BME
WEEKLY ROUNDTABLE
MAY
27, 2024
INTERIM
HEAD’S NOTE
What
a race! I did not super follow this year’s Greatest Spectacle in Racing until the race was delayed by severe weather Sunday noon. Jo read my mind by putting a picture on top. I hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend. I was a bit dreading watching the Pacers
surrender an 18-point lead late in the game and fell to 0-3 in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.
I
have had one-on-one meetings with all the Assistant and Associate Professors with majority appointment in the department. I enjoyed these meetings. Please let me know if there is anything else you want to know from me regarding the Primary Committee evaluations.
One
highlight I want to provide is about this year’s Purdue Day of Giving. The
Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering received 41 total gifts compared to 33 last year. We were 34th on the leaderboard in terms of the total amount raised. We also won one of the hourly challenges: 50th Original Tweet using Unit Handle
/ Hashing - $250 for Purdue Biomedical Engineering Society!
UPCOMING
IMPORTANT DATES
Week
of May 27
Mon.,
May 27: Memorial
Day Holiday,
All
offices closed.
Wed.,
May 29: Mini Symposium with IUSM Radiology & Imaging Sciences,
2:00-5:00 p.m., Goodman Hall Auditorium, Indianapolis and via Teams. We are excited to announce a mini-symposium in Indianapolis, aimed at enhancing awareness and fostering collaboration between IUSM Radiology & Imaging Sciences and Weldon School
of Biomedical Engineering. The symposium will be held on May 29th 2-5 PM at the Goodman Hall Auditorium. For those unable to attend in person, a Teams option will be available. We anticipate this event will lead to collaborations in additional areas. However,
neuroimaging will serve as our initial focus area, using a bottom-up approach to initiate discussions. The symposium will feature eight 20-minute talks: four from BME (Fang Huang, Vitaliy Raz, Maria Makin, and Young Kim or Cheen Ang) and four from IUSM Radiology
. We strongly encourage you to attend this important event to expand our multidisciplinary research collaborations. This will be an opportunity to learn more about research and education at IUSM Radiology & Imaging Sciences. For questions, please contact Young
Kim (youngkim@purdue.edu)
IMPORTANT
MJIS ALERTS
In
case you missed this in “Purdue Today”:
Nursing
and Pharmacy Education Building: Construction
on the new Nursing and Pharmacy Education Building, also south of Mitch Daniels Boulevard and along South Russell Street, is scheduled to begin in July. The same traffic patterns for the Life Science Ranges Phenotyping Greenhouse Building will remain in place
from July through February 2025. The sidewalk and street parking along the west side of South Russell Street will also close in July and remain closed off through November 2026.
The
parking lot located at the southwest corner of Mitch Daniels Boulevard and Russell Street will permanently close July 22.
The
“parking lot located at the southwest corner of Mitch Daniels….” Is the one behind MJIS/HERL.
UNIVERSITY
REMINDERS
New
research security training and certification. As
we continue working to safeguard Purdue-led research against inappropriate interference by foreign entities, we have introduced a new
online
learning module for research security training
that
addresses contemporary issues and satisfies new federal requirements. We ask that all researchers within the colleges of agriculture, engineering and science and the Purdue Polytechnic Institute complete this training by Sept. 1, 2024. Read
more.
Upcoming
important deadlines and information
Thurs.,
June 6: IBSC-BME
Preliminary Exam Announcement for Shatha J. Mufti
(R. Shi, advisor). Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 9:30 a.m. in MJIS 2001 and via Zoom.
Research Title: Investigating Alterations in Neuronal Network Dynamics, Astrocyte Reactivity, and Oxidative Stress Post-Traumatic Brain Injury Utilizing in vitro TBI-On-A-Chip Model
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
Fri.,
June 7: International Society for Applied Cardiovascular Biology Webinar,
9:00
a.m., via Zoom. Dr. Sandra Davidge, PhD, FCAHS, FRSC, Executive Director, Women and Children’s Health Research Institute, Distinguished University Professor, University of Alberta, Professor, Depts. of OB/GYN and Physiology will present “Developmental origins
of adult cardiovascular disease: Pre-clinical evidence towards improving outcomes.” Free registration at
https://isacb.wildapricot.org/event-5711321.
Organized by ISACB early career members in conjunction with the ISACB Early Career, European Partnership, and Communications Committee.
Tues.,
June 18: Abstract
Submission Deadline for 10th Annual Diabetes Symposium
to
be held August 9, 2024 on the IU School of Medicine’s Indianapolis campus.
Abstract
submissions are included as part of the online registration form. Please refer to the document "Guidelines
for Writing an Abstract"
for recommendations on how to write an abstract. Additional instructions about formatting and submitting your abstract can be found in the
general
information file
Fri.,
July 19: Online
Registration Deadline for 10th Annual Diabetes Symposium
to
be held August 9, 2024 on the IU School of Medicine’s Indianapolis campus.
The
registration deadline to receive breakfast and lunch is Friday, July 19, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. EST. After the online registration deadline, only on-site registration the day of the Symposium will be available, and lunch will not be included for on-site registrants.
Register at: https://redcap.uits.iu.edu/surveys/?s=8KMTKFPHKXCKAJK4
Resources
and further information
Thurs.,
June 6: IBSC-BME Preliminary Exam Announcement for Shatha J. Mufti
(R. Shi, advisor).
