the brain and various sensory and motor neural pathways – ultrasound neuromodulation. Through an accidental discovery, my lab observed that ultrasound could not readily excite neurons in the brain (though neural suppression is possible) but instead caused activation of the auditory system through cerebrospinal fluid vibrations into the cochlea. This discovery has opened up opportunities for a new type of ultrasound-based hearing aid and audio technology. Initial results in animals, along with future opportunities for a new type of ultrasound based hearing technology will be presented.

Zoom link for remote attendees: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/4326340458 Meeting ID: 432 634 0458

The working schedule is available here: https://purdue.edu/TPAN/hearing/shrp_schedule
The titles and abstracts of the talks will be added here: https://purdue.edu/TPAN/hearing/shrp_abstracts

 

BME PhD Defense announcement for Nathaniel J. Smith, Fri., March 10,  7:45 a.m., MJIS 2001 and via Zoom. Title of presentation: “Quantitative Modeling of PET Images in the Diagnostic Assessment of Brain and Prostate Cancer.”

Advisory Committee: Gary D. Hutchins, Co-Chair; Craig J. Goergen, Co-Chair; Lauren Christopher; Sherry L. Harbin; Jason G. Parker

Abstract: Positron emission tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine imaging technique that supports the quantification of physiologic processes within the human body. PET radiotracers are developed with site-specific binding properties or as metabolic analogs, enabling specific tissue properties to be investigated with minimal disturbance to the underlying physiology. Clinically, the radiotracer standard uptake value is a semiquantitative metric that quantifies radiotracer accumulation over a single time interval. However, compartmental modeling of dynamic PET acquisitions provides additional insights into tissue perfusion, binding avidity, and intracellular tracer trapping. Dynamic PET image analysis techniques are first applied to 18F-fluoroethyltyrosine (FET) PET imaging of high-grade glioma and brain metastasis patients. Standard-of-care MRI is often equivocal for discriminating post-treatment imaging aberrations from disease progression. However, temporal 18F-FET efflux (tumor-to-brain ratio slope, intercept) was found to be a highly accurate (95%) metric for identifying cases of disease progression. In a second application, dynamic PET image analysis techniques are applied to 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET imaging for primary prostate cancer patients. In the presurgical planning for prostatectomy, nerve-sparing or nerve-excising surgery is elected based on the dual consideration of metastatic cancer risks and surgically-induced side effects. Even with advanced multiparametric MRI techniques, prostate cancer is often not effectively localized, resulting in over- or under-treatment. Dynamic 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET semiquantitative and kinetic parameters improve the localization of prostate cancer, reducing the prevalence of poor surgical outcomes. Overall, the application of dynamic PET imaging techniques supports improved clinical outcomes and enhanced clinician confidence for treatment modifications. 

Zoom link: https://iu.zoom.us/j/83716868886

 

BME PhD Defense Announcement for Rashed Almousa (D. Xie and K. Park, Co-Chairs), Tues., March 21, 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. Title of presentation:  “Surface Modification of PVC/PU for Enhanced Biofouling Resistance.”

Thesis Committee members: Prof. Dong Xie (Co-Chair), Prof. Kinam Park (Co-Chair), Prof. Jiliang Li, Prof. Sungsoo Na

