D Becker

Investigation of Astrocyte Cell Growth on Metal, Semi-Conductor and Insulator Surfaces

Cell adhesion is a fundamental biological step that can determine overall growth of its cell. The extracellular matrices at the cell-surface interface are known to affect cell adhesion and eventually control growth and differentiation of animal cells [1].Correlation between the cell adhesion and the cell growth is significant in the field of biomedical engineering such as tissue engineering, biosensor development, and etc. In this study, metal, semi-conductive and insulator surfaces are chosen to study their impact on the neuronal cell growth and adhesion. Biosensors can non-invasively record the activity of an antibody, enzyme, or cell by picking up electrical signals from them. Data collection and accuracy can be dramatically improved if there’s no gap at the interface of its host cell and sensory device [2].

A Correlative Microscopy Study of the Nanostructured Surface of Lotus Leaf

The lotus leaf has become a specimen of interest due to its super-hydrophobic and self-cleaning properties. It is believed that these properties originate from the microand nanostructures found on the surface of the lotus leaf. The microstructures, or papillae, cause the trapping of air when in contact with water, which leads to the leaf’s super-hydrophobicity [1]. Researchers in both nanotechnology and the textile industry are seeking to mimic the natural structure of the lotus leaf in order to create self-cleaning fabrics and super-hydrophobic surfaces.

A Novel Method of Resin-Embedding Thin, Flexible Polymer Films for TEM Sectioning

Coated thin polymer films are found in numerous food, drink and medical packaging systems and are used as a barrier to slow the migration of outside contaminants into the product, or the product out of the packaging. Structural visualization is critical to elucidating coating-polymer interactions and in examining the uniformity of coating in production of these films. One method used to analyze these films is cross-sectional TEM analysis. Previous publications have explained methods of preparing metallic substrates [1], solid thin films [2], and rigid multilayer polymers to coat items like camera lenses [3] for cross-sectional analysis. This paper will propose a new method for embedding and sectioning flexible, transparent polymer films that are shown here to be unsuitable for ultramicrotomy and imaging using current techniques.

Rapid Cycling Brassica rapa : A Novel Phytomining Plant

Soil contamination with heavy metals is a major issue facing both industrial and rural regions of the world today. Common soil contaminants include arsenic, lead, cadmium, nickel, copper, zinc, chromium, and mercury (ATSDR 2009). While many of these heavy metals occur naturally in soil in limited amounts, excess accumulation of these elements can be highly toxic to plants and animals. Research has shown that a possible solution to soil contamination may involve growing specific species of plants in the polluted soil [1].

Bergen County Academies: A Model for Graduate-Level Research and Technology in a High School Setting

Since accepting its first class in August, 1992, Bergen Countys magnet high school of choice has emerged as a powerful force in educational reform. This unique school is comprised of individual, career-focused academies which provide a dynamic, specialized, student-centered environment where independent learning and creative problem solving are encouraged at every level. The Bergen County Academies (BCA) began as the Academy for the Advancement of Science and Technology and became the model for the six additional Academies as follows: Business & Finance, Culinary Arts & Hotel Administration, Engineering & Design Technology, Medical Science Technology, Telecommunications & Computer Science and Visual & Performing Arts. The Academies’ mission is to serve as an educational model for innovation and reform in the 21 century.

Encapsulation of Paclitaxel with Glycol Chitosan Nanoaggregates for in vitro Drug Delivery

Paclitaxel (PTX) is a chemotherapeutic agent that induces apoptosis by binding to Bcl-2 (apoptosis stopping protein) and the -subunit of tubulin. PTX is commonly delivered with Cremophor-EL solvent in an inclusion complex called Taxol, which has been shown to cause severe hypersensitivity reactions in chemotherapy patients. In this study, self-assembled nanoparticles were developed as novel excipients to minimize the cytotoxicity of PTX. Fluorescent glycol-chitosan nanoaggregate (GCF) drug carriers were engineered and PTX was incorporated to form a GCF-PTX conjugate [1]. The conjugates, Taxol inclusion complex and Cremophor-EL solvent were all tested for their effects on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells and CRL-1502 human dermal fibroblast cells.

From Histology to Ultrastructure: The Use of Correlative Electron Microscopy in High School Biology Lessons

Introduction High schools and college biology labs have used animal dissection and histology as part of their curriculum for many years. Through these lessons, students are expected to learn proper lab techniques, apply the knowledge gained from lecture and textbooks and identify tissues and macrostructures using their eyes or basic light microscopes. While this is an important educational experience for students, technology can be used to improve upon these lessons and provide students with a more in-depth examination of organs and tissues. The use of correlative microscopic analysis of the dissected tissues, cells and subcellular components will provide students with a more complete experience than basic textbook teaching or labs alone, while at the same time serving to spark a greater interest in the field of science.

Erythropoietin and Breast Cancer Progression: An in vitro Study

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone produced in the kidneys that regulates the production of red blood cells. When a patient is undergoing chemotherapy, anemia often ensues and recombinant EPO is used as treatment. In 2007, the FDA imposed a Black Box Warning on EPO for chemotherapyinduced anemia due to the increased incidence of tumor progression associated with its use in patients with head, neck and breast cancers. Recently, statins, commonly used for the reduction of cholesterol, have been suggested to have antitumor effects and may be a potential treatment option for this tumor progression exacerbated by EPO therapy [1]. The goal of this in vitro study was to evaluate the relationship between EPO and breast cancer and to determine if a common statin, Lovastatin, would have any effect during EPO administration.

A Novel Intracellular Target for Anti-Allergic Medications

Curcumin, a potent spice found in Asian cuisines, has been found to have anti-allergic properties, however; the mechanism of action for these properties has yet to be fully elucidated. Allergic reactions are caused by the release of histamine through the degranulation of mast cells. Degranulation is, in part, from the translocation of polymerized microtubules in a calciumindependent fashion and F-actin ring disassembly in a calcium-dependent fashion; both of which are mediated by the protein RhoA [1].

X-Ray Microanalysis as a Tool for Analyzing Stem Cell Differentiation

Cell culture serves as an important tissue model in research labs, allowing the effects of a treatment to be examined in a reproducible, relatively inexpensive controlled environment. Although 2D cell culture is most common, it does have drawbacks including limited cell-cell interactions and a possible disconnect between cellular behavior in vivo and in vitro. One method that is gaining popularity in response to these issues is culturing cells on a 3D matrix, or scaffold. The polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds available through 3D Biotek are non-toxic, have well-defined pore size and fiber diameter and are free of animal-derived material. In addition, the PCL scaffold is biodegradable, meaning that the scaffold can be introduced into an in vivo system from an in vitro system to examine the true effects on an organism. This study involves the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to analyze the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) into osteoblasts on PCL scaffolds. Differentiation would be indicated by the presence of osteoblast nodules composed of calcium phosphate, a main component of bone tissue.