CIMA-LSAMP Mentors and Research Areas

Revealing the Cortical Mechanisms of Auditory Goal-Directed Behaviors

Attention remains a neurobiological mystery. Every day, we perceive a barrage of stimuli from the external world. Amazingly, despite this incomprehensible amount of information, animals determine which stimuli they will act upon (e.g., running toward the sound of a prey or running away from the sound of a predator). Such goal-directed behaviors are crucial dynamic links between sensory stimuli and motor actions. The overall goal of this proposal is to investigate how projections from the region of the brain called the posterior parietal cortex to the auditory cortex that influence neuronal activity in the sensory auditory pathway and their implications in abnormal circuitry organization in neurodevelopmental disorder. We will use optogenetic and pharmacological approaches in our research to turn neurons 'ON' and 'OFF'. In doing so, we can observe and manipulate specific subsets of neurons at multiple levels: in slice preparations in vitro, and in anesthetized or awake, behaving animals in vivo. This approach allows us to quantitatively determine how specific subsets of neurons contribute to sensory processing and behavior.

Requirements

• none

Mechanisms of Neuronal Damage During Autoimmune Diseases

Dr. Cardona's research is focused on investigations of the immune-pathology associated with chronic central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and retina) inflammation during multiple sclerosis and diabetes. Dr. Cardona is particularly interested in determining the contribution of myeloid cells to neuronal damage, and examining functional interactions between immune cells, microglia, neurons, and blood vessels, utilizing immunological assays, flow cytometry, fluorescent activated cell sorting, microscopy and molecular biology approaches in murine model of disease and in cell cultures.

Requirements

• none

The Physiological and Biochemical Characterization of the Pathway Leading to the Production of Jasmonic Acid

Plants under insect herbivore attack have evolved various mechanisms to counteract this threat. Among the measures plants undertake to survive with the least damage are the recognition of insect-derived elicitors, production of proteins that block digestion or disrupt intestinal tissue, and the production of defense-related secondary metabolites which directly or indirectly affect the herbivore performance. Lipid-derived compounds (oxylipins), which are activated by elicitors from the insect saliva, represent important signals in this process. However, little is known about the regulation of the pathway leading to the production of jasmonic acid (JA), the most important signal in plant defense against herbivorous insects. The discovery of green leafy volatiles, the green smell of plants, as a volatile signal that facilitates communication between plants shed new light on how plants respond to insect herbivore attack and prepare their defenses. The significance of these pathways is not limited to defense-related functions, but also plays an important role in developmental and other biotic and abiotic processes. The physiological and biochemical characterization of these pathways are major aspects of Dr. Engelberth's research. Besides the metabolic analysis of possible signaling compounds, the molecular regulation of these processes are the major subjects in his research program.

Requirements

• none

Neural and Network Basis for Hippocampal Memory Acquisition and Consolidation

Research in Dr. Jaffe's laboratory focuses on the neural and network basis for hippocampal memory acquisition and consolidation, in both the normal and pathophysiological brain. The current focus of the laboratory is on the effects of stress on network function and how stress affects circuits associated with triggering the replay of recently encoded memories.

Requirements

• none

Understanding the Two Faces of the Human BIGH3 Protein: BIGH3 Roles in Diabetes and Cancer

Dr. LeBaron's research program is focused on the mechanisms that allow eucaryotic cells to interact with molecules of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Central to his research program is the mentorship and career development of underrepresented students and non-underrepresented students at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. Students investigate sectors of cell biology regarding roles of ECM molecules in health and disease. Different cell types collaborate using receptor mediated inter- and intra-cellular signaling to control cellular synthesis of three dimensional proteinaceous ECMs in the creation, repair and regeneration of functional tissues.

An overarching goal in Dr. LeBaron's research program is to better comprehend ECM roles in the regenerative process. One objective is to understand the biology of a proapoptotic ECM protein called BIGH3. His lab's research has shown that BIGH3 is important in the progression of diabetic complications in human renal, ocular and cardiovascular systems. Interestingly, a similar BIGH3 mechanism is intimately involved in human cancer progression, thus explaining his investigative probes of BIGH3 in diabetes and cancer. The lab has recently identified the BIGH3-derived signals that induce apoptosis. Moreover, they now have evidence that a specific cell-surface receptor is involved in the apoptotic pathway, and have linked the pathway to macrophages and TGF-β1. Immediate goals are to delineate the cytosolic pathway that propels BIGH3-mediated apoptosis, and identify targets for diabetic and cancer therapeutic interventions.

