Biomedical and Chemical Engineering

News

 

 

Sept. 18, 2012
Dr. Jesse Bond receives an NSF award.

November 9, 2011

Interdisciplinary team led by Syracuse University wins $2 million EFRI grant from NSF
This four-year award will allow the team to perform cutting edge research to understand and control the signaling processes in bacterial multicellular behaviors and bacteria-host interactions. Three BMCE faculty members are involved as PIs including Profs. Dacheng Ren (PI), R. “Suresh” Sureshkumar (co-PI) and Rebecca Bader (co-PI). Click here to read more.



October 20, 2011

Soft Interfaces IGERT @ SU
Syracuse University has been awarded $3M by NSF to develop an Integrative Graduate Education and Research Training Program (IGERT) in Soft Interfaces over the next five years. This is an excellent opportunity to train PHD scientists and engineers in the areas of biological  membranes, biomaterials and nanostructured interfaces.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY. 
 

September 2, 2011

Prof. Radhakrishna Sureshkumar developed a new technology to obtain stable suspensions of metal nanoparticles capable of capturing sunlight.

Prof. has developed a patent-pending robust process to manufacture stable suspensions of metal nanoparticles capable of capturing sunlight. By changing the composition of the suspension, researchers can “dial in” to a given wavelength (color) of the spectrum. The American Institute of Physics published Sureshkumar’s research in Applied Physics Letters in July 2011 and his work will be presented at the SPIE Optics + Photonics conference on Aug. 23. Click here to read more.



April 2, 2011

Prof. Dacheng Ren receives NSF CAREER award.
This prestigious award will provide $400,000 research funding for the Ren lab to study bacterial cell-cell interaction and horizontal gene transfer in biofilms with well controlled morpholog y. Click here to read the full story.Click here to read the full story. 


September 2 4, 2010

NSF grant awarded to Prof. Radhakrishna Sureshkumar
Dr. Radhakrishna Sureshkumar has been awarded a three-year, $426,290 grant by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to investigate how biofilms deform and break up under mechanical stress. Biofilms are colonies of bacterial microorganisms that build up on surfaces and usually result in damage, decay or inefficiencies.

When planktonic or swimming bacterial microorganisms attach themselves to a surface, they secrete polysaccharides, creating a matrix of slimy polymers. There are numerous types of biofilms that are created by different phenotypes of bacteria. One bacterial type is responsible for the plaque that builds up on teeth, while another type builds up on the surface of Navy vessels, which creates additional drag and power loss as they sail through the seas. Bacteria can also colonize in arteries and lungs, leading to life-threatening infections. Biofilms are extremely resistant to antibiotics, as compared to planktonic bacteria.

Sureshkumar, in collaboration with the engineering and medical schools at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and the University of Colorado, Boulder will be utilizing innovative computer simulations to understand at the molecular level the mechanical properties, or biomechanics, of different phenotypes of bacteria. The team will be studying the genetic makeup of the organism and how it relates to the mechanical properties of the type of biofilm it creates.

This project is a cross-disciplinary and collaborative effort to explore biofilms. The SU team of Sureshkumar and research assistant professor Shikha Nangia will be exploring biofilms through computer simulations. Simultaneously, David Bortz of the University of Colorado will be examining biofilms through mathematical modeling. Mike Solomon and John Younger of the University of Michigan will be performing experiments in the same area.

The goal is to provide a transformative understanding of how the complex system of biofilms responds to mechanical stimulus, such as the one resulting from arterial blood flow. The team will utilize the fundamental insights gleaned from the study to develop efficient therapeutic routes to treat bacterial infection.

“I am very pleased that the parallel computer cluster that will be the primary workhorse for this project is housed in SU’s Green Data Center,” says Sureshkumar. “Further, through a mutual agreement to share laboratory resources, we will leverage the computational facilities at the Brookhaven National Laboratory that have been made available to SU faculty. Such state-of-the-art facilities are critical to the success of cyber-enabled discovery and innovation.”

The LCS team of researchers led by Sureshkumar includes Nangia, graduate student Rui Li and undergraduate student Adina Dragici.


September 15, 2010

Prof. Dacheng Ren awarded Technology Educator of the Year by TACNY
Dr. Dacheng Ren has been named the 2010 College Technology Educator of the Year by the Technology Alliance of Central New York (TACNY). Dr. Ren was presented the award at the 12th annual Celebration of Technology awards banquet on Sept. 20 at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Liverpool. Click here to read more.


