BME WEEKLY ROUNDTABLE

April 15, 2024

INTERIM HEAD’S NOTE

The semester is coming to an end. Good luck on finishing it. Please closely monitor the mental health of graduate students in your lab, your class, and undergraduate students in your classes as we all go through the final stressful stretch of the semester.

• If you get some time today, please stop by the BMEGSA Research Symposium. I want to give a special shout-out to the graduate student organizers. For more information, please go to a later section in this email.
• You all (BME core faculty and staff) should have received a cordial invitation of the Purdue BME mini-retreat. After careful thinking, I think what we want at this point is a big Happy Hour party, which helps end this challenging academic year on a happy note. I still suggest we have a bit “educational activities” while enjoying each other’s company with some relaxing time. So the theme will be learning about the School and each other. We are finalizing the details (e.g., location). Your suggestions are welcome.
• The working group on teaching will have one more meeting this Friday. As I transition out being the Head, I see the functionality of this working group is more about information gathering on, e.g., teaching assignment, which is the original focus. The information shall include both subjective and objective information.
• We (Aaron, Tammy, Rhonda and I) have our first feedback meeting with International Study, this UK-based company that is contracted by us to help market our Professional Master’s Program. We got the chance to look at the initial marketing analytics results (e.g., campaign reach, social post reads, ad impressions, ad clicks, and social buzz) and the further demographic breakdowns. The numbers look strong. A lot of interest from India and a lot of interest from the female students. As an immediate next step, the company in consultation with us will start devising a more targeted marketing strategy.

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES

Week of April 15

Mon., April 15: BME Master's Defense Announcement for Scott Malloy (V. Rayz, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 2:30PM EST in MRGN 121 and via Zoom. Title: Predictive Modeling of Mechanical Platelet Activation in Fibromuscular Dysplasia

Mon., April 15: BME Master's Defense Announcement for Siting Zhang (L. Solorio, advisor). Everyone is welcome to attend the public presentation beginning at 11:30am in DLR 131 and via Zoom. Title: A Thermally Responsive Osmotic Pump Drug Delivery System for in-vivo Targeting for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Mon., April 15:  Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases Enrichment Seminar Series, 12:00 p.m., R4-101 (Indianapolis) and via Zoom. Maureen Gannon, PhD, Associate Dean for Faculty Development, Professor of Medicine, Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, and Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine will present “Modulating prostaglandin E2 signaling to enhance functional beta cell mass.” Zoom link: https://iu.zoom.us/j/87501979533#success  This seminar series is hosted by the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases.

Tues., April 16: BME PhD Defense Announcement for Karl Ferdinand Ziegler (Srividya Iyer-Biswas and Young Kim, co-advisors). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 10:30 AM in PHYS G72. Thesis Title: Precision technologies for long-term imaging of stochastic organismal dynamics

Tues., April 16: BME-IBSC PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Brenna Vaughn (L. Solorio, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 3:30 PM in MJIS 2001. Title: Transglutaminase-2 Enables Cluster-Mediated Resistance in HER2-Overexpressing Breast Cancer Cells.

Tues., April 16:  BME Master's Defense Announcement for June Hyung Kim (T. Kim, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 12:30 PM in MJIS 2001. Title: Probing the roles of actin dynamics in the cytoskeleton of animal and plant cells.

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.”

Wed., April 17:  BME Bytes Series, 10:00 a.m., MJIS 1083. Jee Hyun Park (Brubaker Lab) will speak on “Characterizing the Roles of Sleep and Apolipoprotein E Epsilon 4 Allele in lzheimer’s Disease.” About BME Bytes: BME Bytes is designed to help introduce undergraduate Purdue students to the breakthrough research happening at the Weldon School as well as help graduate students develop their professional portfolio by giving invited talks. BME Bytes is sponsored by BMEGSA - the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student Association.

Wed., April 17: National NIH K12 DiabDocs Career Development Session, 3:00 pm (ET), via Zoom. Sherita Golden, MD, MHS, Hugh P. McCormick Family Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins Medicine will speak on “Approaching Health Equity with a Research Lens.”

Wed., April 17:  Purdue Engineering Frontier Lecture Series, 3:00 p.m., ARMS Atrium.  Brian D.O. Anderson, Emeritus Professor, College of Engineering and Computer Science, The Australian National University, will speak on “Applications Delivered by Control Theory.” Hosted by the College of Engineering and the Institute for Control, Optimization and Networks. Register here: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2tUSjC43sqkKODs?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PEFLS%20-%20Brian%20D.O.%20Anderson%20-%20Apr%2017%2C%202024&utm_id=46049361

Wed., April 17:  Seminar for Neurotrauma and Diseases, 4:00 p.m., DLR 131 (Indianapolis) and via Zoom. David Stockwell, MD, FAANS, Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery, Medical Director, Spine Surgery, IU Health Medical Center; Methodist Neurosurgery Section Chief will speak on “Clinical Management of Spinal Trauma and Spinal Cord Injury.”

