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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250717T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250717T140000
DTSTAMP:20260502T045935
CREATED:20250714T180901Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250716T193549Z
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SUMMARY:ChE PhD Dissertation Defense: Yang Hu
DESCRIPTION:Name: Yang Hu \nTitle: Sex-Based Difference in Schwann Cell Migration in Response to Topography\, Laminin-derived Peptide and Transforming Growth Factor-β1 as in vitro Models for Peripheral Nerve Repair \nDate: 07/17/2025 \nTime: 12:00:00 PM \nCommittee Members:\nProf. Rebecca Willits (Advisor)\nProf. Matthew Becker\nProf. Ryan Koppes\nProf. Eno Ebong \nLocation: 220 Shillman \nAbstract:\nPeripheral nerve repair highly relies on Schwann cell migration within the nerve gap. Repairing a critical-sized nerve gap (~3-4 cm in humans) remains a significant challenge for satisfactory recover outcomes. Facilitating Schwann cell migration for accelerating nerve regeneration has attracted great research interest. This dissertation explores the individual and synergistic effects of different types of external cues: topography\, uniform and gradient of biochemical cues. \nFirst\, this dissertation found that female cells moved faster\, while male cells were more persistent on glass surfaces\, indicating an innate sex-based difference in motility responses. This difference was additionally regulated in both a sex- and diameter-dependent manner by three distinct fiber diameter (0.9\, 1.2 and 1.8 µm) provided by Dr. Becker’s lab (Duke University). The smaller fibers attenuated innate motility differences\, while they reappeared on the largest fiber. \nThe second part of this dissertation harnessed the finding that 1.2 µm fibers did not induce migration differences\, with YIGSR\, a peptide derived from laminin β1 chain\, which can facilitate Schwann cell proliferation and directionally guide cell migration. YIGSR-tethered fiber scaffolds in different profiles were characterized and provided (Dr. Becker’s lab) for conducting migration studies. We found that cells responded in both sex- and concentration-dependent manner to uniform concentrations. Directional cell migration only occurred at specific locations along the steepest gradient\, indicating a competing effect of contact guidance and tethered YIGSR. \nThe third part of this dissertation discovered the role of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in defined profiles on Schwann cell migration. We found that uniform TGF-β1 concentrations enhanced Schwann cell migration in a concentration-dependent manner\, while no directional migration was observed under TGF-β1 gradients. Understanding how TGF-β1 modulates Schwann cell migration provides insights for developing therapeutic strategies and biomaterials that seek to promote nerve regeneration.
URL:https://che.northeastern.edu/event/che-phd-dissertation-defense-yang-hu/
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250721T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250721T160000
DTSTAMP:20260502T045935
CREATED:20250714T180746Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T180746Z
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SUMMARY:ChE PhD Dissertation Defense: William Doherty
DESCRIPTION:Name: William Doherty \nTitle: Stimulating Excitable Cells with Optosomes: Development of a Non-viral Cell Derived Vesicle Capable of Stimulating Excitable Cells in Response to Light Stimulus \nDate: 07/21/2025 \nTime: 2:00:00 PM \nCommittee Members:\nProf. Ryan Koppes (Advisor)\nProf. Abigail Koppes\nProf. Benjamin Woolston\nProf. Rebecca Shansky \nLocation: Shillman Hall 420 \nAbstract: \nFor years\, researchers have studied and developed neuromodulation techniques meant to stimulate and/or inhibit excitable cells both in research and clinical settings. A method to excite cells with light\, termed Optogenetics\, has been researched extensively since its discovery in the early 2000’s. A major constraint of Optogenetics is the expression of the necessary light-gated ion channels most often achieved using a viral vector. While this is not overly concerning in research settings\, clinical applications of optogenetics have been slow to develop as the use of viral vectors in humans presents challenges regarding safety. Additionally\, foreign opsin genes are believed to be a permanent addition to the transfected cells. \nThis dissertation aimed to develop Optosomes; a cell-derived vesicle containing excitatory opsin that couples with excitable cells via Gap-Junctions that conduct the stimulus current from the opsin into the cell. Initial production of Optosomes followed established protocols for producing Giant Plasma Membrane Vesicles (GPMVs) in which small volumes of cytoplasm are encapsulated in a piece of the cell’s plasma membrane. The number of GPMVs produced varied with pH\, cell confluency\, and base medium having a noticeable impact on the number of GPMVs generated. Optosome production required the creation of a stable cell line expressing Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) and connexin-43 (Cx43) proteins required to form Gap-Junctions. Two separate transfections in the series generated a ChR2-Cx43 Hek293 cell line capable of producing