August 27, 2010

Dr. Sureshkumar's Group Uses Nanobiotechnology to Harvest Microalgae
Scientists and engineers seek to meet three goals in the production of biofuels from non-edible sources such as microalgae: efficiency, economical production and ecological sustainability. Syracuse University’s Radhakrishna Sureshkumar, professor and chair of biomedical and chemical engineering in the L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science, and SU chemical engineering Ph.D. student Satvik Wani have uncovered a process that is a promising step toward accomplishing these three goals.

Sureshkumar  and Wani have discovered a method to make algae, which can be used in the production of biofuels, grow faster by manipulating light particles through the use of nanobiotechnology. By creating accelerated photosynthesis, algae will grow faster with minimal change in the ecological resources required. This method is highlighted in the August 2010 issue of Nature Magazine.

The SU team has developed a new bioreactor that can enhance algae growth. They accomplished this by utilizing nanoparticles that selectively scatter blue light, promoting algae metabolism. When the optimal combination of light and confined nanoparticle suspension configuration was used, the team was able to achieve growth enhancement of an algae sample of greater than 30 percent as compared to a control.

“Algae produce triglycerides, which consist of fatty acids and glycerin. The fatty acids can be turned into biodiesel while the glycerin is a valuable byproduct,” says Sureshkumar. “Molecular biologists are actively seeking ways to engineer optimal algae strains for biofuel production. Enhancing the phototropic growth rate of such optimal organisms translates to increased productivity in harvesting the feedstock.”

The process involved the creation of a miniature bioreactor that consisted of a petri dish of a strain of green algae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) on top of another dish containing a suspension of silver nanoparticles that served to backscatter blue light into the algae culture. Through model-guided experimentation, the team discovered that by varying the concentration and size of the nanoparticle solution they could manipulate the intensity and frequency of the light source, thereby achieving an optimal wavelength for algal growth.

“Implementation of easily tunable wavelength specific backscattering on larger scales still remains a challenge, but its realization will have a substantial impact on the efficient harvesting of phototrophic microorganisms and reducing parasitic growth,” says Sureshkumar. “Devices that can convert light not utilized by the algae into the useful blue spectral regime can also be envisioned.”

To date, this is one of the first explorations into utilizing nanobiotechnology to promote microalgal growth. The acceleration in the growth rate of algae also had numerous benefits outside the area of biofuel production. Sureshkumar and Wani will be looking to employ this discovery to further their research in creating environmental sensors for ecological warning systems.

August 5, 2010

NSF Grant Awarded to Prof. Bader
Professor Rebecca A. Bader has received a research grant from the National Science Foundation to design polysaccharide-based drug delivery systems and to increase the participation of students with disabilities in engineering research.

The award will provide the Bader lab with $174,990 for two years to develop gel and micelle nanoparticles based on two polysaccharides: polysialic acid and hyaluronic acid. The nanoparticles will be loaded with therapeutics, and the resultant complexes will be tested in vitro and in vivo for improved efficacy in the treatment of inflammatory disease. Dr. Bader will also work with the Burton Blatt Institute to increase awareness of the community to disabilities and to increase the number of students with disabilities in the engineering program. Click here to read more.

August 2, 2010

Prof. Lawrence L. Tavlarides receives DOE grant for new Nuclear Engineering Minor
Prof. Lawrence L. Tavlarides has been awarded a $107,000 grant from the Department of Energy. The award will be used for equipment for an undergraduate laboratory to support L.C. Smith College’s Nuclear Engineering Track (NET) program that is scheduled to begin in the Spring 2011 semester. New courses that will be instituted over for the next two years for the NET minor include: NUC 501- Introduction to Nuclear Engineering and Reactor Safety; NUC 510- Nuclear Power Plant Design, Operation and Safety; NUC 520- Radiochemistry, Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing and Nonproliferation; NUC 530- Electric Power Generation and Distribution; and NUC 590-Laboratory Research Study.

The equipment funds will provide unit operation experiments consistent with NUC 520, the Radiochemistry, Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing and Nonproliferation course. Undergraduate students in all engineering disciplines will be eligible to take the NET and graduate students will be able to pursue the 500-level courses.

The Nuclear Engineering Track is a major innovative approach which will include significant participation from Constellation Energy- NMP and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).