Thurs., Apr. 18: BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Jee Hyun Park (D. Brubaker, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 10:00 AM in MJIS 2001. Research Title: Characterizing the Roles of Sleep and Apolipoprotein E Epsilon 4 Allele in Alzheimer’s Disease

Fri., Apr. 19:  BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Agnes Doszpoly (T. Kinzer-Ursem, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 10:00am in ABE 1164 and via Zoom. Title: Comparative Analysis of Ca²⁺- dependent CaMKII/Tiam1 Interactions with Actin in Dendritic Spines and Mammalian Eggs

Sat., April 20:  WHEEL RIISE 2024, 1-3 p.m., Holloway Gymnasium. Join us in celebrating adaptive sports and Paralympic excellence. Free event with USOPC Chief of Paralympics, Julie Dussliere. Sponsored by Purdue College of Engineering, BraunAbility, The Gregory S. Fehribach Center at Eskenazi Health, and SOGA.

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

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.

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. 

The schedule of events for the day includes:

9:00-9:30 am                      Check-in and breakfast provided

9:30-9:45 am                      Opening Remarks (Prof. Nan Kong, Interim Head of BME

9:45-10:45 am                   Keynote Speaker (Helen H. Lu, PhD, Columbia University)

1:45-11:15 am                   Research Hub (Tyler Diorio, PhD)

11:15-12:30 pm                Setup and Poster Session

12:30-1:15 pm                   Lunch Break (catered lunch provided

1:15-3:30 pm                     Oral Presentations (break halfway)

3:30-4:00 pm                     Networking Reception

4:00-4:30 pm                     Awards Ceremony & Closing Remarks

(Keynote Speaker) Helen H. Lu, Percy K. and Vida L.W. Hudson Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Professor of Dental and Craniofacial Engineering (in Dental Medicine), Senior Vice Dean of Faculty Affairs and Advancement, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University

Dr. Helen Lu's  research focuses on Orthopaedic Interface Tissue Engineering and the formation of complex tissue systems, with the goal of achieving integrative and functional repair of soft tissue injuries.  Additionally, her research group is active in the design of novel biomaterials for orthopedic and dental applications.  Her group has published extensively in biomaterials and tissue engineering, cell-material interactions as well as smart material design.  Lu is the inventor and co-inventor of more than a dozen patents and applications, and she has served on the editorial board of leading journals of the fields, including Tissue Engineering, Regenerative Engineering, Journal of Biomedical Material Research A, Journal of Orthopaedic Research, and is currently an associated editor for IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.   Her research has been supported by the Whitaker Foundation, the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation, the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, the New York State Stem Cell Initiative, the National Football League (NFL) Charities, the Department of Defense and the National Institutes of Health. Lu’s research has also been recognized with many awards, including the Early Faculty Career Awards in Translational Research (Phase I and Phase II) from the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation and the Young Investigator Award from the Society for Biomaterials.  She was honored with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) at the White House in 2010, and was elected as a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) in 2011.  Lu received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania, and is currently the Professor of Biomedical Engineering and the Director of the Biomaterials and Interface Tissue Engineering Laboratory at Columbia University.  She also received tenure at the Columbia College of Dental Medicine, and serves as a Provost Leadership Fellow at Columbia.  

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

Wed., April 24: PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Rachel Stingel (R. Shi, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 9:00 AM EDT in MJIS 2001 and via Zoom. Title: Acrolein-mediated excitotoxicity following spinal cord injury

Wed., April 24: BME Distinguished Research Seminar Series, 9:30 a.m., MRGN 121 and via Zoom. Stacey D. Finley, PhD, Nichold A. and Thuan Q. Pham Professor, University of Southern California will present “Exploring the tumor ecosystem: Modeling across scales.”

Thurs., April 25:  Seminars in Hearing Research, 12:00 p.m., Nelson Hall Room 1215.  Elle O’Brien, PhD, University of Michigan, will present “How will generative AI change scientific software?”

Mon., April 29: BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Thejas Vishnu Ramesh (J. Rispoli and V. Rayz, advisors). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 2:00 PM in MJIS 2001 and via Zoom. Research title: Conductive fabric based wearable coil for cervical spine and carotid arteries MRI at 3T.

