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Song Ge, Ph.D.
Song Ge obtained his B.S. in physics from Shandong University in China. He then graduated with a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Michigan under the guidance of Dr. Bradford Orr. Song's research work was developing a SQUID imaging system of targeted magneticnanoparticles for use as contrast agents, which adds in M-NiMBS's effort of early-stage cancer detection. Besides, he invented a hydrothermal synthetic route of iron oxide nanoparticles with controllable size and tunable magnetic properties.
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Recent publications:
S. Ge, X. Shi, K. Sun, C. Li, J. R. Baker, Jr., M. M. Banaszak Holl, and B. G. Orr, A facile hydrothermal synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles with tunable magnetic properties, Journal of Physical Chemistry, Vol. 113, p. 13593-13599, 2009
S. Ge, X. Shi, J. R. Baker, Jr., M. M. Banaszak Holl, and B. G. Orr, Development of a remanence measurement-based SQUID with in-depth resolution for nanoparticle imaging, Physics in Medicine and Biology, Vol. 54, p. N177-N188, 2009
Thesis: Development of a SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) Detection System of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Cancer Imaging
Chair: Bradford G. Orr
Committee members: James R. Baker, Jr., Mark M. Banaszak Holl, Luming Duan, Cagliyan Kurdak
In this dissertation, Song Ge presents the development of a SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) imaging system of targeted magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) for use as contrast agents. The contrast agents are functionalized for targeting by the conjugation of the magnetic NPs to folic acid (FA) molecules on dendrimer scaffolds. Cellular internalization is accomplished through the high-affinity folic acid receptors (FARs), which are overexpressed in various human carcinomas. SQUID can be applied to detect signals from the magnetic cores of the contrast agents and hence diagnose the tumor. Based on the magnetic properties of the magnetic NPs, two detection methods were developed: remanence and magnetorelaxometry (MRX).
The remanence measurement-based method detects the magnetic NPs according to the magnetic remanence exhibited by particles that are sufficiently large and possess long relaxation mechanism. Samples were vertically oscillated and horizontally translated each in one-dimension. The system was calibrated with g-Fe2O3 NPs (mean diameter 25 nm) and the detection limit was found to be 10 ng at a distance of 1.7 cm and the spatial resolution was ~1 cm. A theoretical model of this system was proposed and applied to image reconstruction of scanned phantoms with two NP injection spots. The developed SQUID system can determine not only the amount and horizontal position of the NPs, but also their depth in the phantoms.
The MRX technique utilizes the NPs superparamagnetic property and records their time course magnetic decay. The system was investigated by using a number of iron oxide NP products with different mean diameters. The results showed that the MRX signal intensity is sensitively dependent on the size of the NPs. The best detection limit of 300 ng of total iron content was found on using a d = 12 nm Fe3O4 NP sample and this result was supported by computer simulations. To produce magnetic NPs for the MRX study, a synthetic approach of size-controllable Fe3O4 NPs was developed. Accordingly, the magnetic property can be tuned from ferromagnetic to superparamagnetic. In vitro experiments were conducted after functionalization of the synthesized NPs, which showed enhancement in cell targeting of the FA-modified NPs.
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Paul Makidon, DVM, Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering
While earning his DVM degree (1998) at Michigan State University (MSU), Paul Makidon worked on research projects at the Laboratory of Comparative Orthopedic Research and the Endocrinology Section of the Animal Health Diagnostics Laboratory at MSU. He then worked in a clinical practice setting for several years. However, recognizing his deep interest in research, he started the PhD program at the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan (UM) in |
Fall 2005 and earned candidacy in Fall 2007. He works under mentorship of Dr. James R. Baker Jr., Director of the Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences (M-NIMBS). He is concurrently a research fellow with the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) at UM where he is funded from a NIH/NCRR T-32 grant.
Paul Makidon, DVM, PhD is now Research Investigator in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Allergy & Clinical Immunology and as a Clinical Instructor in the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine with a secondary appointment in the Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences. He serves as Director of Vaccine Development at MNIMBS.
Paul is interested in biomedical applications of nanomedicine. He has been actively involved in development of nanoemulsion based, needle-free, nasal spray adjuvant vaccine development for Hepatitis B. His doctoral research project focuses on the development of an antimicrobial nanoemulsion based inhalation therapeutic to prevent infection or treat antibiotic resistant infections in patients with Cystic Fibrosis, a disease that affects more than 53,000 children worldwide. He will continue this research to complete his Ph.D. degree and then hopes to start an academic research career that is similarly clinically oriented,
nanomedicine based
and further examines treatment options that will improve the health status of Cystic Fibrosis patients.