July 22, 2010

Prof. Sureshkumar delivers a keynote lecture on reducing energy consumption in fluid transportation
R. Sureshkumar, professor and chair of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering department and professor of Physics, delivered a keynote lecture at the International Workshop on Flow Instabilities and Turbulence in Viscoelastic Fluids organized by the Lorentz Center, University of Leiden, the Netherlands. His lecture focused on turbulent friction drag reduction using polymeric additives. Friction drag determines the power requirements in fluid transportation. Addition of minute amounts of high molecular weight polymers can reduce the energy consumed by up to 70%. For instance, this technology is beneficially used to save billions of dollars in trans-continental crude oil pipelines. In his lecture, Sureshkumar explained the dynamical interactions between polymer chains and turbulence that lead to this dramatic effect.


July 1, 2010
Prof. Sureshkumar and Syracuse University listed as partners in U.K. EPSRC project
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council of the United Kingdom has funded a research project in which Syracuse University is a partner organization (PI: Dr. Alexander Morozov, University of Edinburgh). R. Sureshkumar, professor and chair of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering department and professor of Physics, will collaborate with Dr. Morozov and his graduate students to understand the mechanisms that cause instabilities and chaos in the flows of polymeric fluids. Flow instabilities present a critical bottleneck in polymer processing since they limit the production rate and product quality. Understanding the mechanisms that trigger such instabilities will help in the design and control of high throughput and energy efficient processes that minimize wastage of raw materials.

                                         
Prof. Sureshkumar                                                 Dr. Morozov (University of Edinburgh)


June 22, 2010

Sureshkumar receives NSF funding to continue research on solar antennas
Professor Sureshkumar has received a one year $63,618 grant to help continue his research on the design and manufacturing of metallic nanomaterials capable of harvesting Sun’s energy. Such “antennas” take advantage of the resonant interactions between the electronic oscillations on the metal surface and the incident electromagnetic (solar) spectrum. They offer much potential in enhancing the efficiency of thin film photovoltaic cells.



May 11, 2010

Prof. Patrick Mather and bioengineering graudate student Xiaofan Luo developed electrically triggered shape memory polymers
Professor Patrick Mather and Bioengineering graudate student Xiaofan Luo blended an electrically conductive network of carbon nanofibres with a shape memory polymer (SMP) - a material that changes from a deformed shape to its original shape induced by a trigger such as a change in temperature. The network of nanofibres enabled the material to heat up very quickly, triggering a change in motion (actuation). This material could be used in deployable mechanical structures which can change shape when commanded to do so. Their work has been published in Soft Matter 2010, 6, 2146 - 2149. Click here to read the full story.
                                          
Prof. Patrick T. Mather                                           Xiaofan Luo

May 3, 2010

New process for nanoscale templates discovered by Sureshkumar and coworkers (Nature Materials, May 2010)

In NSF-supported interdisciplinary research (Vasudevan et al., Nature Materials, 9: 436-441 (2010)), a robust flow-assisted technique to irreversibly assemble molecular rods into permanent nanostructured gels has been discovered. Simply put, the researchers discovered that the templates can be grown by flow (M. Pasquali, “Grow with the flow”, News and Views, Nature Materials, 9: 381-382). Such gels could serve as templates, i.e. background structures, to synthesize active nanomaterials for applications ranging from cellular delivery to photonics. For instance, in ongoing research, the nanogel is used as a template to distribute optically active nanoparticles with the eventual goal of designing interfaces that would serve as broadband antennas in thin film photovoltaic cells for efficiently harnessing the Sun’s energy. Click here to read more.

Prof. Sureshkumar

April 26, 2010

BMCE Students Recognized for Outstanding Academic Accomplishments

Our Department is proud to acknowledge the All-University Doctoral Prize winner and the recipients of Graduate and Undergraduate Departmental awards for 2010.

Shuyo Hou has been awarded an All-University Doctoral Prize by Syracuse University for 2010. This prize is awarded by the Graduate School to recognize superior achievement in completed dissertations. Mr. Hou will receive a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering in May. The title of Mr. Hou’s dissertation is: “Understanding and Controlling Microbial Biofilm Formation by Surface Engineering and Novel Biofilm Inhibitors.” His advisor is Dr. Dacheng Ren.

