Gemstone Team Research

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/9070

The Gemstone Program at the University of Maryland is a unique multidisciplinary four-year research program for selected undergraduate honors students of all majors. Under guidance of faculty mentors and Gemstone staff, teams of students design, direct and conduct significant research, often but not exclusively exploring the interdependence of science and technology with society. Gemstone students are members of a living-learning community comprised of fellow students, faculty and staff who work together to enrich the undergraduate experience. This community challenges and supports the students in the development of their research, teamwork, communication and leadership skills. In the fourth year, each team of students presents its research in the form of a thesis to experts, and the students complete the program with a citation and a tangible sense of accomplishment.

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System Analysis for a Fusion Propelled Spacecraft
(2024) Chen, Yuca; Dorris, Zachary; Gallardo, Antonio; Gupta, Aroni; Hoffman, Caleb; Humphreys, Austin; Mejia, Jeremy; Wiedman, Alexander; Sedwick, Raymond J.
Nuclear-fusion-based power generation has a multitude of potential applications, one being spacecraft propulsion. The extreme specific impulse achievable with fusion prod- ucts provides for large total momentum changes while using substantially less propellant. Several auxiliary subsystems are required to support the application of fusion-based power to spacecraft propulsion. These subsystems include one for efficient propellant heating, one for power generation, and one for reactor shielding and structural integrity. Two centrifugally-confined magnetic mirror configurations are utilized, one to confine the fu- sion plasma and one to trap and heat an auxiliary propellant in order to increase thrust. Estimates on propellant mass requirements and design constraints on the propellant cham- ber are derived. Power generation techniques utilizing byproduct radiation from the fusion process are integrated into the reactor structure. Waste heat from neutron power conver- sion provides preheating of propellant, and a radiator was optimally sized for removing the remaining waste heat. Solid-state thermionic power conversion technology is explored to utilize bremsstrahlung radiation. Models for the magnet shielding are created, and the rate of neutron absorption and energy deposition for several different shielding materials are de- termined. In order to address the tensile and compressive stresses resulting from the fusion reactor magnets, support beam cross-sections are optimized. A system of heat pipes, mag- nets, and an enclosing shroud is designed to support reactor functions and prevent damage to system components. Comparisons are drawn between existing propulsion systems and a model fusion system. The viability of our model fusion system for solar system exploration is discussed.
ADDRESSING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE: ALOE VERA’S POTENTIAL FOR BACTERIAL INHIBITION AND DERMAL FIBROBLAST PROLIFERATION
(2024) Mansoor, Iman; Rangachar, Nimisha; Lim, Natalie; Arango, Nadia; Tesfamariam, Ruth; Mohommed, Joshua; DeBus, Alexandra; Noguera, Mateo; Thangavelu, Aditi; Cao, Kan
Antimicrobial resistance has been an emerging global issue over the last several decades. Acquired resistance renders antimicrobial agents useless, with a recent report projecting ten million deaths by 2050 caused by drug-resistant infections. In response, research output on biomedical and public health solutions to AMR has significantly increased, including investigations on active compounds in medicinal plants. Aloe vera is known for anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and cell proliferative properties stemming from its anthraquinones, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. In this review, Team Aloesporin applied qualitative and quantitative techniques to characterize the state of AMR awareness and discuss Aloe vera’s capacity for serving as an antimicrobial, wound-healing agent. First, a public opinion survey was distributed at the University of Maryland, College Park to assess community knowledge of antimicrobial resistance and related practices. Aloe vera’s potency was then investigated through a minimum inhibitory concentration assay with Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Lastly, a cell proliferation assay was designed for dermal fibroblasts with 2.5% w/v Aloe vera, 100 nM methylene blue, and 100 nM bacitracin-supplemented media. Though the public opinions survey provided insight into the gaps in knowledge surrounding antimicrobial resistance and consumer practices, the preliminary bacterial and dermal fibroblast assays yielded inconclusive results regarding Aloe vera’s respective antibacterial and proliferative effects. This research suggests a need for further investigation of the optimal state and concentration of Aloe vera for wound-healing and effective antimicrobial stewardship to address the escalating issue of antimicrobial resistance.