Paul defended his thesis: Tuesday, December 2, 2008, 2:30 PM
Location: 1170A and 1150B BSRB
Chair: James R. Baker, Jr.
Department of Biomedical Engineering Final Oral Examination
Paul Edward Makidon
OIL-IN-WATER NANOEMULSIONS AS MUCOSAL VACCINE ADJUVANTS:
CHARACTERIZATION, MECHANISM, FORMULATION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF A
NANOEMULSION-BASED BURKHOLDRERIA CENOCEPACIA VACCINE
Surface active oil-in-water nanoscale emulsions have been developed as
mucosal vaccine adjuvants capable of producing robust systemic, mucosal,
and cellular immune responses against diverse microbial and recombinant
antigenic proteins. This dissertation examines the development of
nanoemulsion (NE) as a new generation nasopharyngeal adjuvant. Part of
the thesis is organized to address the characterization of NE-induced
immune response and includes the pre-clinical studies of a novel NE-based
recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (HBsAg-NE). Our results suggest that nasal
immunization with HBsAg-NE may be a safe and effective hepatitis B
vaccine. The adjuvant induces specific IgG, mucosal IgA, and a Th1-biased
cellular immunity. Immunogenicity is comparable to the standard
alum-based vaccine. HBsAg-NE is stable for months at elevated
temperatures because of the physical association of NE and antigen and its
stability was enhanced with buffered salt diluents. We also report that
NE-based vaccines do not require specially engineered delivery devices.
The prolonged stability and ease of delivery are direct advantages for use
of NE-based vaccines in developing populations.
We also evaluate the mechanism of NE adjuvant activity. NE promotes
antigen internalization in nasal epithelium and loading into mucosal DC.
Trafficking of the antigen to the submandibular lymph nodes and thymus
occurs within 24 hours of intranasal vaccination. Administration of NE
was not associated with the typical induction of local inflammation or
histopathological changes. Microarray analysis shows the upregulation of
only 1.6% of genes responsible for the production of acute phase
inflammatory cytokines including IL6. Hallmark inflammatory cytokines
such as IL4, and INF- were not measured in nasal secretions. The role of
IL6 in NE adjuvant activity was examined by evaluating immunogenicity in
IL6 mutant mice.
The final component of the dissertation addresses the development of a
NE-based Burkholderia cenocepacia outer membrane protein (OMP) vaccine.
We demonstrate that NE is as a strong mucosal adjuvant for OMP and OMP-NE
protects against experimental lung infections in mice.
Overall, these findings confirm that NE is an excellent mucosal stimulant
and support the further development of nanoemulsions as nasopharyngeal
adjuvants. We conclude that nanoemulsion exhibits all the major desired
characteristics of an adjuvant.
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Christopher Kelly, B.S.
Ph.D. Candidate in Applied Physics
Christopher graduated with high honors in Physics from Oberlin College in 2003. After working for a year at NASA Glenn Research Center on thin film solar cells, Christopher started graduate work at University of Michigan with Professors Orr and Banaszak Holl in 2004. Christopher earned his Masters in Electrical Engineering in 2007 and is working towards his Ph.D. |
in Applied Physics, focusing on the molecular details of the dendrimer-plasma membrane interaction. Christopher has been awarded the Biophysics Training Grant and is a graduate fellow of the Graham Institute for Environmental Sustainability.
Christopher V. Kelly’s Thesis: "The Biophysics of nanoparticles interacting with the plasma membrane"
My research aims to guide the design of nanoparticles for both biomedical applications (e.g. targeted chemotherapeutics) and everyday applications (e.g. tennis rackets and sun screen) by understanding the detailed interactions of nanoparticles with the plasma membrane. In particular, I will discuss the atomistic and molecular-level interactions of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers with model plasma membranes. Previous work has demonstrated that larger and more charged dendrimers induce greater membrane disruption, such as nanometer scale pores that allow cytoplasmic release from the cell. I utilize all-atom molecular dynamics, isothermal titration calorimetry, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, differential scanning calorimetry, and atomic force microscopy, to determine nanoparticle moieties and molecular-mechanisms that facilitate membrane degradation. For example, sixth-generation PAMAM dendrimers have been determined to be a critical size for membrane degradation since larger dendrimers induce a nanoparticle-encased lipid vesicle complex whereas smaller dendrimers primarily flatten on the bilayer.