Tues., April 30:  Neil Armstrong Distinguished Visiting Professors, 3:00 p.m., WALC 1018. Dr. Ronald Latanision, Sennior Fellow, Exponent, Inc. and Neail Armstrong Distinguished Visiting Professor, School of Industrial Engineering, will present “The Evolution of the Materials Genome Initiative.” There will be a reception following the seminar, from 4:00-4:30 p.m. More information at https://engineering.purdue.edu/NADVP?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NADVP%20-%20Ronald%20Latanision%20-%20April%202024&utm_id=46055515

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., April 15: BME Master's Defense Announcement for Scott Malloy (V. Rayz, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 2:30PM EST in MRGN 121 and via Zoom. Title: Predictive Modeling of Mechanical Platelet Activation in Fibromuscular Dysplasia.

Committee: Dr. Vitaliy Rayz (Chair), Dr. Scott Cameron, Dr. Craig Goergen

Abstract: Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) is a non-inflammatory, non-atherosclerotic blood vessel disorder characterized by a series of narrowed and dilated regions of vasculature. These patients are prescribed blood thinners or anti-platelet therapeutics as treatment to this systemic disease. Current image-based diagnostic methods cannot reliably predict a patient’s risk of stroke in order to properly manage medication. There are also challenges in distinguishing FMD from other diseases that can cause arterial obstructions, e.g., atherosclerosis or vasculitis. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop a methodology for evaluating the risk of mechanical platelet activation based on medical imaging. Our hypothesis is that subject-specific assessment of platelet activation due to hemodynamic stress can improve risk stratification of FMD patients. The aims of the projects were therefore to 1) Develop a CFD-based methodology for estimating platelet activation state, and 2) Test this methodology on a small cohort of subjects with FMD, carotid artery stenosis, and healthy controls. A modeling workflow was developed, combining Eulerian and Lagrangian approaches to compute flow fields and evaluate shear stress history of particles advected through the vascular geometries. From this stress history, predictive estimates of mechanical platelet activation can be calculated utilizing a platelet activation state (PAS) metric. We applied this modeling workflow to assess platelet activation in segments of carotid arteries of patients with Fibromuscular Dysplasia, Carotid Artery Stenosis, and healthy controls for comparison against experiments performed at the Cleveland Clinic assessing mechanical platelet activation in patients with each of these conditions. This work supports the development of a patient-specific determination of these same metrics, in order to more precisely assess patient risk of stroke.

Zoom link: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/93127263250?pwd=WFg3MzI1eEhMaG1hUk16aEkrYUN1QT09

Meeting ID: 931 2726 3250
Passcode: 492627

Mon., April 15: BME Master's Defense Announcement for Siting Zhang (L. Solorio, advisor). Everyone is welcome to attend the public presentation beginning at 11:30am in DLR 131 and via Zoom. Title: A Thermally Responsive Osmotic Pump Drug Delivery System for in-vivo Targeting for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Committee: Luis Solorio, PhD (Chair), Craig J. Goergen, PhD, David J. Cappelleri, PhD

Abstract: Approximately 2.39 million Americans suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an autoimmune disorder that is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Current treatment options for IBD, which are limited, include oral medications, surgery, and supportive care. These therapeutics often times are not effective and are associated with high toxicity. Thus, there is a pressing clinical need for a therapy that can be delivered both locally and precisely, while also having an improvement in efficacy and lower toxicity.

This study introduces three novel microrobot designs fabricated using stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing, which aims to address the challenges seen in IBD treatment. The microrobots utilize a reservoir design to encapsulate the drug for an on-demand release, allowing for improved control and precision. The SLA microrobots were evaluated for cytotoxicity as well as drug release capabilities in a multitude of variabilities. While the microrobots exhibited acute toxicity at 24 hours, they demonstrated much higher cell viability in 48 hours. Initial, proof-of-concept drug release experiments using blue food dye and paraffin wax that melted at 70 °C demonstrated varying release profiles for the different microrobot designs, with no statistical difference between all three designs. Finally, a thermally sensitive wax cap was introduced where mineral oil was combined with the paraffin wax to control the drug release, demonstrating its potential for on-demand, localized delivery, where promising results show statistically significant results in two out of the three microrobot designs.

The results in this study are a progression for future research in developing targeted and effective drug delivery systems for IBD treatment using microrobot-based systems. Future work includes the optimization of materials and methodology, along with in vivo studies, to further improve the progression of osmotic pump microrobots for drug delivery. The integration of microrobots in IBD therapy has the capability to significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life, offering a more efficient and less toxic treatment approach.