Everyone is invited to attend the public presentation beginning at 9:30 a.m. in MJIS 2001 and via Zoom.
Research Title: Investigating Alterations in Neuronal Network Dynamics, Astrocyte Reactivity, and Oxidative Stress Post-Traumatic Brain Injury Utilizing in vitro TBI-On-A-Chip Model.
Committee
members: Riyi Shi (Chair, BME), Matthew Ward (BME), Yunjie Tong (BME), and GuangJun Zhang (CPB)
Abstract:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can induce critical changes in neuronal network dynamics and alter the structural and functional connectivity of affected brain regions, potentially leading to serious sequalae, such as seizures. Epileptogenesis results from a
shift in network dynamics towards a hyperexcitable and highly synchronized state, which occurs after brain injury via unclear mechanisms. While
in vivo TBI models offer crucial insight into pathophysiological changes occurring in the brain post-injury, it is often difficult to precisely control the injury extent (e.g., degree of tissue deformation) in animals, even with strict control of injury
administration (e.g., rate of rapid acceleration injury or weight-drop). Unfortunately, this methodological-induced variation confounds experimental outcomes, further obfuscating our understanding of the mechanisms that underly injury pathologies such as seizure.
To overcome these limitations by minimizing systemic confounding variables, we utilized our unique
in vitro TBI-on-a-chip model to investigate changes in network dynamics and seizure-like activity (SLA) post-TBI, with relative ease of measuring functional and structural changes following injury. TBI-on-a-chip simulates concussion by applying clinically
relevant, rapid acceleration injuries to murine cortical networks cultured on microelectrode arrays (MEAs), and allows real-time, cell-scale monitoring of electrophysiological and morphological changes that arise from the impact injury. Extracellular recordings
of spike activity revealed that networks exposed to 10 rapidly (4-6 sec) administered 30 g impacts displayed heightened network synchronization, a hallmark of SLA. Furthermore, cross-correlation analysis revealed changes in network dynamics and neuronal firing
hierarchy post-impact. Additionally, immunocytochemical studies on networks exposed to single 30, 100, and 200 g impacts showed progressive increases in the astrocyte reactivity marker, GFAP, and the lipid peroxidation product and oxidative stress marker,
acrolein. Since astrocytes regulate ion and neurotransmitter concentrations in the extracellular space of synapses, and astrocyte dysfunction via increased reactivity can lead to neuronal hyperexcitability and increased susceptibility for seizures, these results
suggest a potential mechanism underlying TBI-induced epilepsy. Moreover, we show that acrolein, even in the absence of injury, is capable of inducing increases in GFAP, suggesting that oxidative stress could increase astrocyte reactivity, and thereby contribute
to post-TBI epilepsy. In summary, this work using the TBI-on-a-chip model could provide vital insights into functional and morphological changes in neurons and astrocytes following TBI, and enable investigation of the mechanisms underlying SLA, which could
lead to the identification of potential therapeutic targets.
Zoom
link:
https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/99714871016?pwd=UmJNSWh0OFRONnFUa3liT0lEd2pVQT09
Fri.,
August 9: 10th
Annual Diabetes Symposium,
8:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the IU School of Medicine’s Indianapolis campus, sponsored by the Indiana University School of Medicine’s Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases. Registration and abstract submissions are now open!
The
annual Diabetes Symposium of the Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases presents unique opportunities to learn from nationally recognized experts, discuss the recent scientific breakthroughs and forge relationships with potential collaborators.
The 2024 Symposium will be held on Friday, August 9, on the IU School of Medicine's Indianapolis campus. We invite everyone in our CDMD community to
register
and participate.
This year's keynote speakers are Raghu
Mirmira, MD, PhD,
professor of medicine, vice chair for research and co-director of the Diabetes Research and Training Center at the University of Chicago, and
Annemarie
Hirsch, MPH, PhD,
associate professor and co-director of the Environmental Health Institute in the department of population health sciences at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
In celebration of the Symposium's 10th anniversary this year, we’re also pleased to present a special lecture by
Corinne
M. Silva, PhD,
program director of the division of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolic diseases at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health.
In addition, there will once again be Oral Abstract Presentation sessions by trainees. Please check the
general
information file for
details on how to participate. There will be four simultaneous sessions that will include 4-5 presentations based on topic. Topics are listed in the abstract submission form, and the category can be selected from the list during submission. For those who do
not wish to present orally, abstracts can also be submitted to be presented as posters. Please make sure you check the correct box when you submit your abstract. We would like to encourage all trainees to submit an abstract. The main goal is to discuss your
project and ideas and get feedback from colleagues. Any existing data is welcome, even if the study has just started and/or is incomplete.
All trainees are invited to join one of our guest speakers for breakfast and junior faculty are also invited to attend a special afternoon session with Dr. Corinne Silva. These will be great opportunities to discuss your science, and we anticipate that you
will enjoy interacting with these outstanding researchers. Please let us know if you are interested in participating in this activity when you register, and select the speaker you would like to talk to.
Please note that access to sessions will be limited to official registrants of the Symposium.
We hope that you will join us, share your research, and make this year’s milestone Symposium an incredible one!
Additional
details about the Symposium's agenda and logistics will be shared before the event. Please contact Shari Parker (shupchur@iu.edu)
if you have additional questions or concerns.
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