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2009 Speakers To Be Posted2008 Plenary Speakers
Professor, Department Chair, Materials and Textile, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Presentation Time: Sunday, April 6th, 8 - 8:45 am
Presentation Title:
Ink Jet Printing Polypeptides, Yeast and Stem Cells
Abstract: We have the eventual goal of printing biopolymer supports, patterns of different cell
types and matrix gels in order to build tissue samples for implant or testing. Patterns of silk and collagen have been printed and the growth of mesenchymal stem cells on these patterns has been
followed. As an alternative to printing these unstable biopolymer solutions, we have sequentially printed layers of anionic and cationic polypeptide in order to form patterns of insoluble complex on
a substrate. Yeast has been printed and then overprinted with layers of silk, such that the growth of the yeast immobilized below the polymer film can be monitored. Stem cells have also been
printed and show good survival, apparently undamaged.
Bio: Paul Calvert studied Materials Science at Cambridge University and MIT. He then joined the
School of Molecular Sciences at Sussex University in 1972 and taught polymer science until 1988 when he went to the Department of Materials Science and engineering at University of Arizona. In
2003 he went to University of Massachusetts Dartmouth as Chair of what was the Textile Sciences Department and oversaw the conversion into a Materials department with a focus on
soft materials. His research interests have migrated through polymer crystallization, composite materials, crystal-induced joint diseases, ceramics processing, solid freeform fabrication,
biomimetic materials and processing. His current research is on methods to print soft electronics and biological materials.
Dr. Yury Gogotsi,
Professor, A.J. Drexel Nanotechnology Institute Director, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University
Presentation Time: Saturday, April 5th, 5:30 - 6:15pm
Presentation Title:
Nanotube-based cellular probes and fluid transport through carbon nanotubes
Abstract: In this talk, an overview of nanotube-tipped biological probes for cellular studies and a
detailed analysis of liquid transport in nanotubes will be presented. Glass pipettes are currently the most widely used types of cellular probes. Although they were successfully applied for
interrogation of large cells, such as oocytes, for many small cells or sub-cellular studies their size is too large. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have thinner walls, compared to glass, in addition to a
smaller diameter. Therefore, in principle, they can penetrate cells and interrogate subcellular organelles without causing their fatal deformation and/or disruption. Cylindrical shape, tunable
diameter, mechanical strength, electrical conductivity and biocompatibility make carbon nanotubes uniquely suitable for sub-cellular probing applications. However, while the processes that govern
fluid transport in micropipettes are fairly well understood, as the diameters diminish, the roles of surface tension and capillarity seem to vary. Thus, the expected promise of CNTs in biomedical
applications must be supported with basic studies of nanoscale fluid transport. Open CNTs can be filled with nanoparticles of various materials and used in devices transporting attoliters of fluids.
Their surfaces can be also functionalized. We have investigated the liquid/vapor distribution in nanotubes, the interaction of aqueous fluids with the tube walls, and the effect of vacuum
annealing and oxidation on the wall structure and surface chemistry of carbon nanotubes. On this basis, we are developing a research program that will thoroughly explore various aspects of liquid
behavior in nanotube channels. We have successfully incorporated magnetic nanoparticles inside CNT walls thus enabling magnetic manipulation of CNTs. Magnetic CNTs can be attached to a
glass pipette by magnetophoresis to create a CNT-tipped micropipette capable of liquid transfer to and from cells.
Bio:
Dr. Yury Gogotsi is Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Drexel University. He also holds courtesy appointments in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Drexel University
and serves as Director of the A.J. Drexel Nanotechnology Institute. He received his MS (1984) and PhD (1986) degrees from Kiev Polytechnic and a DSc degree from the Ukrainian Academy of
Science in 1995. His research group works on nanostructured carbons, nanoparticles, nanocomposites and nanofluidics. He has co-authored two books, edited 12 books, obtained more
than 20 patents and authored about 250 research papers. He has received several awards for his research including I.N. Frantsevich Prize from the Ukrainian Academy of Science, S. Somiya Award
from the International Union of Materials Research Societies, G.C. Kuczynski Prize from the International Institute for the Science of Sintering, R. Snow Award from the American Ceramic
Society (3 times), R&D 100 and two Nano 50 Awards. He has been elected a Fellow of the American Ceramic Society, Academician of the World Academy of Ceramics and Full Member of the
International Institute for the Science of Sintering.