Zoom link: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/92132903950

Tues., April 16: BME PhD Defense Announcement for Karl Ferdinand Ziegler (Srividya Iyer-Biswas and Young Kim, co-advisors). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 10:30 AM in PHYS G72. Thesis Title: Precision technologies for long-term imaging of stochastic organismal dynamics

Committee: Srividya Iyer-Biswas (CO-CHAIR) [PHYS], Young Kim (CO-CHAIR) [BMEP], Arezoo M. Ardekani [MECH], Dana Weinstein [ECEN], Rudro R. Biswas [PHYS]

Abstract: The goal of this dissertation is to develop precision technologies to facilitate establishing, in the context of stochastic organismal dynamics, organizational principles that govern basic regulatory processes in living systems. We focus on biological timekeeping, the interplay of biological lengths and timescales, and strategies governing the control of rapid vs. precise adaptation to changing conditions—all phenomena supporting complex phenotypes. In particular, individual cells of unicellular organisms respond with remarkable precision and plasticity in their growth and division to changes in their noisy environments. Cells rely on scalable timekeepers and quantitative tradeoffs to accomplish this precision. In this dissertation we will address longstanding open questions in cell biology, such as: How does an individual cell maintain size homeostasis across multigenerational dynamics, as it repeatedly grows and divides? How does an organism adapt its growth rate to reflect changing environmental conditions? The development of understanding of systems-level organizational principles in a controlled experimental system in turn advances our general ability to predict and control stochastic organismal dynamics, and thus develop functional synthetic adaptive systems.

Tues., April 16: BME-IBSC PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Brenna Vaughn (L. Solorio, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 3:30 PM in MJIS 2001. Title: Transglutaminase-2 Enables Cluster-Mediated Resistance in HER2-Overexpressing Breast Cancer Cells.

Committee: Luis Solorio, Chair; Leopold N. Green; Sherry L. Harbin; Michael K. Wendt

Abstract: Breast cancer has killed more than 18 in 100,000 women per year in the United Sates for the past 20 years. Approximately 20-25% of newly diagnosed tumors are human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2)-positive. HER2-positive tumors carry an increased risk of metastasis in which the disease spreads to other parts of the body. Early or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer can be treated with the antibody-drug conjugate ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1). However, resistance to T-DM1 and disease progression is common. In some metastatic lesions, Transglutaminase 2 (TG2), an enzyme that catalyzes crosslinking reactions, is upregulated. We demonstrate the ability of HER2-transformed human mammary epithelial cells (HME2) overexpressing TG2 to gain resistance to T-DM1 in vitro. We additionally show that T-DM1 preserves an epithelial cell population with accelerated growth on fibronectin coated coverslips. Furthermore, we demonstrate a cluster size-based pattern of therapeutic resistance. We utilize mouse models of lung metastases and mammary tumors to generate models of resistance alongside in vitro applications. This work demonstrates the ability of HER2- transformed human mammary epithelial cell clusters to form T-DM1 surviving proliferative epithelial cell populations.

Tues., April 16:  BME Master's Defense Announcement for June Hyung Kim (T. Kim, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 12:30 PM in MJIS 2001. Title: Probing the roles of actin dynamics in the cytoskeleton of animal and plant cells.

Committee: Taeyoon Kim, Chair; Chris J. Staiger; Daniel M. Suter
Abstract: The actin cytoskeleton is a dynamic structure that regulates various important cellular processes, such as cell protrusion, migration, transport, and cell shape changes. Cells employ different actin architectures best suited for each of these functions. We have employed an agent-based model to illuminate how the actin cytoskeleton plays such functions in animal and plant cells, via dynamic interactions between molecular players. 
Lamellipodia found in animal cells are two-dimensional actin protrusion formed on the leading edge of cells, playing an important role in sensing surrounding mechanical environments via focal adhesions. Various molecular players, architecture, and dynamics of the lamellipodia have been investigated extensively during recent decades. Nevertheless, it still remains elusive how each component in the lamellipodia mechanically interacts with each other to attain a stable, dynamic steady state characterized by a retrograde flow emerging in the branched actin network. Using the agent-based model, we investigated how the balance between different subcellular processes is achieved for the dynamic steady state. We simulated a branched network found in the lamellipodia, consisting of actin filament (F-actin), myosin motor, Arp2/3 complex, and actin crosslinking protein. We found the importance of a balance between F-actin assembly at the leading edge of cells and F-actin disassembly at the rear end of the lamellipodia. We also found that F-actin severing is crucial to allow for the proper disassembly of an actin bundle formed via network contraction induced by motor activity. In addition, it was found that various dynamic steady states can exist. The actin cytoskeleton in plant cells plays a crucial role in cellular transport and cytoplasmic streaming, and its structure is very different from actin cytoskeleton in animal cells. The plant actin cytoskeleton is known to show distinct dynamic behaviors with homeostasis. We used the agent-based model to simulate the plant actin cytoskeleton with the consideration of the key governing mechanisms, including F-actin polymerization/depolymerization, different types of F-actin nucleation events, severing, and capping. We succeeded in reproducing experimental observations in terms of F-actin density, length, nucleation frequency, and rates of severing, polymerization, and depolymerization. We found that the removal of nucleators results in lower F-actin density in the network, which supports recent experimental findings. 