The second interest of Dr. LeBaron's research program is in the field of tissue engineering. Previously the lab had generated human-equivalent skin and articular cartilage tissues ex vivo, that is, outside the body using a bioreactor. They are currently exploring the role that BIGH3 plays in generation of engineered tissues, and BIGH3's potential signaling to stem cell proliferation and differentiation in the context of tissue engineering applications. The lab collaborates with a team of cell biologists, biochemists and tissue engineers at UTSA, UT Health San Antonio, and UC Davis in order to best understand ECM and cellular interactions in healthy and diseased tissues.

Requirements

• none

Mechanisms of Pathogenesis in Human Pathogenic Fungi

Student will participate in investigating host-pathogen interactions during infections and elucidating the drug resistance mechanisms.

Requirements

• none

Insect Sensory Reception

How is information stored and transferred by social insects? Dr. Renthal's lab has identified candidate signaling molecules in fire ant colonies, and these molecules will be tested for activity in behavioral bioassays.

Requirements

• Introductory Biology
• Introductory Chemistry

Bacterial Cytoplasmic Protein Complexes

Bacteria contain filaments and microcompartments that are necessary for growth and activity. Dr. Renthal's lab has developed a new high-resolution method, LRET, for measuring molecular-scale distances in living bacterial cells. LRET will be used to study assembly and disassembly of filaments and microcompartments.

Requirements

• Introductory Biology
• Introductory Chemistry

How Complex Neuronal Structure Affects Function

Dr. Santamaria's lab conducts experimental and computational work to study how complex neuronal structure affects function. Participants can get involved in any of the projects in the lab as long as they have the skills and drive to learn new techniques and challenging concepts.

Requirements

• none

Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease is the most prevalent arthropod-borne infectious disease in the U.S. Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, is transmitted to humans (and to other mammals) by the bite of infected ticks. The lab's current research interests are directed towards (1) determining the role of linear plasmid 54 (lp54) encoded genes of B. burgdorferi in the infectivity of mammalian hosts, (2) characterization of the mechanisms of interactions of B. burgdorferi with mammalian host cell surfaces, (3) regulation of gene expression in B. burgdorferi - determining the contributions of Carbon storage regulator A (CsrABb) in modulating signal-dependent gene expression in B. burgdorferi and its interactions with other borrelial regulators of gene expression, and (4) metabolomics of B. burgdorferi facilitating its adaptation to host-specific conditions.

Requirements

• none

Q Fever

Q Fever is caused by Coxiella burnetii, an obligate, intracellular pathogen. Acute Q fever is a self-limiting flu-like illness and is readily amenable to treatment with antibiotics. Chronic Q fever, on the other hand, is not easily treated with antibiotics and results in endocarditis, hepatitis, and pneumonia. The lab's current research efforts are therefore directed towards (1) identification of T cell epitopes of C. burnetii, (2) modification of select C. burnetii antigens to enhance protective T cell response against C. burnetii, and (3) generation of targeted deletion mutants of Phase II C. burnetii for study intracellular trafficking kinetics in eukaryotic cells/cell lines.

Requirements

• none

Dopamine Neurons and Motivated Behavior

The primary emphasis of the lab's research is to identify how stress, learning, and drug-dependent behaviors intersect to influence motivated behavior, focusing on the function of the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system. To address this we utilize a diverse array of experimental techniques in the lab, including fast-scan cyclic voltammetry, optogenetics, chemogenetics, and fiber photometry, using both in vivo and in vitro preparations. The ultimate goal of this research is to identify and reverse the neural adaptations that underlie the aberrant motivational processes in psychiatric disorders.

Requirements

• none

Using Electroencephalography (EEG) to Study How the Brain Processes Language

Development of Matrix Compounds to be Used for Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI)

Dr. Bach's lab focuses on the development of an ideal combination of matrix compounds to be used for Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry that will result in ionizing a broad range of compounds from a sample so that the resulting mass spectrum will be representative of what compounds are in the materials being studied. This will have direct applications to developing accurate molecular profiles of tissues and nanomaterials.

Requirements

• through Organic Chemistry

Optional

• Analytical Chemistry

Methodology and Complex Molecule Synthesis

The development of novel selective and efficient reactions will be followed by their implementation in the total synthesis of biologically active natural products and analogs, with a special focus on compounds targeting cancer. In our search for new reactions we strive to develop catalytic and generally applicable processes with potential to streamline present day synthetic approaches and solve their long-standing problems. In total synthesis we accentuate brevity, efficiency and flexibility in generation of molecular complexity. The lab operates a 1260 Agilent LC/MS, a flash chromatography and a solvent purification systems as well as other state-of-the-art instrumentation.

