Every year, 0.8-2 million patients contract a surgical site infection (SSI), inc
Every year, 0.8-2 million patients contract a surgical site infection (SSI), increasing patient mortality 2-11 fold. SSIs are caused by an individual’s own skin bacteria. Hospitals use chlorohexidine gluconate (CHG) products, like CHG IV port and wound dressings that release CHG into the skin via diffusion. We hypothesized that the quantity of CHG released from antimicrobial products would determine the product’s effectiveness in reducing skin bacteria. We tested our hypothesis using a pig model
Damage Properties of Tendons Crosslinked with Genipin
Presenter Name: Madeline Wagner
The mechanical properties were measured for normal and chemically crosslinked collagen tendon structures. The mechanical properties of crosslinked and non-crosslinked tendons provide a greater understanding of collagen damage modes in collagen structures and connective tissues.
Soft lithography fabrication of refractive index-matched hydrogel microdevices for cell culture assays
Presenter Name: Jennafer Marsh
Evaluating the refractive index-matching of hydrogel mixtures used to fabricate microdevices. The microdevices are used to trap single cells so their growth may be measured via quantitative phase imaging. The hydrogel microdevices must match the refractive index of water as closely as possible in order to not interfere with data collected using the quantitative phase imaging.
LED Array Microscope for 3D Refractive Index Imaging
Presenter Name: Rob Lindemann
My research focuses on building, programming, and verifying the use of an LED array microscope for 3D refractive index imaging. So far, I have built the LED array microscope and programmed it to take images under the LED illumination patterns necessary for 3D RI retrieval and several other microscopy techniques, including 2D QPM, brightfield, and darkfield. Currently, I am working on capturing images suitable for the 3D RI retrieval algorithm. A potential application is biological imaging.
Synthesis of Biohybrid Neural Implant
Presenter Name: Sanjana Aujla
The goal of this work is to alter and create a bio hybrid design to construct a functioning neural implant. Because of its biohybrid design, the neural implant is anticipated to greatly reduce the risk of foreign body reactions, including long-term inflammation, bioencapsulation, and electrode corrosion. These electrodes are expected to create synaptic connections for electrical activation and output after passing through axons and into the brain.
Investigation of Polymer Functional Groups and Their Impact on Sperm Viability
Presenter Name: Halli Thompson
The accuracy of sperm viability assessments is essential for informed decisions regarding reproductive health. The impact of lab materials on sperm cell motility remains understudied. Bioassays of sperm motility on lab materials were conducted to determine unusual decline trends. SEM/EDS images were captured to determine potential contaminants within the lab materials. FTIR peaks were analyzed to determine fun