Anthony Awojoodu - Advisor, Ed Botchwey, PhD

Mobilization and Engraftment of Long Term Hematopoietic Stem Cells with S1P Receptor Signaling

Harnessing the body’s regenerative system is dependent on the ability to control the location & activity of stem cells. Current strategies to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells are expensive, timely and often ineffective. Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a signaling lipid active in a vast array of biological processes. We have shown that S1P receptor regulation mobilizes HSC into circulation without affecting their ability to engraft & repopulate.

Didi Eze - Advisor, Valeria Milam, PhD

Exploring Locked Nucleic Acids as a Reversible Biomaterials Assembly Tool

Oligonucleotides have potential as a programmable biomaterials assembly and disassembly tool. LNA is a promising nucleic acid analog due to its reportedly low cytotoxicity. Past work has focused on reversing DNA-linked assemblies (in the absence of cells) through thermal denaturation steps. Here, we focus on programming the assembly and disassembly of LNA-linked colloidal particles via competitive hybridization events under isothermal conditions. The Graduate and Post-Doc (GaP) Seminar Series is a weekly event of biotechnology related research presentations by two graduate students or post-docs of IBB and is co-sponsored by BME. It is held every Wednesday at 12:00pm in IBB 1128 and refreshments are provided. If your research group or department would like to present at future seminars, please contact Manu Platt, PhD.