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.”

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.

Wed., April 17:  BME Bytes Series, 10:00 a.m., MJIS 1083. Jee Hyun Park (Brubaker Lab) will speak on “Characterizing the Roles of Sleep and Apolipoprotein E Epsilon 4 Allele in lzheimer’s Disease.” Abstract: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that impedes cognitive function. The primary features of AD are amyloid beta and tau depositions. Another distinctive characteristic of AD is lipid droplets in glial cells. For late-onset AD, apolipoprotein (APOE) e4 prompts elevated risk. Similarly, sleep loss is another risk factor that impacts the progression of the disease. However, the potential relationship between APOE4 and sleep deprivation is not fully understood. Researchers have demonstrated that higher expression of orexin leads to elevated wakefulness. Parallel to increased orexin levels, amyloid beta levels have been shown to rise. Also, APOE4 promotes AD hallmark accumulation and lipid droplet formation in glial cells, leading to detrimental inflammation. Thus, we hypothesize that APOE4 and sleep loss further inflict damage to progress AD through metabolic dysfunction of glial cells. To explore our hypothesis, we will examine transcriptomic data of each glial cell type of AD APOE4 and APOE3 carrying humans and discover metabolic pathways disrupted and characteristic of disease shared with the orexin network. In addition, we will investigate metabolomics and transcriptomics of aged APOE4 and APOE3 mice brain samples for dysregulated metabolite and gene expression levels. We will pair transcriptomics data of mice with the different APOE isoforms with transcriptomics of sleep-deprived mice to observe aligned pathways that could be targets for an orexin inhibitor. Our study will determine metabolic impairment as a connection between sleep deprivation and APOE4 and explore orexin antagonists as a potential treatment for reducing AD progression.

About BME Bytes: BME Bytes is designed to help introduce undergraduate Purdue students to the breakthrough research happening at the Weldon School as well as help graduate students develop their professional portfolio by giving invited talks. BME Bytes is sponsored by BMEGSA - the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student Association.

Wed., April 17: National NIH K12 DiabDocs Career Development Session, 3:00 pm (ET), via Zoom. Sherita Golden, MD, MHS, Hugh P. McCormick Family Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins Medicine will speak on “Approaching Health Equity with a Research Lens.” Please join us for monthly presentations from world-renowned experts via Zoom. (*Note: This session will not be recorded. If you are interested in attending, please join the live session.*) Brief Bio for Speaker:

Dr. Sherita Hill Golden is the Hugh P. McCormick Family Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She holds joint appointments in the Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research, in the Department of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and in the Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality. An internationally recognized physician-scientist and elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, Association of American Physicians, and American Society of Clinical Investigation, Dr. Golden’s research has used the tools of epidemiology and health services research to identify biological and systems contributors to disparities in type 2 diabetes and its outcomes. She served as Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM) from 2019-2024, where she oversaw diversity, inclusion, and health equity strategy and operations for the School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Health System. During her tenure she has executed implementation of Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Standards; staff training for accurate collection of self-identified patient demographic data; system-wide policies prohibiting patient discrimination and discriminatory aggression toward employees and trainees and allowing the use of chosen names on ID badges; system-wide in-person and online unconscious bias and anti-oppression education programs; and a system-wide Disability and Accessibility Workgroup. In partnership with JHM Human Resources she helped launched the Levi Watkins, Jr. Mentorship Program, which is designed as part of the JHM’s talent management strategy focused on identifying and developing high potential leaders from underrepresented groups. During COVID-19 she facilitated mobile community testing and education for the marginalized in Baltimore City and equitable vaccine distribution to non-clinical, minoritized frontline staff across JHM. Dr. Golden is a leader in the national discussion advancing health equity, including supporting Maryland legislators in drafting and testifying in support of state-level health equity policy.

Program funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health under award number K12DK133995. Additional support provided by Stanford University, Indiana University, and a grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to Stanford University.

Register here:  https://stanford.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEuf-6tpz8rGtOJU03VpXQQ3ntamx9SXgy4#/registration

Wed., April 17: Seminar for Neurotrauma and Diseases, 4:00 p.m., DLR 131 (Indianapolis) and via Zoom. David Stockwell, MD, FAANS, Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery, Medical Director, Spine Surgery, IU Health Medical Center; Methodist Neurosurgery Section Chief will speak on “Clinical Management of Spinal Trauma and Spinal Cord Injury.”