Requirements

• Organic Chemistry I and lab

Development of Bioinspired Catalysts

The primary research interest in the group revolves around understanding the role of transition metal ions play in small molecule recognition and catalysis in biological systems. Our efforts have been focused on the design, synthesis and characterization of metal complexes as synthetic models for active sites of metalloenzymes involved in carbohydrate recognition, CO₂ activation and hydrolysis of phosphoester bonds. The long range goal is to determine structural/activity relationship and elucidate reaction mechanisms to rationally design new compounds for better future. The current projects are designed to answer questions of potential relevance in the fields of medicine, energy and sustainability via a multi-disciplinary approach including synthetic, inorganic and biochemical techniques.

The projects include:

• Synthesis and characterization of bio-inspired transition metal complex as metalloenzyme mimics
• Study of carbohydrate interaction with transition metal complexes
• Activation of carbon dioxide by transition metal complexes and/or electrocatalytic means
• Hydrolysis of phosphoesters by transition metal complexes

Requirements

• one semester of Organic Chemistry

Studying the Mechanisms of Enzyme Action and Target-Oriented Synthesis

Asymmetric Synthesis of Biologically Active Molecules Using Green Organocatalytic Methods

Since different diastereomers and/or enantiomers of a given molecule may have totally different biological activities, developing novel enantio- and diastereoselective methods for the synthesis of molecules that are of potential biological activities are very important for medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical industry and for the expansion of their chemical space. Our lab is focused on the application of organocatalysts, which are small organic molecules that can catalyze organic reactions, in the asymmetric synthesis of biologically active molecules/scaffolds. The goal is to achieve a highly efficient and highly stereoselective synthesis of these molecules in a green way. Our lab is equipped with polarimeter and chiral HPLC and GC for the identification and separation of chiral molecules.

Requirements

• none

Developing Novel Functional Nanomaterials with Potential Application in Energy, Catalysis, Optics, Sensing, Biology, Electronics, and Environment

Nanotechnology: From Energy Harvesting to Quantum Teleport

Nanotechnology has become a critical field of study for decades by enabling transformative innovations in a wide variety of disciplines of fundamental science, electronics, mechanics, and biomedical engineering. How small is nano? One nanometer is one-billionth of a meter; a sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick, a strand of human DNA is 2.5 nanometers in diameter, and a human hair is approximately 80,000-100,000 nanometers wide. However, nanotechnology means much more than simply being so small.

Dr. Ethan Ahn, a faculty member of Electrical Engineering at UTSA, is conducting numerous research on nanotechnology to create novel nanoscale materials and devices for machine learning, robotics, quantum computing, and energy-harvesting applications. Participating students will work under Dr. Ahn's supervision to gain hands-on research experience on these research areas in Nanotechnology.

Requirements

• none

Mechanobiology of Surface Modified Titanium Implants for Orthopedic Applications

The osseointegration of implants is directly related to their surface chemistry and topography. In the following project we explore the mechanical biology of how bone cells adhere to commonly used titanium materials. This project will introduce the student to techniques including in vitro human cell behavior, live cell imaging, quantification of cell adhesion biomarkers, and material characterization tools. The outcome of this research are to enhance the clinical success rates of implants used in orthopedics and explore fundamental cell adhesion processes.

Requirements

• Bioscience I
• Calculus I
• Chemistry I

Optional

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology

Image-Based Modeling of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Abdominal aortic aneurysms are balloon-shaped expansions of the abdominal aorta, which grow as an asymptomatic condition and carry an overall mortality rate greater than 80% when they rupture. The assessment of their risk of rupture is done in the clinic by measuring its maximum diameter from contrast-enhanced computed tomography images. This one-size-fits-all approach is not always reliable as there are small aneurysms that rupture and large aneurysms that remain stable for years.

This project will introduce the student to image processing techniques and computational modeling algorithms that are used to follow a pipeline that starts with the acquisition of clinical images and ends with the creation of computer models of patient-specific aneurysms, which are used for wall mechanics and geometric modeling analyses. The primary outcome of this research is to discover new markers for rupture risk assessment that can be derived from the clinical images, thereby making use of the standard of care for patient follow-up.

Requirements

• Bioscience I
• Calculus I
• Physics I

Optional

• Calculus II
• Statics and/or Mechanics of Materials
• knowledge of CAD software such as Autodesk, SolidWorks, or equivalent

Small Animal Vessel Mechanics

In this project, we investigate the role of pentagalloyl glucose (PGG) on the suppression of abdominal aortic aneurysm growth. Suitable mouse aneurysm models are used until euthanasia at which time the aorta is harvested for subsequent biomechanical testing. Mouse aortas are mounted on a pressure-inflation apparatus to evaluate their change in diameter as a function of intraluminal pressure increments. The experimental data is then used to generate stress-strain curves characteristic of the mechanical properties of the specimens.