Dr. Srinivas Sridhar,
Physics Department Chair, College of Arts & Sciences Distinguished Professor, and Vice Provost for Research, Director NSF IGERT Nanomedicine, Northeastern University
Presentation Time:
Saturday, April 5th 8:00 - 8:45 am
Presentation Title: Nanomedicine: a new paradigm in diagnosis and therapy
Abstract: Nanomedicine seeks to exploit a timely convergence of two parallel recent
developments toward the diagnosis and therapy of disease - the decoding of the human genome that has led to greater understanding of the molecular basis of diseases, and nanotechology,
which offers the means to control single molecular interactions. At Northeastern University, a multi-disciplinary research and education effort involving experts from Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Chemistry, Physics, Chemical, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering and Biology, and from neighboring medical research hospitals, has come together to address the key applications of
nanotechnology to medicine. A new doctoral program has also been established including new courses and interdisciplinary research in nanomedicine. Some of the principal research projects are
to develop the science and technology of multi-functional nanoparticles (gold, iron-gold, polymeric, micelles, nanoassemblies) for probing cellular processes and for targeted delivery;
metallic nanoparticles for embryonic stem cell tracking; magnetic nanoparticles as targeted delivery and MRI contrast agents, and nanotemplates for assembly and controlled release.
Supported by National Cancer Institute and the National Science Foundation.
Bio: Sri Sridhar is Vice Provost for Research, and Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor and
Chairperson in the Physics Department at Northeastern University. He is the Director of Nanomedicine Science and Technology, an IGERT (Integrative Graduate Education and Research
Training) program funded by the National Cancer Institute and the National Science Foundation. He is the founding director of the Electronic Materials Research Institute. His current areas of
research are nanomedicine and nanophotonics. His paper published in Nature in 2003 was selected among the Breakthroughs of 2003 by the journal Science. He has published numerous articles on
his work in nanomedicine, nanophotonics, metamaterials, quantum chaos, superconductivity and collective excitations in materials. For more information visit www.igert.neu.edu and sagar.physics.neu.edu.
Dr. Gavin Braithwaite,
Vice President of Research, Cambridge Polymer Group, Boston, MA
Presentation Time: Saturday, April 5th, 1:30 - 2:15
Presentation Title: Refuse to Fuse! A New Solution to Lower Back Pain
Abstract: Back-pain sufferers cost the United States more than $100 billion annually in medical bills, disability and lost productivity. In the United States, 176 million days of restricted activity
occur, and at any given time, 2.4 million Americans are disabled due to low back pain. In general, 80% of Americans will suffer back pain at some point in their lives resulting in almost 13 million
physician visits per year. Back pain is a predominantly middle-aged issue, occurring largely between the ages of 40 and 60.
The sources of back pain include: 1) inflammatory and infectious diseases (e.g. arthritis); 2) mechanical disorders (e.g. herniated discs or deterioration of the entire spine); 3) trauma
(impacts, accidents or contact sports); 4) tumors. The most common treatments for lower back pain are either non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, or fusion of the compromised
vertebrae. Medication usually does not address the root cause of the pain, and fusion results in loss of mobility in the affected spine sections, which can often result in degeneration of adjacent spine sections.
New technologies have begun emerging in the past 5 years in an attempt to alleviate pain while maintaining natural spine motion. On the extreme end, total disc replacement technologies were
recently approved by the FDA in the United States in the form of the Charité and Pro-Disc. This surgery involves the replacement of the natural intervertebral disc with a synthetic disc composed
of titanium and polyethylene. More conservative treatments that are in development include nucleus pulposus replacement (NP). The NP is the gelatinous core of the intervertebral disc, which
is responsible for load absorption and motion in the spine. When the NP is damaged or degraded, the disc loses height and mobility, resulting in pain and loss of spine flexibility. Spine surgeons
have requested biomimetic materials to replace the natural NP.
We have developed a new method for generating hydrogels from materials such as poly(vinyl
alcohol) (PVA). The method involves the manipulation of solvent conditions, which allows the transformation of an injectable liquid to a space-filling, load-bearing solid in a matter of minutes
without chemical reaction. Our material can be injected into the nuclear cavity of the intervertebral disc, replacing the damaged NP and restoring disc function. As the material is
injectable, the surgery can be performed in a minimally-invasive manner, precluding the need for invasive surgery. In this presentation, we will present the results from our bench top and short-term animal studies.
Bio: Dr. Braithwaite is Vice President of Research at Cambridge Polymer Group ("CPG"). CPG is a contract research laboratory that specializes in providing polymeric materials services for clients
worldwide. CPG's core competencies include property enhancement, test methodology development, radiation chemistry, rheology, failure analysis and blends formulations. It has
particular strength in biomedical materials. He has been working with colloids, surfaces and polymers for over 15 years. He has a B.Sc. in Physics from Edinburgh University, a Masters in
Electronics from Southampton University and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College (London), where he worked on adsorbed polymer layers and colloidal stability.