Abstract: This presentation will provide an overview of the clinical management of patients who have sustained spine trauma and spinal cord injury. A brief overview of the epidemiology of spinal trauma and spinal cord injury will provide the background of current incidence and impact on society of these problems. A summary of how injuries to the spinal column are classified and managed clinically will be provided. This will include a discussion of both operative interventions and medical management techniques. Severe spinal trauma can result in damage to the spinal cord affecting neurotransmission and neurologic function. This consequence can be truly devastating. How these injuries are classified will be reviewed. We will discuss the pathophysiology of the damage that occurs to the spinal cord. This will include a timeline of the various mechanisms in the damage cascade and a discussion on potential interventional options. Clinical cases will be included to guide the discussion throughout.

Bio: David W. Stockwell, MD, FAANS, is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He has been a member of the department of Neurological Surgery since 2016. His area of clinical expertise is management of complex spine issues. He completed his medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine. After medical school he trained at the University of Vermont for his Neurosurgical Residency and then completed a complex spine fellowship at the University of Texas-Houston. Currently, he serves as the Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs for the Department of Neurological Surgery at IU, Methodist Hospital Section Chief for Neurological Surgery and Medical Director for Surgical Spine. His current clinical areas of expertise include spinal deformity surgery, spinal trauma, and degenerative spinal conditions. His research interests include spinal biomechanics, clinical outcomes of spinal surgery, spinal trauma, and bone growth pathway for spinal fusion.

Zoom link: http://bit.ly/42hhhJG (Meeting ID: 923 5486 2062, Passcode: CPR)

This seminar is sponsored by the Purdue University Center for Paralysis Research.

Thurs., Apr. 18: BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Jee Hyun Park (D. Brubaker, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 10:00 AM in MJIS 2001. Research Title: Characterizing the Roles of Sleep and Apolipoprotein E Epsilon 4 Allele in Alzheimer’s Disease

Thesis Committee Members: Douglas Brubaker, Ph.D. (Chair), Deva Chan, Ph.D., Yunjie Tong, Ph.D., Tzu-Wen Cross, Ph.D.

Abstract: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that impedes cognitive function. The primary features of AD are amyloid beta and tau depositions. Another distinctive characteristic of AD is lipid droplets in glial cells. For late-onset AD, apolipoprotein (APOE) e4 prompts elevated risk. Similarly, sleep loss is another risk factor that impacts the progression of the disease. However, the potential relationship between APOE4 and sleep deprivation is not fully understood. Researchers have demonstrated that higher expression of orexin leads to elevated wakefulness. Parallel to increased orexin levels, amyloid beta levels have been shown to rise. Also, APOE4 promotes AD hallmark accumulation and lipid droplet formation in glial cells, leading to detrimental inflammation. Thus, we hypothesize that APOE4 and sleep loss further inflict damage to progress AD through metabolic dysfunction of glial cells. To explore our hypothesis, we will examine transcriptomic data of each glial cell type of AD APOE4 and APOE3 carrying humans and discover metabolic pathways disrupted and characteristic of disease shared with the orexin network. In addition, we will investigate metabolomics and transcriptomics of aged APOE4 and APOE3 mice brain samples for dysregulated metabolite and gene expression levels. We will pair transcriptomics data of mice with the different APOE isoforms with transcriptomics of sleep-deprived mice to observe aligned pathways that could be targets for an orexin inhibitor. Our study will determine metabolic impairment as a connection between sleep deprivation and APOE4 and explore orexin antagonists as a potential treatment for reducing AD progression.

Fri., Apr. 19:  BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Agnes Doszpoly (T. Kinzer-Ursem, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 10:00am in ABE 1164 and via Zoom. Title: Comparative Analysis of Ca²⁺- dependent CaMKII/Tiam1 Interactions with Actin in Dendritic Spines and Mammalian Eggs

Committee: Tamara L. Kinzer-Ursem, PhD (Chair), Janice Evans, PhD, Deva Chan, PhD, Karin Ejendal, PhD