Vehicle-to-Vehicle Charging: Prototype Development and Future Potential
(2024) Hatz, Garett; Modh, Samarth; Scarpelli, Levi; Beaudoin, Brian
As widespread electric vehicle (EV) adoption faces hurdles due to limited charging accessibility, this research explores the potential of Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) charging technology, particularly for residents in multi-unit dwellings. To assess the feasibility of this concept, we constructed a functional V2V charger prototype through multiple iterations. Using various Arduino projects focused on PWM and charging circuits, we achieved a successful V2V charger prototype, enabling data collection to inform future advancements in this promising technology.
Enhancement of Detection and Diagnosis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Through The Improvement of Machine Learning and AI Models
(2024) Beshaw, Yael; Cancro, George; Chang, Darren; Fomengia, Jayda; Mehta, Vanshika; Vedantham, Arjun; Yaragudipati, Ritvik; Feizi, Soheil
Due to low survival rates and an unparalleled burden of non-small cell lung cancer on underserved communities, there is great urgency for innovative and accessible methods that will improve healthcare access for lung cancer patients. To combat this inequity, Team DOC aims to develop an AI model that is able to not only improve lung cancer diagnoses but also predict the progression of non-small cell lung cancer. We intend to evaluate the performance of a convolutional neural network on the LIDC-IDRI dataset and retrain the final layers of the model to improve its performance on the same dataset. Repeating this process on different model architectures allows us to determine which model performs optimally, providing a foundation to develop an end-to-end explainable AI workflow that can extract clinically relevant predictions of cancer progression for further analysis. Throughout our training process, we resolve to address the accuracy and potential for bias. Additionally, we are carrying out a survey among underserved populations and communities to discern the need for our improved cancer detection model. We hope that our model will be able to be implemented in communities with lack of access to healthcare systems to bridge the gap between underprivileged communities and unbiased care.
Analyzing Honey Bee Flight with Event-Based Vision
(2024) Fatima, Ayman; Harrington, Kalonji; Kukadia, Riya; Lynch, Matthew; Majumder, Zain; Mathur, Rohan; Park, Daniel; Strucko, Richard; Taeckens, Elijah; Traska, Stefan; Tremba, Matthew; Horiuchi, Timothy K.
An estimate of bee hive activity allows beekeepers and researchers to better understand trends in a colony’s health. This work presents a system utilizing an event-based vision sensor (e.g., Dynamic Vision Sensor, or DVS) to track flying bees in real-time with the intent of accurately monitoring the flow of bees in and out of an Apis mellifera colony. Neuromorphic event-based vision sensors like the DVS are well-suited to the detection of small, fast-moving bees with minimal latency due to the asynchronous pixels. Rather than processing and transferring full images, these pixels detect changes in brightness independently, only sending updates where movement occurs, dramatically reducing the computational load. Using this spatio-temporal input, event-based algorithms are able to track fast-moving bees in real-time to determine the position of the bee relative to the hive entrance, and by defining a boundary, count the number of bees leaving and returning. Due to the sensor’s temporal resolution, the flapping bee wing can be observed in flight and its wingbeat frequency can be estimated during tracking in real-time. To evaluate the proposed event-based tracking system, a side-by-side comparison with a frame-based camera at an active colony was performed. Real-time tracking of trends in bee activity should provide early warning signs of problems such as robbing, swarming, absconding, etc. Detailed analysis of wingbeat frequency may eventually provide a real-time detection system for invading insects.
Microplastic Analysis and Removal in Industrial and Natural Ecosystems
(2024) DiGiorgio, Josh; Ginsburg, Alana; Grafstein, Julia; Hobbs, Cameron; Moore, Lindsey; Pang, Robert; Pereyra, Jonah; Zabel, Fiona Quin; Yonkos, Lance
Numerous methods have been developed for microplastics isolation and quantification in various environmental media, many of which require elaborate or expensive analytical equipment and decontaminated lab space. This study seeks to create a reproducible and economical method for isolating microplastics in surface water that rely on Nile Red staining. We use a Nile Red pre-staining step prior to sample digestion, density separation, and filtration to mitigate downstream in-lab contamination before quantification of microplastics via fluorescent microscopy. To test the method, we collected replicate surface water samples from several reaches of an urban stream in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, USA seasonally for one year. The proposed sampling and quantification method found some success in these surface water samples with specific microplastics (≥20 μm) able to be enumerated.