Abstract: Medical devices are at risk of biofouling within seconds after implantation, which can lead to thrombus formation and bacterial contamination. These issues can negatively impact the performance and reliability of the device. Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and polyurethane (PU) are popular synthetic polymers used in biomedical applications, but their hydrophobic nature makes them susceptible to biofouling. To improve their biocompatibility, their surfaces must be modified to be antifouling. However, achieving a thoroughly coated surface through homogeneous activation and effective modification with antifouling polymers remains a challenge, despite recent advancements in polymer surface modification. In this dissertation, we modified the surfaces of medical-grade PVC and PU using hydrophilic and biocompatible polymer brushes via wet chemistry approaches in an aqueous medium. Specifically, we activated the PVC surface with amino groups and then modified it with either modified or synthesized hydrophilic polymers end-capped with reactive groups. Additionally, we coupled a functionalized surface initiator to the activated PVC surface to allow the grafting of different hydrophilic polymers via conventional in situ free-radical polymerization. We followed a similar process to activate the PU surface with amino groups and then coupled a co-initiator derivative to allow the grafting of different hydrophilic polymers via conventional in situ free radical polymerization as a redox initiation system. All the modified surfaces of PVC and PU have exhibited a significant increase in wettability, as well as extremely effective antifouling effects against cell and bacterial adhesion. Overall, the findings of this work demonstrate the applicability of wet chemistry surface modification for PVC- or PU-based medical devices and supplies in biofouling-resistant applications. 

Zoom Link:  https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/99594936275

 

Special BME Seminar, Mon., March 27, 9:30 a.m., MJIS 2001. Joseph R. Leach, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Residence, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering at the University of California, San Francisco, will present “Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Assessment – Moving Beyond Measurement.”

Abstract: Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) have a pooled global prevalence of 4.8% and are most common in men 65 years or older. Small AAAs (<4 cm) are commonly asymptomatic and pose little danger, while larger AAAs have a significant risk of fatal rupture that increases with increasing aneurysm diameter. Despite decades of research elucidating the histologic and biochemical features of AAA evolution, clinicians have relatively little capacity to predict or modify AAA progression in practice - we are lacking an understanding of AAA progression on a patient-specific basis, informed by factors readily assessed during periodic imaging-based surveillance. In his talk, Dr Leach will review the current state-of-the-art in clinical AAA evaluation, and present ongoing research on a comprehensive AAA assessment in which aneurysm measurement is augmented by advanced imaging-based measures of aneurysm inflammation, biomechanics, and higher-order morphologic features. 

Bio: Joseph R Leach, MD PhD is an Assistant Professor in Residence in the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Leach obtained his PhD in Bioengineering in 2009 from University of California –Berkeley, and completed medical school, residency, and a fellowship in abdominal imaging at UCSF prior to joining the faculty in 2018. Dr. Leach has broad clinical and research interests in vascular disease and applies advanced imaging techniques and imaging-based biomechanical modeling to better understand factors influencing disease initiation, progression, and patient outcomes. Outside of the hospital, Dr. Leach enjoys cooking for his wife, Joyce and their cats Jacks and Nigel, and is a lifelong musician and terrible dancer.

~BME Host: Vitaliy Rayz~

 

Frontiers in Biophysics Seminar Series, Wed., Apr. 5,  1:30 p.m. in MJIS 1001. Joe Howard, the Eugene Higgins Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, will present “Mechanical Stability of Microtubules.” Microtubules are rigid polymers of tubulin that give structure to cells and serve as tracks for molecular motors. Until recently, the growth and shrinkage of microtubules was thought to be confined to their ends. Over the last few years, however, evidence has emerged that exchange of tubulin in and out of microtubules can take place within the lattice and not just at the ends. I will present our recent work on the microtubule severing protein spastin on microtubule dynamics as well as measurements of the forces necessary to remove tubulin from the lattice. This seminar is sponsored by the Molecular Biophysics Training Program (MBTP), Structural and Computational Biology and Biophysics (SCBB) and the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering.

 

Participants Needed for Research Study:

(Aditya Shanghavi is a graduate student in Biomedical Engineering at Purdue.)