Abstract: Calcium (Ca²⁺) signaling is a fundamental element of cellular life, being involved in key intracellular signaling pathways that are known for maintaining homeostasis.  It plays crucial roles in numerous cellular processes, including muscle contraction, neurotransmitter release, cell growth and differentiation. Despite the vast diversity of life forms, many key components of these pathways are highly conserved throughout evolution, including actin cytoskeletal remodeling.  Here, we investigate two systems in which Ca²⁺ signaling plays a critical role in developmental biology: (1) hippocampal dendritic spines, where spine morphology dynamics underlie the establishment of synaptic plasticity (SP) and (2) mammalian oocytes, where Ca²⁺- signaling plays a critical role in the egg-to-embryo transition, a developmental event known as “egg activation”.  In both systems, a key Ca²⁺-binding protein is Ca²⁺/CaM-dependent kinase II (CaMKII), a protein directly involved with cytoskeletal actin dynamics.  Through these properties, CaMKII indirectly regulates actin by phosphorylating T-cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1 (Tiam1), a Rac1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF).  In neurons, this signaling pathway has been studied to a certain extent; however, in the context of Ca²⁺- dependent spatial and temporal dynamics, little is known about the CaMKII/Tiam1 complex in dendritic spines and how their relative locations affect actin remodeling.  In mammalian eggs, CaMKII drives various egg activation events; however, the CaMKII/Tiam1 complex hasn’t been studied yet in this system, yet alone discovered whether or not this complex even exists or has actin remodeling capabilities.  The work proposed here aims to perform a comparative analysis in both biological systems of the CaMKII/Tiam1 Ca²⁺- dependent actin remodeling pathway and test the hypothesis that Ca²⁺ -dependent CaMKII/Tiam1 signaling increases structural actin remodeling in dendritic spines and fertilized mammalian eggs, tested through two specific aims: (1) quantify changes in CaMKII/Tiam1 spatial and temporal dynamics and actin remodeling under varying Ca²⁺ and CaMKII/Tiam1 perturbations in hippocampal dendritic spines, and (2) quantify changes in CaMKII/Tiam1 spatial and temporal dynamics and actin remodeling under varying Ca²⁺ and CaMKII/Tiam1 perturbations in mammalian eggs.  Through perturbations in intracellular [Ca²⁺] levels, CaMKII and Tiam1 protein expressions, the resulting actin remodeling will be quantified via immunofluorescence post hoc image analysis for dendritic spine morphology changes and establishment of membrane block to polyspermy in oocytes.  Results from both aims will be compared and assessed for conserved Ca²⁺ actin remodeling mechanisms.

Zoom link: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/92672593549
Meeting ID: 926 7259 3549

Wed., April 24: PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Rachel Stingel (R. Shi, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 9:00 AM EDT in MJIS 2001 and via Zoom. Title: Acrolein-mediated excitotoxicity following spinal cord injury

Committee: Riyi Shi (Chair, advisor), Hyowon (Hugh) Lee, Maria Dadarlat, George M. Smith 

Abstract: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) causes significant sensory, motor, and autonomic dysfunction for which no established treatment option is available.  As such, mechanistic investigation is needed to identify effective therapeutic targets to improve the management of SCI. SCI arises from an initial mechanical impact to the spinal cord (primary injury) and is followed by a series of biochemical cascades (secondary injury) that perpetuate the extent of damage. Oxidative stress and glutamate excitotoxicity are two particularly destructive events that manifest within the first two weeks of SCI. Oxidative stress induces lipid peroxidation (LPO), which results in the production of reactive aldehydes (RA) such as acrolein. Acrolein, a strong electrophile that perpetuates oxidative stress, can bind to and cause irreversible structural changes in target proteins. Glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1), the chief regulator of extracellular glutamate levels, contains a number of nucleophilic amino acid residues that are likely targets of acrolein. Due to its high reactivity and peak levels coinciding with the progression of excitotoxicity, we hypothesize that acrolein binds to and disrupts the function of GLT-1, which underlies excitotoxicity in the secondary injury. Additionally, we have recently found evidence that acrolein damages aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), an oxidoreductase that metabolizes RAs, making it largely ineffective in neurotraumatic states. We hypothesize that restoring ALDH2 function will reduce acrolein levels and rescue GLT-1, thereby mitigating excitotoxic damage. Completion of these studies will not only better our overall understanding of the mechanisms underlying secondary SCI, but could also be applied to other neurotraumatic injuries or degenerative diseases with similar underlying pathologies.

Zoom link for those who cannot attend: meeting ID: 495 923 5472, https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/4959235472

Wed., April 24: BME Distinguished Research Seminar Series, 9:30 a.m., MRGN 121 and via Zoom. Stacey D. Finley, PhD, Nichole A. and Thuan Q. Pham Professor, University of Southern California will present “Exploring the tumor ecosystem: Modeling across scales.”

Abstract: My research group works in the area of mathematical oncology, where we use mathematical models to decipher the complex networks of reactions inside of cancer cells and interactions between cells. We have combined detailed, mechanistic and data-driven modeling to study these networks and predict ways to control tumor growth. Our models generate novel mechanistic insight into cell behavior and predict the effects of strategies aimed at inhibiting tumor growth. We have also developed methods of calibrating the models to tumor image data to generate reliable predictive frameworks. In this talk, I will present our work to model the tumor ecosystem across scales: intracellular signaling of immune cells, evolution of cell states, and interactions between tumor and immune cells using agent-based models.