Pharmaceutical Innovation through Laser Lithography Strategies
(2024) Akintoba, Anjola; Boegner, Mark; Fleischmann, Scott; Knudsen, Lars; Lau, Fuk-Lam; Levisohn, Tani; Schwartz, Jillian; Shah, Devki; Wehland, Mark; Sochol, Ryan
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus is an autoimmune disease which targets the body’s immune system, leaving individuals at risk of worse infections, such as AIDS. Currently, HIV is treated via drug cocktails limited by synthesized particle size, architecture, material composition, and lack of controlled drug release. Advancements in additive manufacturing through the use of Direct Laser Writing (DLW) and biodegradable structures have allowed for new methods of drug cocktail delivery. This project utilizes additive manufacturing to develop a biodegradable capsule with geometry that can be easily modified to control the release of the HIV drug cocktails. A mixture of PEGDA 250 and PETA was optimal for fabricating microcapsules, a teardrop design was tested for shell performance, and microchips facilitate targeting liquid to the shell. Our research shows promise towards the delivery of medications via controlled release mechanisms by allowing for continuous administration of medication to maintain the therapeutic window.
Prototyping a Programmable Matter System
(2024) Armyn, Lucas; Lee, Joshua; Lim, Mateo; O'Leary, Eric; Pervez, Wasif; Tsegaye, Hanock; Raspa, Sierra; Chen, Po-Yen
Programmable matter is well-researched from a theoretical perspective, but existing prototypes are yet to demonstrate all possible functionalities. This project aimed to create a functional system of self-assembling robots by integrating ideas from various projects. Areas of interest were the robot shape, electronics, actuation/latching method, wireless communication, and assembly algorithm. Electropermanent magnets were thought to be viable for latching with minimal power requirements, but material availability issues and insufficient magnetic force output were obstacles to successful actuation. Standard solenoids were considered as an alternative but also unsuccessful due to low magnetic force output. Currently, no alternative for actuation at this prototype’s scale has been found. An assembly algorithm was created that succeeds in small-scale situations required by the prototype, but would have issues being scaled; alternatives have been identified but not implemented. Overall, this prototype system was not functional but discovered important limitations on actuation previously considered theoretically viable.
Cleaning Up Clean Energy: Sustainable End-of-Life Practices for Photovoltaics
(2024) Correll-Brown, Riordan; Didriksen, Ashley; Du, Vincent; Fagan, Eric; Ganley, Shannon; Hanspal, Vikram; Horvath, Ryan; Shockley, Steven; Zhou, Christine; Yang, Bao
As the first generation of large-scale solar installations begins to reach the end of their 25-year lifespan and solar power becomes more prevalent, solar waste is becoming an increasingly pressing global issue. Solar panels are difficult to disassemble and often end up in landfills, where they leach toxic metal compounds into the environment after disposal. Solar panel recycling can help ameliorate these environmental impacts, but existing recycling techniques often employ harmful chemicals or thermal treatments, which produce undesirable byproducts. This project aims to address environmental concerns associated with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) removal, one of the most challenging aspects of solar cell recycling. EVA is an adhesive polymer that joins the glass, silicon solar cell, and backsheet layers together. In this work, we investigate the effect that five chemical alternatives to toluene have on EVA. Gasification and pyrolysis are also explored as an alternative to chemical dissolution methods. Mass loss data and qualitative observations of post-treatment indicate that the chosen solvents can effectively aid in panel disassembly, with some demonstrating results similar to toluene. This project identifies multiple solvents that are promising candidates for the chemical treatment of solar cells for recycling purposes, whose environmental impacts are lower than those currently used in industry. However, the findings also underscore the difficulty of developing a solar panel recycling process free from harmful chemical waste and demonstrate the need to design panels with recycling in mind, especially through the use of alternative encapsulant and backsheet materials.