Danieli B.C. Rodrigues will receive the Bioengineering Outstanding Achievement Award in Graduate Study. Ms. Rodrigues is a Ph.D. student working with Dr. Julie Hasenwinkel.

Meera Sidheswaran will receive the Chemical Engineering Outstanding Achievement Award in Graduate Study. Ms. Sidheswaran is a Ph.D. student working with Dr. Lawrence Tavlarides.

The recipients of the awards for excellence in undergraduate studies are:
Mari Allison: Karen M. Hiiemae Outstanding Achievement Award in Bioengineering.
Joseph Priola: Bioengineering Founders Award.
Peter Paynter: Outstanding Achievement Award in Chemical Engineering.
Clair Tartell: Allen J. Barduhn Award in Chemical Engineering.

These students exemplify the excellence in scholarship of the University, the College, and our Department. All are very deserving of these special distinctions. They will be honored at the L.C. Smith Convocation ceremonies on May 15, 2010.

Congratulations to Clair, Peter, Joseph, Mari, Meera, Danieli and Shuyu!

April 23, 2010

Professor Jeremy L. Gilbert Elected President of the Society for Biomaterials, 2010-2011

Professor Jeremy L. Gilbert was elected President of the Society for Biomaterials by the membership of the Society. Gilbert has been a continuous member of the Society for Biomaterials since 1987 and has served the Society in numerous capacities including several program committees, Chair of the Membership Committee, and Chair of the Devices and Materials Committee, as well as organizing workshops and symposia. Election to the presidency is a four year commitment, including serving as president-elect (2009-2010), president (2010-2011), past president and second past president, and as a member of the governing board for the Society.                                                                                             

The Society for Biomaterials, founded in 1974, is the premier professional Society focused on research, education and translation of Biomaterials. It sponsors the publication of the Journals of Biomedical Materials Research – Parts A and B (Applied Biomaterials). The Society has been leading the efforts to discover, develop and design biomaterials-based therapies and medical devices to repair, replace or augment tissues, structures and organs in the human body. It has highly focused efforts in biomaterials translation and innovation of new medical devices, tissue engineered structures and cell-material combination products to treat human health.

March 7, 2010

New Anti-Fungal Compounds

Professors Dacheng Ren (SU BMCE) and Yan-Yeung Luk (SU Chemistry) have developed new anti-fungal compounds that can potentially lead to effective treatment of drug resistant fungal infections. Their results have been published in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology and a non-provisional patent application has been submitted. Prof. Ren’s work is partially supported by an Early Career Translational Research Award in Biomedical Engineering from the Wallace H. Coulter. Click here to read the full story.

Prof. Luk (left) and Prof. Ren (right)

August 30, 2009

NSF Grant Awarded to Professors Henderson and Mather

Professors James H. Henderson (Principal Investigator) and Patrick Mather (co- Principal Investigator)of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, were awarded funding from the National Science Foundation to investigate active cell culture substrates.

This award will support the team to investigate surfaces that can change shape while cells are attached. The award provides $399,364 for the next three years, during which the Henderson and Mather labs will investigate the characteristics of “smart” materials that can undergo surface shape changes, tuning of the material characteristics for application in cell culture, and testing of active cell culture substrates with specific target uses, such as directing cell lineage specification, stretching cells, assaying cell traction forces, and orienting and patterning fields of homogeneous or heterogeneous cells.
                                          
Prof. James H. Henderson                                  Prof. Patrick T. Mather

May 30, 2009

Professor Jeremy L. Gilbert Appointed Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research – Part B: Applied Biomaterials

Professor Jeremy L. Gilbert was named the second Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research – Part B: Applied Biomaterials (JBMR-B). Dr. Gilbert assumed the role of Editor-in-Chief after Harold Alexander, the founding editor for 23 years, stepped down May 1, 2009. JBMR-B is one of the two journals published by the Society for Biomaterials and has established itself as the premier journal focused on applications of biomaterials in medical devices and therapies. The uniqueness of JBMR-B is its translational focus on real medical therapies and devices for real diseases and health conditions affecting humans. Research in synthetic biomaterials (metals, polymers and ceramics) for medical devices and drug delivery, tissue engineered constructs, and stem-cell-based tissue engineering is published along with laboratory and clinical studies of biomaterials, retrieval analyses of failed medical devices and performance testing. JBMR-B is published by Wiley Blackwell.

Prof. Jeremy L. Gilbert