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Kevin Landmark, Ph.D.
University of Michigan PhD program in Applied Physics
Nanobiology certificate program
Kevin graduated summa cum laude from Michigan Technological University with a B.S. in Physics in 2000, advised by Dr. Robert Weidman. He then spent two years as a test engineer with Visteon, a Tier-1 automotive components supplier, gaining practical industrial experience before deciding to return to academia. |
As a member of the M-NiMBS team, Kevin has successfully synthesized and characterized dendrimer-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for use as targeted contrast agents. Targeted uptake of the devices was verified using visible fluorescence from dye labels on the dendrimers as well as X-ray fluorescence from iron in the iron oxide cores. The latter experiments were conducted at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab. This work has been published in ACS Nano: Landmark, K. J.; DiMaggio, S.; Ward, J.; Kelly, C.; Vogt, S.; Hong, S.; Kotlyar, A.; Myc, A.; Thomas, T. P.; Penner-Hahn, J. E.; Baker, J. R., Jr.; Banaszak Holl, M. M.; Orr, B. G. Synthesis, Characterization, and in Vitro Testing of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Targeted Using Folic Acid-Conjugated Dendrimers. ACS Nano 2008, 2, (4), 773-783.
Kevin's Thesis:
DENDRIMER-COATED IRON OXIDE NANOPARTICLES AS TARGETED MRI CONTRAST AGENTS
by Kevin J. Landmark
Friday, May 16, 2008, 8:30 am, 335 West Hall
Co-Chairs: Mark M. Banaszak Holl and Bradford G. Orr
Other committee members: James R. Baker, Jr. and Roy Clarke
Targeted MRI contrast agents are anticipated to be critical tools in realizing the dream of predictive and preventative medicine. Many approaches have been documented regarding superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as contrast agents and the use of various ligands to actively target them to specific tissues. This dissertation explores SPIONs coated and targeted by functionalized dendrimers for specific uptake by cancer cells via the folic acid receptor (FAR).
Monodisperse SPIONs were first prepared in organic solvents (OC-SPIONs). Amine-terminated generation 5 poly(amidoamine) (G5-PAMAM) dendrimers were conjugated with an average of five folic acid (FA) moieties for targeting and three 6-TAMRA (6T) dye molecules for tracking by optical fluorescence. To minimize nonspecific interactions, the remaining amino groups were neutralized by capping with acetyl (Ac) groups. The resulting polymer units, G5-Ac(102)-FA(5)-6T(3), were used to transfer OC-SPIONs from organic to aqueous media, imparting protection, biocompatibility, optical tracking and targeting in a single step. Following phase transfer, the dendrimer-coated SPIONs (DC-SPIONs) exhibited key properties for effective contrast agents: they retained their size and shape uniformity and exhibited a high saturation magnetization.
The ability of the dendrimer-coated SPIONs (DC-SPIONs) to be specifically internalized by cancer cells overexpressing the FAR was confirmed and quantified in vitro. Targeted uptake of the dendrimer coatings and SPION cores was independently verified by two distinct but complementary techniques: flow cytometry for the dendrimers (6-TAMRA signal) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) microscopy for the SPIONs (elemental iron signal). Using XRF microscopy is unique because it enables quantification of iron uptake at the single-cell level versus analysis on bulk cell samples. The XRF microscopy data reveal a wide variation in iron uptake that correlates well with the uptake distribution from flow cytometry and is consistent with the variability in uptake observed for neat G5-Ac(102)-FA(5)-6T(3).
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Eric Tkaczyk
University of Michigan MD/PhD program
Nanobiology certificate program
Eric Tkaczyk graduated magna cum laude with degrees in mathematics and Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and minors in German and French. Now, he is a fellow in the University of Michigan MD/PhD program. His research interests include flow cytometry, pulse-shaping, coherent control, ultrafast optics, multiphoton microscopy, and their medical applications. Previously, he pursued quantum chemistry |
research in Estonia and multiphoton microscopy in France. In 2006, Tkaczyk won the International Biomedical Optics Society Best Student Paper Award at the Photonics West conference. Estonia and multiphoton microscopy in France. In 2007, he won first prize in the Student Paper Competition at the IEEE International Summer School and Symposium on Medical Devices and Biosensors in Cambridge, England.