Anti-pancreatic Cancer Effects of Novel Artemisinin-containing Nanogels
(2024) Trivedi, Mukti; Pierpaoli, Elisa; Fox, Noam; Stewart, Warren; Guralnik, Kayla; Barski, Elizabeth; Oberoi, Natasha; Delavari, Delyar; Lowe, Tao
Pancreatic cancer has a 12% five-year survival rate in the United States, making it the fourth deadliest cancer. Current treatment options include chemotherapy with and without radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or surgery; however, these options have limited success due to low efficiency and adverse effects. In this research, we investigate the efficiency of a proprietary technology NanoART631 (PCT/US2023/019974) invented by our advisor Dr. Tao Lowe and her collaborator Dr. Curt Civin in treating pancreatic cancer. NanoART631 is a nanogel system composed of thermoresponsive poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) and biodegradable dextran-lactate-2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate, encapsulated with an artemisinin (ART) dimer with a molecular weight of 631 Da. NanoART631 previously demonstrated effective killing of human leukemia cells and sustained the release of ART631 for more than one month in the Lowe lab. However, NanoART631 has not been tested in regard to pancreatic cancer. In our study, we used Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) to characterize the chemical structures of NanoART631s containing different amounts of ART631: 0, 2, 5 and 10 wt%. We also used Zetasizer Ultra to characterize the hydrodynamic particle size, polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta-potential of NanoART631s in water and two culture media for human pancreatic PANC-1 and MiaPaCa2 cells. The results showed that NanoART631s were monodisperse with hydrodynamic diameters between 100 and 230 nm and PDI <0.25 at 37 oC and both the cell culture media decreased the particle size and there was no difference of the effects of the two cell culture media on the particle size. The magnitudes of the zeta potential of 0, 2, 5 and 10 wt% NanoART631 in water at both room and body temperature were consistently below 20 mV. In both cell mediums at body temperature, the magnitudes of the zeta potential of 0, 2, 5 and 10 wt% NanoART631 were consistently below 5mV. We additionally used MTT assay to study the cytotoxicity of NanoART631s to PANC-1 and MiaPaCa2 cells as a function of concentration and determined the effectiveness of NanoART631s in killing the two cells by calculating their IC50s. The IC50s of NanoART631s containing 2, 5 and 10 wt% ART631 were between 20 and 200 nM depending on the cell type. The effectiveness of killing the both human pancreatic cancer cells increased with increasing the amount of ART631 in the nanoparticles. The NanoART631s have potential as an effective novel therapy to treat pancreatic as well as many other cancers.
Evaluating the Perceptions of Disordered Eating in Men and Its Impacts on Health-Seeking Behaviors
(2024) Clark, Kaili W.; Corn, Julianna; Kassaraba, Roman E.; Noonan-Shueh, Ellee; Mendez, Daniel; Pulliam, Maya M.; Aparicio, Elizabeth
Disordered eating (DE) is a term that captures all maladaptive attitudes and behaviors around food consumption, often as a result of poor body image. The continuation of DE can progress into an eating disorder (ED), which results in inadequate nutrition. Individuals with ED are also at a higher deposition for developing psychiatric and medical comorbidities. Current research on DE and ED has historically centered on skinny, White, affluent girls (SWAG), inherently excluding marginalized identities from the majority of existing literature. Furthermore, there exists a severe gap in knowledge regarding ED and DE in boys and men. Factors that contribute to this gap include the underdiagnosis of ED, stigma towards masculine identities, barriers to care, and health literacy. The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between the negative perceptions associated with DE and ED and its impact on the prevalence of DE symptoms and ability to engage in health-seeking behaviors among young men and those with marginalized identities. Data on DE, stigma, access to health care services, and general help-seeking was collected from a sample of college-aged undergraduate students at the University of Maryland, College Park (N = 257). Participants assigned male at birth (AMAB) were roughly twice as likely than participants assigned female at birth (AFAB) to be seen as weak for having a mental health problem (OR = 1.996, 95% CI = 1.10-3.62, p = .023). Findings indicate a cultural adherence to hegemonic ideals of masculinity which is a major aspect contributing to the stigma surrounding ED/DE in males. With the focus of this study being on a campus community, destigmatization efforts in male spaces and educational wellness resources that target at-risk individuals should be implemented. Future studies may examine the benefits and efficacy of such intervention and educational programs.
