Applied Biology and Biomedical Engineering
Faculty Projects
Modelling glutathione RedOx reactions GPX and GR
Catalytic Rates and Its Relationship with Age and Genotype of
Alzheimer's Mouse Model
Professor Alan Chiu
Accumulating oxidative damage plays a key role in reducing the
efficiency of mitochondria and can further increase the rate of
reactive oxygen species production through positive feedback
interactions. It has been commonly accepted that the accumulation
of oxidative damage is partly responsible for Alzheimer's disease
and other brain function related disorders. Our research team has
previously obtained experimental results from wildtype and
transgenic Alzheimer's mice at different ages (1-month, 5-month,
and 11-month), and has found interesting result related to the
sudden unexpected decrease in the steady state of glutathione
peroxidase at 5-months (middle age). The focus of this work is to
create a differential equation model for the oxidative stress
conditions to show how the enzyme-catalytic rate constants may
change over time and how they would impact the metabolites involved
in the glutathione (GSSG) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
phosphate (NADP+). A successful computer model would also help
elucidate the complex interaction between different catalytic
reactions that are involved in Alzheimer's disorder.
Students interested in this work should have the working
knowledge of computer programming and differential equations, as
well as the communication skills to understand and interpret
primary literatures.
Developing Brain-Computer Interface
Demonstrations
Professor Alan Chiu
The explosion of information in the field of neuroscience has
tremendously increased our understanding in the structure and
functions of the brain. This emerging knowledge has enabled novel
treatment options for many neurological diseases and disabilities.
Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is an integrated product of
engineering and neuroscience. BCI can assist people limited by
neurological damage by giving them the opportunity to interact with
the external world and potentially control devices in their daily
lives. In additional to neuroprosthetic rehabilitation, BCI can
also be used in the development of consumer electronics,
entertainment devices, and military applications. To help support
the Bioinstrumentation track in the Biomedical Engineering program,
student researcher(s) will integrate existing electroencephalogram
(EEG) recording and signal processing capability in my laboratory
to different devices for mobility (Wheelchair), entertainment
(Humanoid robot), and military (Drone helicopter) applications.
Students will be involved in developing data acquisition protocol
for imagined motor movement tasks, building software virtual
instruments and electronic interfaces that process information from
EEG electrodes and other sensors, as well as creating demonstration
modules for BE courses.
An examination of virus species and their zoonotic transmission
among wild amphibian and bee populations
Professor Jennifer O'Connor
In recent years, many viruses (such as Hantaviruses and SARS
coronavirus) have emerged in the human population. The emergence of
these new viruses has focused much attention on the monitoring of
viruses and their diseases. Even with all this focus,
the scientific community is unable to predict when and if a new
virus will emerge. The focus of this research is to employ
the techniques of molecular biology to probe for viruses in nature
and to examine their patterns of emergence. Amphibians and
bees both serve as good models to study the emergence of viruses
because the amphibian and bee populations have been declining
globally and at least one family of viruses, the iridoviruses, has
been implicated in mass die-offs worldwide in both
populations. It is important to search for other potential
viral disease threats prior to their emergence in these
populations. This study seeks to investigate the emergence of
viral diseases in amphibians and bees by tracking the prevalence
and transmission of viruses in these populations.
Specifically, iridoviruses are monitored using PCR-based methods in
local (Vigo County, IN) amphibian and bee populations. In
addition, we seek viruses that have yet to be discovered in the
same populations using a PCR-based method using degenerative
primers.
Visual Tracking and Interception of Flyballs
Professor Jameel Ahmed
Coach Jeff Jenkins
Professor John Rickert
How does a baseball player catch a flyball? Several theoretical
models describing how people track flyballs exist, but experimental
data is sparse. Digital imaging technology can be used to gather
real-world data from people at several skill levels applying
different techniques. The images can be processed, analyzed, and
compared to proposed models.
Identification of a potentially novel phytoplasmic
species in variegated White Trillium
Professor J. Peter Coppinger
A population of Trillium grandiflorum (White Trillium)
in southeast Michigan exhibit symptoms typical of infection by a
plant pathogen belonging to an enigmatic group of bacteria called
phytoplasma. While normal White Trillium has large white
showy flowers, the flowers of infected plants have green
petals. While it has long been speculated that green-flowered
White Trillium is infected by a species of phytoplasma, it has
never been confirmed. Since no published information could be
obtained concerning the identification of the infectious agent in
White Trillium, the primary focus of this on-going research is to
determine if a phytoplasmic species is associated with the
symptoms.
Our preliminary results suggest that this phytoplasma species
may be a heretofore undescribed species or subspecies. Using
a modified method of DNA extraction, cloning, 16S rDNA sequencing,
and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), this research aims to
confirm the presence of a phytoplasma associated with infected
petals of White Trillium.
JRSI Orthopaedic Biomedical Engineering Laboratory
Various Faculty, contact Scott Small x8633; smallsr@rose-hulman.edu
The JRSI orthopaedic laboratory is a collaborative research
effort between the Rose-Hulman ABBE department and the Joint
Replacement Surgeons of Indiana Research Foundation based out of
the Center for Hip and Knee Surgery in Mooresville, Indiana.
Projects conducted in the laboratory are joint partnerships between
students, faculty, research staff, orthopaedic surgeons, and
industry. The research program places an emphasis on the evaluation
of surgical techniques and device design in total knee
arthroplasty, partial knee arthroplasty, and total hip arthroplasty
procedures. Investigative techniques include materials testing,
digital image correlation, strain gage analysis, medical imaging
and computational modeling. Recent projects presented by students
at national engineering conferences have included: "A Biomechanical
Analysis of Implant-Induced Cup Deformation in Acetabular Cup
Designs", "Factors Influencing Tibial Loading Following Total Knee
Arthroplasty: A Finite Element Study", and "Biomechanical
Assessment of Tibial Component Slope in Unicompartmental Knee
Arthroplasty". Additional information can be found at www.rose-hulman.edu/jrsi
Postural control following total joint
replacement
Professor Renee Rogge
Pressure-sensitive platforms are powerful tools for assessing
the load distribution on the feet during locomotion. This
low-profile device also captures barefoot plantar pressures that
can be used to analyze high-pressure spots, locate the center of
pressure, estimate the net vertical ground reaction force, and
analyze postural sway.
The student researcher(s) involved with this project will
investigate the effect of total joint replacement (knee and/or hip)
on the postural control of total joint replacement recipients.