Witihin the M-NIMBS, Eric is involved with two-photon, two-color in vivo flow cytometry to noninvasively monitor multiple circulating cell populations. See:
Eric R. Tkaczyk, Cheng Frank Zhong, Jing Yong Ye, Steve Katnik, Andrzej Myc, Kathryn E. Luker, Gary D. Luker, James R. Baker, Jr., and Theodore B. Norris, "Two-photon, Two-color in Vivo Flow Cytometry to Noninvasively Monitor Multiple Circulating Cell Lines," Multiphoton Microscopy in the Biomedical Sciences VI, Proceedings of SPIE 6631, 2007.
Eric R. Tkaczyk, Cheng Frank Zhong, Jing Yong Ye, Andrzej Myc, Thommey Thomas, Zhengyi Cao, Raimon Duran-Struuck, Kathryn E. Luker, Gary D. Luker, Theodore B. Norris and James R. Baker, Jr. In Vivo Monitoring of Multiple Circulating Cell Populations Using Two-photon Flow Cytometry. Optics Communication, 2008, In press.
Eric's Thesis:
FEMTOSECOND LASER PULSE OPTIMIZATION FOR MULTIPHOTON CYTOMETRY AND CONTROL OF FLUORESCENCE
by Eric Robert Tkaczyk
May 1, 2008, 2pm, Duderstadt 1180
Chair: Theodore B. Norris
Other committee members are: Gary Luker, Jennifer Ogilvie, and Duncan Steel.
This body of work encompasses optimization of near infrared femtosecond laser pulses both for enhancement of flow cytometry as well as adaptive pulse shaping to control fluorescence. A two-photon system for in vivo flow cytometry is demonstrated, which allows noninvasive quantification of circulating cell populations in a single live mouse. We monitor fluorescently-labeled red blood cells for more than two weeks, and are also
able to noninvasively measure circulation times of two distinct populations of breast cancer cells simultaneously in a single mouse. We build a custom laser excitation source in the form of an extended cavity mode-locked oscillator, which enhances the two-photon signal strength several fold relative to a commercial laser. This enables superior detection in whole blood or saline of cell lines expressing fluorescent proteins including the green fluorescent protein (GFP), tdTomato and mPlum. A mathematical model explains unique features of the signals including: sub-square law scaling of unsaturated two-photon signal; a sigmoidal sensitivity curve for detection under varying excitation powers; and uncorrelated signal strengths in two detection channels.
The ability to distinguish different fluorescent species is central to simultaneous measurement of multiple molecular targets in high throughput applications including the multiphoton flow cytometer. We demonstrate that two dyes which are not distinguishable to one-photon measurements can be differentiated and in fact quantified in mixture via phase-shaped two-photon excitation pulses found by a genetic algorithm. We also selectively enhance or suppress two-photon fluorescence of numerous common dyes with tailored pulse shapes. Using a multiplicative (rather than ratiometric) fitness parameter, we are able to control the fluorescence while maintaining a strong signal. The importance of linear chirp and power scaling checks on the adaptive learning process is investigated in detail. With this method, we control the two-photon fluorescence of the blue fluorescent protein (BFP), which is of particular interest in investigations of protein-protein interactions, and has frustrated previous attempts of control. Implementing an acousto-optic interferometer, we use the same experimental setup to measure two-photon excitation cross-sections of dyes and prove that photon-photon interferences are the predominant mechanism of control.
This research establishes the basis for molecularly tailored pulse shaping in multiphoton flow cytometry, which will advance our ability to probe the biology of circulating cells during disease progression and response to therapy.
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Almut Mecke, Ph.D.
Clinical Documentation Specialist
F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.
Basel, Switzerland
My career path has taken me from graduate student research in nanotechnology to a job in the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industry. After completing my Ph.D. degree at the University of Michigan in Physics in 2004 and two years of postdoctoral research, I joined F. Hoffmann-La Roche, a large |
healthcare company based in Switzerland. I now work as a medical writer, which means one of my main tasks is to prepare detailed scientific reports about clinical trials designed to establish the safety and efficacy of new drugs. These documents are submitted to national health authorities (e.g. the FDA), who decide, on the basis of the data, whether the drug provides a benefit to patients and should be marketed. A very condensed version of the results of clinical trials is what you find in the leaflet sold with medication.
Although it might seem unusual for a physicist to do this job, in fact, my education at the Nanotechnology Institute at Michigan prepared me well for this position. While there, I was officially enrolled as a graduate student in physics, but I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary group of scientists developing targeted cancer therapeutics. The Nanotechnology Institute brought together this diverse group of researchers from the departments of chemistry, physics, applied physics, biology, engineering and the medical school. It also provided funding, laboratory equipment and expertise. I was able to use my training in physics to contribute to the understanding of the mechanism of how the nanometer-sized polymers we were investigating can enter cancer cells and kill them.