I am currently working on a research project under the direction of my advisor, Dr Anne Sereno. We are inviting you to participate in a brief arm movement study. We are specifically looking for participants aged 45-85 with no history of neurological diseases who are fluent in English and have adequate hearing (with or without amplification) to process verbal instruction and adequate vision to see the computer screen. Participants should be able to perform simple upper arm motions without experiencing major pain or discomfort. We will use non-invasive motion sensors on a wristband to collect arm motion signals during normal and simulated abnormal movements (after viewing short videos) as well as an eye tracker to collect eye motion signals during a prosaccade-antisaccade task.  This study's goal is to develop algorithms to detect latencies and amplitudes of movements and to quantify the sensitivity, reliability, and accuracy of the sensors and these algorithms to differentiate normal versus simulated abnormal movements.  The study should take no more than 60 minutes and it will be conducted in PSYCH 3125. We will highly appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule and will compensate you $15 for your help in our research study in addition to our heartfelt gratitude. This study is conducted in accordance with IRB # IRB-2022-1299.

If you have more questions regarding this study, please contact Aditya Shanghavi at ashangha@purdue.edu.  

 

New Course for Fall 2023:  BME 69500 Pediatric Medical Devices (CRN 14011).

Fall 2023, 3.0 credit hours

Wednesdays 11:30-2:20 in MJIS 1083 (in person attendance only)

Prerequisite: BME Graduate Standing

Course Description: The unique medical needs of pediatric patients in the context of current and emerging clinical technologies are presented in this novel course. Anatomical, physiological, and pathophysiological underpinnings of diseases in infants and children are studied. Unique aspects of pediatric device design, regulation, and translation, including clinical studies and ethical considerations, are explored. Numerous clinical sub specialties such as cardiology, surgery, nephrology, pulmonology, and gastroenterology are examined in terms of technology adoption and remaining clinical needs. Future directions in device development and emerging trends in patient care are considered throughout.

Weekly Course Topics:

August 23            Pediatrics Introduction

August 30            Neonatology Introduction

September 6      Pediatric Device Design and Development I

September 13    Pediatric Device Design and Development II

September 20    Pediatric Device Regulation

September 27    Pediatric Clinical Studies

October 4            Pediatric Cardiology

October 18          Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery

October 25          Pediatric Nephrology

November 1       Pediatric Pulmonology

November 8       Pediatric Wound Healing

November 15     Pediatric Gastroenterology

November 29     Ethical Considerations in Pediatrics

December 6        Future Directions and Trends

Primary Instructor: George Wodicka, MJIS 3036, wodicka@purdue.edu

Numerous experts from the Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, Riley Hospital for Children, and Cook Medical, Inc. will actively participate.

 

Spring 2023 BME Seminar Schedule (Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. in MJIS 1001)

 

Week

 

Date

Speaker

Host

 

Week 9

3/8/2023

Dr. Hubert Lim

Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Otolaryngology, Institute for Translational Neuroscience Scholar, University of Minnesota

Dr. Hugh Lee

Week 10

3/22/2023

Dr. Daniel DiLorenzo, Assistant Professor, Neurosurgery and Biomedical Sciences, Loma Linda University; Attending Neurosurgeon, Loma Linda VA Medical Center; President Barinetics Corporation

Dr. Matthew Ward

Week 11

3/29/2023

Dr. Nimmi Ramanujam

Robert W. Carr Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Pharmacology and Cell Biology, Director of The Center for Global Women's Health Technologies, Duke University

Dr. Jackie Linnes

Week 12

4/5/2023

Dr. Junhong Chen

Crown Family Professor of Molecular Engineering and Lead Water Strategist at Argonne National Laboratory

Dr. Chi Hwan Lee

Week 13

4/12/2023

Dr. Chien-Chi Lin

Thomas J. Linnemeier Guidant Foundation Endowed Chair & Professor of BME at IUPUI

Dr. Young Kim

Week 14

4/19/2023

Dr. Rachel Surowiec

Assistant Professor of BME at IUPUI

Dr. Young Kim

Week 15

4/26/2023

Dr. James Moon

J. G. Searle Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences Professor, Biomedical Engineering at Michigan

Dr. Chi Hwan Lee

The titles and abstracts of the talks will be added here: https://purdue.edu/TPAN/hearing/shrp_abstracts

 

 

Attachments

Peck_flyer

Trailblazers-in-Engineering