Utilizing Green Walls for In-Situ Greywater Treatment
(2024) Abdel-Motagaly, Hajar; Bao, Hannah; Malhotra, Abhishek; Pohland, Ryan; Querubin, Shane; Simmons, Melody; Tikekar, Uma; Kriesberg, David
Agricultural industrialization in the 21st century has presented acute strains on freshwater globally, and population growth has driven modern farming practices towards the overuse of already scarce water resources. This coupled with the increased popularity of water-intensive green infrastructure has led to the focus of this project: integrating greywater recycling through vegetated walls to minimize freshwater use and promote sustainable wastewater management. By selecting wetland species accustomed to a saturated environment, we designed walls that were well suited to absorbing the varied contaminants of greywater, which was modeled after effluent from sources like laundry machines, showers, and dishwashers. We evaluated the treatment performance of the walls through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) guidelines for pH, turbidity, total organic carbon (TOC/NPOC), total nitrogen (TN), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and plant health was monitored through qualitative metrics. The development of green walls with region-specific native plants may allow for greater accessibility in communities local to Maryland, and may be used in future applications of green infrastructure planning.
Challenging the Fast Fabric Industry: A Zero Fabric Waste Campus
(2023) Bloch, Margot; Chang, Mia; Esuke, Alexis; Fallen, Kira; Gallagher, Kayleigh; Senthil, Mina; Zheng, Stephanie; Furst, Mary Beth
The fast fashion industry creates environmental, humanitarian, and economic problems by selling inexpensive, poor-quality products, causing pollution during and after manufacturing, and encouraging throw-away culture. This research aimed to understand industry forces and consumer behavior while developing a process for diverting textile waste from landfills. Data gathered through surveys revealed cost as the leading factor among college students in clothing purchases. Additionally, students were deterred from sustainable habits such as upcycling and mending their own clothes due to a lack of time and skill. However, they were willing to make changes to behaviors as long as it was convenient. We also tested the feasibility of establishing a zero-fabric waste campus by collecting textiles and sorting them for redistribution for upcycling, donation, and recycling. The goal was to create a comprehensive blueprint for residential communities like universities to recreate a system as convenient as curbside recycling. More than 700 pounds of textiles were collected and diverted from landfills by donating them back to community organizations and giving them a second chance. As a result, we provided a channel for college students to act on their knowledge of fast-fashion clothing. This zero-fabric waste system has the potential to be highly successful given the attitudes of students determined in our research, who will drive change as a more environmentally conscientious generation.
CONTROLLING A NON-INVASIVE UPPER- LIMB PROSTHETIC DEVICE VIA A MACHINE-LEARNING ASSISTED BRAIN- COMPUTER INTERFACE
(2023) Fadul, Nora; Ghaemi, Seyed Mohammad; Gresh, Nicholas; Gurwitz, Zachary; Liu, Wensen; Lopez, Daniel; Mittu, Nikhil; Patel, Abhay; Shah, Khadija; Wolcott, Micaela; Deane, Anil
The goal of our research was to improve the accessibility of current upper-limb prostheses. We aimed to maintain non-invasive aspects of an Electroencephalography (EEG), use affordable material and resources, and match the accuracy and control of conventional prostheses alongside improved training methods. Our process began with us designing a method of data collection that uses a 3D-printed headset with dry electrodes to record brain signal data through EEG software. We then analyzed the signals, applied preprocessing to reduce noise, and used machine learning (ML) models to classify EEG signals with respect to specific actions such as the opening and closing of a hand. Finally, we constructed a 3D-printed hand that is actuated by servos with Arduino to demonstrate the physical actions interpreted through analysis, and we leveraged novel techniques to build a virtual reality (VR) environment to serve as a tool for prosthetic rehabilitation. We successfully met the goals set for data collection and prosthetic arm actuation. Additionally, we have created a functional algorithm for action prediction but were not able to achieve the desired accuracy. Overall, we achieved our primary goal of collecting brain signal data, analyzing that data through an algorithm, and actuating a prosthetic arm with actions interpreted from the brain signals all in real-time. Moving forward, there is room to increase accessibility and quality of prostheses through further development of non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) based technology for 3D-printed prostheses and VR environment prosthetic models.