Optosomes at a high concentration. Finally\, a mathematical model was built to simulate Optosome stimulation of excitable cells and how changes in the size of Optosomes and cells affect the strength of stimulus generated. The result of these simulations and attempts to stimulate neonatal Cardiomyocytes (CM) in vitro confirmed that the majority of Optosomes produced were too small to generate a stimulus capable of exciting CMs. Production of Optosomes with larger diameters or the use of a different strand of ChR2 is needed to increase the number of Optosomes able to stimulate CMs will be needed moving forward. \nThe results of this dissertation provide the foundation for developing Optosomes as an alternative approach to stimulating excitable cells with light. \n\nWilliam Doherty Northeastern University-Department of Chemical Engineering After spending nearly two years working on the development of a new automated Biomanufacturing system in the Love Lab\, Bill was accepted and enrolled in the PhD program for Chemical Engineering. After finding his home for the next 7 years in the Koppes Lab\, he got to work both on forming his thesis and integrating into the community at Northeastern. In pursuing his Ph. D\, he had started to appreciate how applying mathematical modeling techniques to biological systems offers a whole new perspective when trying to understand the complex innerworkings of the human body. It offered a nice juxtaposition to the time spent in lab running hands on experiments that are less about math and academic prowess and more about technique\, adaptability\, and problem solving in real time. Bill has sed the better part of his twenties working in Research and its why he was so eager to pursue a Ph D as he hopes to work his way into scientist positions overseeing research and development projects. Still residing in Boston\, he hopes to find a position in the New England Area after submitting his Dissertation; staying close to family and friends in the area.
URL:https://che.northeastern.edu/event/che-phd-dissertation-defense-william-doherty/
LOCATION:420 Shillman Hall\, 360 Huntington Ave\, Boston\, MA\, 02115\, United States
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250724T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250724T120000
DTSTAMP:20260502T045935
CREATED:20250723T213250Z
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SUMMARY:ChE MS Thesis Defense: Julie Penn
DESCRIPTION:Name: Julie Penn \nTitle: Development\, Optimization\, and Evaluation of SWIR Emitting QD Imaging Tools \nDate: 07/24/2025 \nTime: 10:00:00 AM \nCommittee Members:\nProf. Allison Dennis (Advisor)\nProf. Bryan James\nProf. Ryan Koppes\nProf. Bryan Spring \nLocation: Shillman Hall 315 \nAbstract:\nShelf-stable fluorescent imaging references are commercially available. However\, they are only available in the visible range (380-700 nm) and the near infrared I range (NIR I\, 700-900 nm). These references are not available within the shortwave infrared range (SWIR\, 1000-1700 nm). SWIR emitting semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have a tunable emission spectrum and are used in a range of SWIR imaging applications. In addition to their adjustable spectrum\, QDs\, particularly lead sulfide/cadmium sulfide (PbS/CdS) core/shell QDs\, are incredibly photostable. This quality makes them optimal fluorophores for SWIR fluorescent imaging references. When the PbS/CdS QDs are embedded in epoxy\, the QDs are contained in a permanent\, shelf stable\, oxygen-free environment. Thus\, a SWIR fluorescent imaging sample is created. By changing the form factor of these objects\, researchers can investigate SWIR imaging at depth\, multiplexed imaging for spectral demixing using a baseline fluorescence intensity measurement. The performance of each tool was evaluated based on the photostability\, the florescence intensity at depth\, and the emission spectrum of the QDs contained within each type of florescence imaging tool. \n\nJulie Penn is currently a 2nd year master’s student studying chemical engineering at Northeastern University. She is studying under the guidance of Dr. Allison Dennis\, and her thesis is on Development\, Optimization\, and Evaluation of SWIR Emitting QD Imaging Tools. Outside of the laboratory\, Julie is a proud and active member of the Boston section of Society of Women Engineers. In 2019 Julie graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology with a degree in mechanical Engineering with a concentration in chemistry and began working at 908 Devices\, a mass spectrometry manufacturer based in Boston\, MA. As a member of the Customer Experience Team\, Julie supported the R&D\, manufacturing\, quality\, and sales departments\, but most importantly the customers by repairing internal and customer-returned mass spectrometers\, answering technical support phone calls\, and traveling around the world to train users on their equipment. She was awarded the 2022 Customer Service Person of the Year for her outstanding support of the 908 Devices sales team. Upon the completion of her degree\, Julie is looking to rejoin the workforce as a materials engineer. She is very excited to start this next journey of her career.
URL:https://che.northeastern.edu/event/che-ms-thesis-defense-julie-penn/
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