Gavin has been with Cambridge Polymer Group for over 10 years and currently manages the research efforts there. He is an expert in novel instrument design, having designed an atomic
force microscope to probe the interparticle forces and layer viscoelasticity due to adsorbed polymer layers and a number of custom instruments since joining CPG. He has also designed a
micro-gap shear rheometer as part of his post-doctoral research at MIT, where he investigated the rheology of confined polymer solutions and melts. He has a number of issued patents on topics
as diverse as an extensional rheometer (the CaBER®), a method for making biomimetic collagen layers, and on methods for making, and uses for, hydrogels. Gavin is currently primarily involved in
the development of next generation polyethylene biomaterials and future applications of hydrogels in the human body. Gavin has expertise in polymer gel formulation and characterization, and
focuses a large part of his research on associating polymer systems. His primary interest is polymers in solution and in colloidal systems. Gavin is a member of the Institute of Physics (UK),
the Society of Rheology, the American Chemical Society and the Spine Arthroplasty Society.
Arto Nurrmiko,
L. Herbert Ballou University Professor of Engineering & Physics, Brown University
Presentation Time: Saturday, April 5th, 11:15 - 12:00 pm
Presentation Title: Implantable Brain Sensors
Bio: Arto V. Nurmikko received his B.S (Phi Beta kappa), M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering University of California, Berkeley. He joined the Brown University faculty in Electrical
Engineering in 1975. Since 1994 he has been the L. Herbert Ballou University Professor of Engineering and Physics at Brown. Professor Nurmikko is an expert in photonics, microelectronics,
neuroengineering, and the translation of device research to new technologies in physical and life science applications. His current interests are focused on device science especially for neural
interfaces. Other components of his work involve development of ultracompact semiconductor light emitters and ultrafast optical switching of magnetism. Professor Nurmikko is a Fellow of the
American Physical Society (1989), of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (1997), and of the Optical Society of America (1993). He has been the recipient of a Guggenheim
Fellowship, and elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2007.
2008 Invited Technical Speakers
Assistant Professor, Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Department of Medicine at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Presentation Time: Saturday, April 5th, 9:15 - 9:35 am, Nanotechnology Track
Presentation Title: Gecko Inspired Biomedical Adhesives
Abstract:
There exists a significant medical need for tough, biodegradable polymer adhesives for closing and sealing wounds or incisions that can accommodate various mechanical deformations
while remaining strongly attached to the underlying tissue. These materials would be particularly useful as replacement or support for sutures or staples that are often difficult to manipulate during
laparoscopic or microscopic procedures, and/or could be used as patches to aid in hemostasis to improve the visibility of the operative field, or as drug delivery patches for internal use. Through
inspiration from the gecko, we have elucidated fundamental scientific and engineering principles required to fabricate biologically interfacing adhesive materials with well-defined surface
morphologies and chemistries without inducing a significant inflammatory response. This talk will describe the development of a new class of strongly adhesive nano textured biodegradable
elastomers that may be useful for a range of medical applications.
Bio: Dr. Karp is a tenure-track faculty member at the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and
Technology, Department of Medicine at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School. He has published 28 peer reviewed papers, 8 book chapters, 37 abstracts, and has 17
issued or pending patents, 3 of which have been licensed by biotech companies. Dr. Karp obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in Chemical Engineering where he worked with Professor
John Davies and Molly Shoichet. Upon graduation, he was awarded the Paul B. Madsen Award for the most innovative graduate student. He joined MIT as an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow working in
Institute Professor Robert Langer's laboratory for 3 years in the areas of human embryonic stem cells, photocrosslinkable degradable elastomers, materials for influencing cell rolling, biomedical
adhesives, and BioMEMS technologies. In 2005 he won first prize at an MIT Chemical Engineering Research Competition for his work on enhancing the differentiation efficiency of human embryonic
stem cells. Since 2006 he has been a member of the Editorial Board for the International Journal of Nanomedicine and currently is an ad-hoc reviewer for 17 journals in areas covering biomaterials,
tissue engineering, and biotechnology. In 2007 he was invited as one of the top engineers in the country between the ages of 30-45 to attend the National Academy of Engineering US Frontiers of
Engineering Symposium at Microsoft in Seattle.
Dr. Deepak Vashishth,
Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Presentation Time: Saturday, April 5th, 9:15-9:35 am, Biomechanics Track
Presentation Title:
Biomechanics of Skeletal Tissue Regeneration: Concept of Functionally Engineered Tissue
Abstract: Various musculoskeletal conditions may be treated by the replenishment of matrix
producing cells derived from adult human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), however, the differentiation of adult hMSCs into matrix producing connective tissue cells is not completely
understood. In contrast to the in vivo environment where stem cell differentiation occurs via a complex interplay of biophysical and biochemical factors, in vitro approaches have been largely
restricted to the application of biochemical stimuli. Furthermore, an examination of the mechanical properties of skeletal tissues under different loading conditions reveals that fibrous tissues are
strong in tension and while bones are strong in compression. An intimate relationship may therefore exist between the biophysical stimulus promoting the formation of a particular tissue
type and its resultant mechanical properties. The current talk will describe how this relationship can be exploited to functionally engineer skeletal tissues and present results from in vitro cell
culture that are consistent with the concept of functionally engineered tissue.