Biography: Dr. Stacey Finley is the inaugural Nichole A. and Thuan Q. Pham Professor at the University of Southern California. She is Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Quantitative and Computational Biology. Dr. Finley received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Florida A & M University and obtained her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University. She completed postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins University in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Finley joined the faculty at USC in 2013, and she leads the Computational Systems Biology Laboratory. Dr. Finley has a joint appointment in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, and she is a member of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Finley is also a standing member of the MABS Study Section at NIH. Her research has been supported by grants from the NSF, NIH, and American Cancer Society.

Selected honors. 2016 NSF Faculty Early CAREER Award; 2016 Young Innovator by the Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering journal; Leah Edelstein-Keshet Prize from the Society of Mathematical Biology; Junior Research Award from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering; the Hanna Reisler Mentorship Award; 2018 AACR NextGen Star; 2018 Orange County Engineering Council Outstanding Young Engineer; 2021 Elected Fellow of American Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering; 2022 Fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society

~ BME Host: Leo Green ~

ZOOM LINK: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/98872914779

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

Thurs., April 25:  Seminars in Hearing Research, 12:00 p.m., Nelson Hall Room 1215.  Elle O’Brien, PhD, University of Michigan, will present “How will generative AI change scientific software?”

Abstract: Across biomedical research areas, scientists make and use code to facilitate data collection, generate data through computational simulations, investigate patterns in data through descriptive statistics and visualizations, and run statistical analyses to connect data to hypotheses. This talk will give an overview of an ongoing research program about the present and future of scientific software with an emphasis on applications to biomedical research. First, we will review findings from a recently-published study of how scientists adopt new software tools for data-intensive research, which sheds light on the pressures currently facing scientists who wish to expand their data analysis toolkit. Second, we will discuss new research that will look at which researchers are using generative AI tools for programming, how researchers reason about the validity of generated code, and how scientific practices and teamwork may be changing as a result.  

Bio:  Elle O'Brien, Ph.D. is a lecturer and research investigator at the University of Michigan. Dr. O'Brien trained at the University of Washington in computational neuroscience methods with a particular focus on the auditory nervous system. Through this work, she became interested in broad questions about how scientists develop software to collect, analyze, and share data and statistical models. Currently, Dr. O'Brien is researching how scientists navigate the use of generative AI tools for programming.

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

Mon., April 29: BME PhD Preliminary Exam Announcement for Thejas Vishnu Ramesh (J. Rispoli and V. Rayz, advisors). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 2:00 PM in MJIS 2001. Research title: Conductive fabric based wearable coil for cervical spine and carotid arteries MRI at 3T.

Thesis committee members: Dr. Joseph Rispoli (co-chair), Dr. Vitaliy Rayz (co-chair), Dr. Craig Goergen (committee member) and Dr. Uzay Emir (committee member).

Abstract: MRI is a non-ionizing, non-invasive imaging modality that provides superior soft tissue contrast. Radiofrequency (RF) coils are the antennas through which images are obtained in MRI. Volume coils provide a homogeneous field around the region of interest (ROI) while surface coils help obtain the maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for high resolution images. Receive arrays are made of multiple surface coils for concomitant acquisition of spatial information from the anatomy, thus enabling parallel imaging. MR angiography (MRA) techniques such as time-of-flight (TOF) MRI and phase contrast (PC) angiography take advantage of parallel imaging to visualize the vasculature and understand the underlying hemodynamics that can lead to cardiovascular diseases, especially in the carotid arteries. A rigid whole neck array that contains coils that extend to the cervical spine are often used to image the carotid arteries. However, the rigid neck array lacks adaptability to varying neck sizes, thus limiting the SNR. Wearable coils that tightly conform around the anatomy of interest developed using techniques such as screen printing, conductive elastomer, and conductive thread reduce coil setup time while ensuring maximum SNR in the final image. However, current wearable coil fabrication methods require specialized manufacturing practices, which render coil development an expensive process. Therefore, a wearable array developed using commercially available conductive fabric is proposed for simultaneous bilateral carotid arteries and cervical spine imaging at 3T. The conductive fabric method eliminates specialized manufacturing needs for developing wearable coils, thus enhancing RF coil accessibility without compromising patient comfort and image quality.

Zoom link: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/92041421380?pwd=SGRQaVcvS3MrdEduSHdIazBSNFVkZz09

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
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

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

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