An Investigation of the Effect of Curved Cantilever Geometry on Piezoelectric Power Output
(2023) Brady, Ian; Esuke, Mikaila; McCarthy, Liam; Samson, Catherina; Sebastian, Rithik; Wedzielewski, Mark; Yadav, Sanjali; Blanton, Rick
Team PISO recognizes an urgent need for new niches of environmentally sustainable energy, and believes that piezoelectric materials offer a small part of a solution. With this consideration, Team PISO has focused on the process of optimizing the application of strain on a piezoelectric component by altering the dimensions of a cantilever beam. Future research in this avenue could focus on a computational model based off of the experimental data collected herein, or more focused optimization of a selected cantilever profile. In the long term, PISO’s research could be applied to energy harvesters to reclaim power from vibrations and deformations, such as sounds and footsteps, as a novel source of renewable energy for implementation in public, heavily-traveled areas. This paper investigates the relationship between the geometric shape of a piezoelectric cantilever structure and its power output from discrete impulses. To this end, Team PISO created several curved cantilevers to examine the impact of the geometry of a piezoelectric cantilever on its output. These cantilevers were tested on an apparatus that simulated the movement of a footstep and their power outputs compared. PISO concluded that convex cantilevers were the most effective, with the convex spherical geometry outputting 24% more power than the control rectangular geometry.
ORBIT: Orbital Repairs By Innovative Technology
(2023) Allee-Press, Lacey; Bindra, Navkaran; Cha, Leo; Dacey, William; Akin, David L.
The University of Maryland’s Space Systems Laboratory has a long history with multiple design projects for small single-person spacecraft (SPS) intended for extravehicular operations. Since the SPS concept has been criticized as differing from teleoperators, suited-missions, and other space utility vehicle (SUV) models only by the ability of the operator to have direct vision (“eyes-on”) of the worksite, “hands-on” interaction with the worksite, and simultaneous use of robotic arms. Testing will focus on identifying performance differences between the methods. To quantify effectiveness for each option, we performed a Fitts’ Law tapping task in three hands-on environments: shirt-sleeve, space-suit arms, and SPS suit-arms, as well as two robotic control environments: one with direct eyes-on vision, and one using video screens for teleoperation. After each series of tasks, participants completed a short survey including the NASA Task Load Index (TLX) as well as a Cooper Harper rating. We hypothesized that a combination of hands-on control and eyes-on robotic control will be the most suitable design for an SUV. Experimentally, we found that within the hands-on control environments (shirt-sleeve, suit arms, SPS arms), there is not much variation in task difficulty, but that these environments were much easier to control than the robotic control environments. Among the robotic control environments, subjects performed better overall when using direct eyes-on vision, as opposed to teleoperation. Our findings suggest that combining eyes-on and hands-on interaction is both important and significant in SPS design and handleability.
Evaluating Physicochemical Properties of Poly-vinyl Pyrrolidone (PVP) Hydrogels for Local Delivery of Lipoproteins in Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)
(2023) Liu, Cindy; Evensen, Ella; Patel, Aashka; Thales-Mogo, Nandi; Asfaw, Deborah; Bui, Julia; Deslouches, Jakobi; Lee, Isaiah; Kapoor, Ria; Al-Sheikhly, Mohamad
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a fast growing, malignant tumor that develops from the glial cells that support the health of the nerve cells that affect the brain and spine. GBM has a low survival rate with minimal drugs/treatment options available. The purpose of our research was to seek potential innovative solutions to the challenges surrounding the treatment of GBM; particularly, we were interested in exploring a novel drug-delivery treatment that could be used in future GBM therapy. Through the use of Poly-vinyl Pyrrolidone (PVP), we aimed to develop a hydrogel with specific biomechanical properties that would contain lipoprotein-encased chemotherapeutic drugs; the idea being that these hydrogels would provide an ideal sustained released over a set amount of time. Using varying polymer concentration, molecular weights, and radiation doses, we tested the physical and chemical properties while simultaneously testing the kinetics of release of lipoproteins in each hydrogel.