Bio: Dr. Vashishth received his undergraduate training from Malaviya National Institute of
Technology, India (1989), his MS from West Virginia University, USA (1992) and PhD from the University of London, UK (1997). After finishing his post-doctoral training in the Department of
Orthopaedics at Henry Ford Hospital, Dr. Vashishth joined the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in December 1999 and was promoted with tenure
to his current position of Associate Professor in December 2005. Dr. Vashishth is a member of the core faculty at the newly created Center of Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Research Center
at RPI and his research interests are in the Biology and Mechanics of Hard Tissue, Cellular Control of Tissue Growth and Development, Mechanobiology of Skeletal Tissue Regeneration and Fatigue
Fractures of Long Bones. Dr. Vashishth is the recipient of the Inter-fraternity Council Outstanding Professor Award, School of Engineering Research Award and Class of 1951 Outstanding Teaching
Awards from RPI. He is member of several professional societies including the American Society of Bone & Mineral Research, Biomedical Engineering Society, European Society of Biomechanics and
the Orthopaedic Research Society. Dr. Vashishth is an editorial board member of the Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials and a reviewer for several international journals and
national and international grant agencies.
Dr. Yoed Rabin,
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Head, Biothermal Technology Laboratory Carnegie Mellon University
Presentation Time: Saturday, April 5th, 9:15 - 9:35 am, Bioinstrumentation Track
Pesentation Title: Key issues in developing tools for computerized planning of cryosurgery
Abstract: Despite the continuous development of devices and techniques for minimally invasive
cryosurgery (the destruction of undesired tissues by freezing), modern cryosurgery frequently falls short of maximizing cryodestruction to the target region, while minimizing cryoinjury to the
surrounding tissues. One of the most significant difficulties-and probably the less intuitive obstacle to overcome-is the design and generation of a frozen region to adequately correlate with the
shape of the target region and established criteria for cryosurgery success. This presentation focuses on the recent developments in computerized planning of cryosurgery, with application to
prostate ablation, namely target region reconstruction, bioheat simulations, and algorithms for cryoprobe layout optimization. The current presentation includes experimental verification of computerized tools.
Bio:
Dr. Yoed Rabin received his B.Sc. (1989) and M.Sc. (1991) in Mechanical Engineering from Ben-Gurion University, Israel. He received his D.Sc. (1994) from the Technion - Israel Institute of
Technology. Dr. Rabin joined The Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA, in 1994 as a research faculty member of the Department of Human Oncology. In 1997, he returned
to Israel to become an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Technion. He joined Carnegie Mellon University in 2000, where he is now holding the position of
Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Over the past 17 years, Dr. Rabin's work has been focused on cryosurgery, cryopreservation, hyperthermia, thermal regulation of biological processes, and
sensors and instrumentation. He has published more than 140 publications in scientific journals, book chapters, and conference proceedings. He holds seven US patents and disclosures on
surgical devices and techniques, based on energy modalities in medicine.
Dr. Samuel Sia,
Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University
Presentation Time: Saturday, April 5th, 2:45 - 3:05, Biomaterials Track
Presentation Title:
New techniques for studying complex 3D cellular microenvironments
Abstract: We will discuss high-resolution microfluidic techniques for controlling the 3D
microenvironments of cells and tissues. In one study, we demonstrate a versatile and fast method for patterning three-dimensional (3D) monolithic microstructures made of multiple (up to 24
demonstrated) types of biocompatible materials, all spatially aligned, inside a microchannel. We will also discuss methods to stably interface 3D microfabricated tissues, as well as microfluidic chips
for studying cells in 3D microenvironments. Taken together, these methods are useful for patterning 3D microstructures composed of different hydrogels and cell types, and can be
potentially used to reconstruct the anisotropy of in vivo 3D microenvironments for studying cell behavior.
Bio: Prof. Samuel Sia obtained his B.S. in biochemistry at the University of Alberta in Edmonton,
Canada. Samuel then obtained his Ph.D. in Biophysics at Harvard University with Peter Kim (located at MIT); his thesis examined the use of protein design to improve the structural
properties of anti-HIV peptide inhibitors. As a postdoctoral fellow with George Whitesides at Harvard, Samuel worked on a number of projects at the interface of materials science and biology,
with a focus on developing simple but powerful microfluidic techniques for biomolecular detection (for tackling global health problems, among other uses). He is a co-founder of Claros Diagnostics,
a company working on point-of-care microfluidic diagnostics. His current work focuses on 3D microfabricated tissues and portable diagnostics devices for global health.
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