At Roche, much of my work is related to the development of new oncology drugs, although I learn about other disease areas as well. Medical writers do not perform scientific experiments themselves, but we need to be able to interpret data and present large amounts of information in a clear, scientific way. A graduate degree related to life sciences is a requirement, as is a good writing style in English. Most importantly, our work is performed by teams of people with very diverse scientific and personal backgrounds. Drug development draws on many disciplines, such as chemistry, biology, toxicology, statistics, pharmacology, medical science and marketing. Thus, physics at U of M with a nanomedicine application to Roche doesn’t seem like such a big leap any more, does it?
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Mahesh B. Shenai, M.D., M.S.E.
Internship in General Surgery (2005-2006)
Resident in Neurosurgery (2006-2011)
University of Alabama-Birmingham
Interests: neural prosthetics, brain-computer interface, functional neurosurgery
Mahesh B. Shenai was a Howard Hughes Medical Student Fellow at the MNIMBS between the years of 2002-2003. During his fellowship, he utilized the multidisciplinary resources of the |
Institute, to develop a novel platform for the investigation of nanoscale neurophysiology. The MNIMBS was instrumental in allowing him to propose and develop a unique concept, from paper to practice. Dr. Shenai’s work was published in 2003, and is the first documented observation of nanometer level structural changes in electrically stimulated neuronal cells. The work was also presented at the Howard Hughes Institute, and the Society for Neuroscience in 2003. Additionally, Dr. Shenai developed an interest in the nanodesign of microelectrodes, ultimately needed for a successful brain-computer interface.
Currently, Dr. Shenai is a senior resident in neurological surgery, at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He is currently involved in the development of brain-computer interfaces, and the analysis of deep brain stimulation.
1. Shenai MB, Ross DA, Sagher O, “The Use of Multiplanar Trajectory Planning in the Stereotactic Placement of Depth Electrodes”, Neurosurgery. 2007 Apr;60(4 Suppl 2):272-6; discussion 276.
2. Xiao Y, Martin DC, Cui X, Shenai M. “Surface Modification of Neural Probes With Conducting Polymer Poly(hydroxymethylated-3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene) and Its Biocompatibility” Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, February 2006, 128(2):117-130 (ISSN: 0273-2289).
3. Shenai M., Putchakayala K., Hessler J, Orr B, Banaszak Holl M, Baker J Jr., " A Novel MEA/AFM Platform for the Measurement of Real-time Nanometric Morphological Alterations of Electrically Stimulated Neuroblastoma Cells ." IEEE Transactions in Nanobioscience, June 2004, 3(2):111-117.
4. Shenai M., "Myocardial ischemia detection: a time-frequency investigation of intra-QRS changes in the endocardial electrogram." MSE thesis, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University. 2000. Advisor: Dr.Nitish Thakor.
5. Thakral A. and Stein L, Shenai M., Gramatikov B., Thakor N.V., "Effects of anodal versus cathodal pacing on the mechanical performance of the isolated rabbit heart." Journal of Applied Physiology, 89:1159-1164, 2000.
6. Shenai M., Gramatikov B, Thakor N.V., "Computer Models of Depolarization Alterations Induced by Myocardial Ischemia. The Effect of Superimposed Ischemic Inhomogeneities on Propagation in Space-, Time-, and Time-Frequency Domains." The Journal of Biological Systems, December 1999, pp 1-22.
7. Thakor N.V., Iyer V. and Shenai M, "From Cellular Electrophysiology to Electrocardiography." Modeling and Imaging of Bioelectric Activity: Principles and Applications, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers (February, 2004; Hardbound, ISBN 0-306-48112-X) pp 1-42.
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Seungpyo Hong, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Departments of Biopharmaceutical Sciences
and Bioengineering
University of Illinois at Chicago
833 S. Wood St. Rm 355
Chicago, IL 60612
Office: 312)413-8294
Cell: 734)239-3173
E-mail: sphong@uic.edu |
Dr. Seungpyo Hong is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at
Chicago. His group's research focus lies at the interface of materials science, biology and nanotechnology to develop novel polymer-based nanomaterials for biological analysis, diagnostics and therapeutics.