DISRUPTION OF E-CADHERIN PROMOTES INTESTINAL STEM CELL PROLIFERATION IN COLONOIDS
(2023) Arpon, Aaliyah; Bell, Michaela; Brown, Katie; Forsberg, Alisa; Krishnan, Ananya; Margolis, Ryan; Marhefka, Laura; Yang, Jerry; Yardi, Isha; Jin, Younggeon
Reconstitution of the wounded epithelium is integral to achieve the full healing of the gut mucosa in treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The ability of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) to indefinitely self-renew while generating new functional epithelia makes them a potential therapeutic tool for IBD. Transmembrane protein E-cadherin, a calcium dependent cell-to-cell adhesion protein at adherens junctions, also regulates the Wnt signaling pathway. The canonical Wnt (β-catenin dependent) pathway is vital for the ISC homeostasis and regeneration. However, the role of E-cadherin in ISCs is an important yet notably understudied phenomenon. Disruption of E-cadherin increases unbound cytosolic β-catenin levels, which go to the nucleus and increase transcription of Wnt target genes. We hypothesize that disrupted E-cadherin will increase proliferation of ISCs. In our experiments, we disrupt E-cadherin with different concentrations of EGTA, a calcium chelator, and see the effect it has on colonoid growth and development. Our experiments showed that with EGTA there was greater proliferation; 1 mM EGTA experimental groups had larger colonoids than vehicle control colonoids on day 6 after seeding. This indicates that EGTA treatment may induce proliferation of the organoid with E-cadherin disruption. For future study, we will check and confirm the disruption of E-cadherin/β-catenin complex and Wnt target genes by real-time PCR and immunofluorescence studies. Ultimately our study will open novel therapeutic applications for patients living with IBD and other clinic inflammatory gut disorders.
Expansion of Polyurethane Foam in Low Pressure Environment for Space Debris Removal Applications
(2023) Cai, Edward; Green, Ethan; Kavuturu, Aravind; O'Neill, Finnegan; Shedleski, Joseph; Yang, John; Young, Robert J.; Zakaria, Muhamad; Sedwick, Raymond
As the privatization of space flight has led to an increased number of rocket launches and a new era of space exploration, the issue of space debris is becoming a well-researched phenomenon. With more emphasis on future extraterrestrial missions, such as NASA’s Artemis and SpaceX’s Mars missions, there is a growing concern surrounding the unsustainable practices that create space debris. Although there is a plethora of papers discussing the sources of space debris, as well as its negative impacts on the future of space flight, there are comparatively fewer papers discussing active debris removal methods. This study focuses on one such method - namely, using spray foam to remediate space debris. Spray foam has the advantage of being low-cost and multi-use, which differs from most other active removal methods. To determine the viability of spray foam in space debris removal, this study tests the expansion of polyurethane foam in vacuum, a poorly documented characteristic in current literature. From a sample of 20 tests, a maximum volumetric expansion ratio of 53 was found. The resulting discussion focuses on spray foam’s efficacy as an active debris removal method from these observations.
Exploration of a Viral Protein for Cancer Therapy
(2023) Carter, Victoria; Funk, McKenzie; Johnson, Jordan; Lanasa, Dominic; Loewenstein, Eva; Luo, Katherine; Patel, Grishma; Shih, Eileen; Sofola, Rotimi; Srinavasan, Sruthi; Zhang, Yanjin
Cancer is a group of malignant diseases and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Current treatments can be invasive and nonspecific, therefore killing healthy cells along with cancerous cells. In many types of cancers including lymphoma, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is upregulated and regarded as a risk factor for its enhancing tumorigenicity. Thus, STAT3 is a target for cancer therapy. In this project, we explored a viral protein called nsp5 that induces the degradation of STAT3 to develop cancer therapeutics against lymphoma. We cloned the nsp5 gene into a retroviral expression system and determined its expression. Replication-defective retrovirus particles were packaged and used to deliver nsp5 gene into the lymphoma-derived cells. The nsp5 effect on downregulation of STAT3 and tumor cell growth were determined. These results demonstrate that the viral protein can be explored for further preclinical development for potential tumor therapeutics.

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