He graduated from Hanyang University, Korea with M.S. (2001) and B.S. (1999) degrees in polymer engineering. After working as a researcher at Korea Institute of Science and Technology, he started his Ph.D. study as a Dwight F. Benton Fellow working with his advisors Prof. Mark Banaszak Holl and Prof. James Baker, Jr. at MNiMBS of the University of Michigan. His research in nanomedicine involved preparation and functionalization of organic nanoparticles such as dendrimers and their interactions with cells, with a particular interest in nanotoxicology and targeted drug delivery. Seungpyo graduated with his Ph.D. in Macromolecular Science and Engineering in 2006 and joined Prof. Robert Langer's lab at MIT as a postdoc. At MIT, he continued in nanomedieince and worked on research projects to develop polymer-based devices which can specifically recognize/sort/kill cancer cells or stem cells using cell rolling behavior. He recently started his assistant professorship at UIC. The nanomedicine / nanobiology training he received at MNiMBS allowed him to integrate his expertise in multiple disciplines to ultimately become faculty at the College of Pharmacy. Dr. Hong has published 19 peer-reviewed papers, over 35 abstracts, and 3 issued or pending US patents. He has received honors from research communities, which includes a 2006 Most-Cited ACS Journal Article, Best Poster Award at the fall 2005 MRS meeting, and the University of Michigan’s Charles G. Overberger Award.
The Binding Avidity of a Nanoparticle-Base Multivalent Targeted Drug Delivery Platform. S. Hong, I. Majoros, B. G. Orr, J. R. Baker, Jr., M. M. Banaszak Holl. Chemistry and Biology 2007, 14, 107-115.
HPLC analysis of functionalized poly(amidoamine) dendrimers and the interaction between a folate-dendrimer conjugate and folate binding protein. X. Shi, X. Bi, T. R. Ganser, S. Hong, L. A. Myc, A. Desai, M. M. Banaszak Holl, J. R. Baker. The Analyst, 2006, 131, 842-848.
Interaction of Polycationic Polymers with Supported Lipid Bilayers and Cells: Nanoscale Hole Formation and Enhanced Membrane Permeability. S. Hong, P. R. Leroueil, E. K. Janus, J. L. Peters, M.-M. Kober, M .T. Islam, B. G. Orr, J. R. Baker, Jr., and M. M. Banaszak Holl. Bioconjugate Chemistry 2006, 17, 728-734. (An ACS Most-Cited Article 2006).
Physical Interactions of Nanoparticles with Biological Membranes:The Observation of Nanoscale Hole Formation. S. Hong, J. A. Hessler, M. M. Banaszak Holl, P. Leroueil, A. Mecke, B .G. Orr. Chemical Health and Safety 2006, 13, 16-20.
The Interaction of Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) Dendrimers with Supported Lipid Bilayers and Cells: Hole Formation and the Relation to Transport. S. Hong, A. U. Bielinska, A. Mecke, B. Keszler, J. L. Beals, X. Shi, L. Balogh, B. G. Orr, J. R. Baker Jr., and M. M. Banaszak Holl. Bioconjugate Chemistry 2004, 15, 774-782.
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Frank Zhong, Ph.D.
Optical Engineer
Pacific Biosciences
Menlo Park, CA
Frank Zhong came to University of Michigan in the summer of 2001 and began his graduate study initially at the Physics Department. While obtaining solid training of fundamental modern physics for the first year, Frank found his interests to explore applications in various branches of engineering. After |
sitting in a presentation given by Prof. Ted Norris, Frank was drawn to a multi-discipline research project ‘in vivo flow cytometry’ to develop an instrument for non-invasive, real-time monitoring of radiation-induced illness in space. After joining CUOS and MNIMBS, Frank worked closely with a group of scientists and researchers led by Prof. Jim Baker on a nanomedieince application. During his graduate study, Frank developed a prototype instrument, which enabled real-time monitoring of biosensors tagged blood cells zipping through blood capillaries near the skin for the first time. Currently, the prototype instruments are used by doctors in the medical school to investigate the dynamics of circulating cells in cancer and other important diseases. The broad research experience at MNIMBS prepared Frank well not only in nanotechnology and engineering competence, but in truly in-depth collaboration with multi-discipline groups as well.
After receiving his Ph.D. degree in 2005, Frank Zhong joined an early stage startup biotechnology company, Pacific Biosciences, based in Menlo Park, CA as an optical engineer. He has been working with a team of scientists and engineers in the development of a transformative single-molecule, real-time (SMRT) DNA sequencing technology, which enables, for the first time, the observation of natural DNA synthesis by a DNA polymerase as it occurs. Most recently, Frank is working on the commercialization of the SMRT technology, with a goal to eventually enable sequencing of individual genomes as part of routine medical care.
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