This project will introduce the student to mechanical testing protocols with ex vivo tissue specimens and the fundamentals of solid mechanics. The primary outcome of this research is to characterize mathematically the mechanical properties of mouse abdominal aortas with and without the application of PGG to assess the role of this compound in suppressing aneurysm growth in an animal model.

Requirements

• Calculus I
• Physics I and lab

Optional

• Calculus II
• Mechanics of Solids
• Statics and/or Mechanics of Materials

Mechanical Properties and Behavior of Nano/Bio Materials

Atomistic Modeling of Materials

Water Resources Systems Analysis, Management, and Planning

Growing Blood Vessels to Enhance Bone Tissue Engineering

One of the major challenges involved with tissue engineering bone, is that blood vessels from the body take a long time to grow into bone grafts. We attempt to solve this problem by starting with highly porous ceramic materials which function like sponges and use cells from fat tissue to regrow vessels within the biomaterials.

On this project you will learn how to prepare biomaterial scaffolds, image the scaffolds, conduct cell studies and molecular testing to understand whether blood vessel networks are formed successfully.

Requirements

• Bioscience I
• Calculus I
• Chemistry I

Optional

• Cell Biology
• Physics I

Bioprinting 3D Teeth to Replace Teeth That Have Fallen Out

Many people suffer from edentulism (where teeth loosen and fall out) because of poor gingival health, bone quality in the jaws or due to diseases like cancer. Currently, these cases are treated using metal implants that support crowns. We are attempting to 3D print living cells inside materials to form novel biological tooth implants.

On this project you will learn how to use CT scan images to design 3D printed teeth, develop biomaterial "inks" to 3D print cells and materials in appropriate shapes and conduct cell culture studies to evaluate cell growth and development.

Requirements

• Bioscience I
• Calculus I
• Chemistry I

Optional

• Cell Biology
• Physics I

Solid State Device Physics

Fiber Optic Communications

Mechanical Properties of Arteries

The research project involves the experimental measurement of microstructure and mechanical properties of arteries.

Requirements

• Statics and/or Materials lab

Design and Prototyping of a Novel Endotracheal Tube

Students will be assisting the development of one of two devices.

The first is a Military Suction System for clearing airways during battlefield trauma. Currently available devices are either too bulky or insufficiently powerful for combat medics to carry. We are working with active and retired combat medics to develop a system optimized for their use.

The second project involves development of an IV patency alarm originally invented by medical doctors at UT Health San Antonio. When IVs slip out of a patient's vein, they deliver concentrated saline solution and/or drugs to the subdermal space, causing large, painful chemical burns. In infants, this can be fatal. Our lab is developing a 2nd generation prototype with a minimal footprint that can be readily commercialized and utilized in modern hospitals.

Requirements

• none

Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Statistical Learning, and Digital Signal Processing

Physical Human-Robot Interaction

Projects will involve: 1) design and development of an active joint brace; 2) effect of surface stiffness on the energy expenditure of walking; and 3) design and development of passive ankle prosthesis.

Requirements

• basic knowledge of CAD
• willingness to learn different softwares or working with different instruments

Mobile Robotics

Research projects will focus on: 1) mobile robot navigation and control; 2) floor cleaning robots; 3) human-assistive robots; 4) multi-robot swarm systems; 5) vision, intelligence, and control of humanoid robots with human-robot interactions; 6) robot design using 3D printing; 7) quadcopter control and localization; 8) underwater robotics; 9) surface robotics; 10) solar-powered robots; 11) virtual reality simulation of physical systems; 12) artificial intelligence and machine learning; and 13) cloud computing.

Requirements

• none

Optional

• arduino
• CAD
• electronics
• hardware
• software

Analysis and Design of Control Systems

Embedded Controls for Mobile Robotics

Tracking Primary Sources of Fecal Pollution in Edwards Aquifer

Requirements

• none

Microbial Contamination in Texas Waterways Following Hurricane Harvey

Requirements

• none

Finite Element Modeling of Structures

This project involves using the commercial finite element code Abaqus to model fracture of metals and composites. Students will also get an account and run on the UTSA high performance computer Shamu.

Requirements

• knowledge of CAD software such as Autodesk, Solidworks, or equivalent

Safety and Reliability of Suspension Bridge Main Cables

Friction and Fracture of Corroded High Strength Steel Wires

Macromolecular Bio-Interfaces for Cell Manipulation

Biologically Inspired Drug Delivery Systems

Engineered Nano Embedded Zeolites for Enhanced Removal of Water Pollutants

Inorganic contamination of surface water and groundwater supplies is an emerging environmental and public health concern. Metals can enter the water supply through the natural erosion of soil and rocks; however, the majority of metal pollution comes from anthropogenic sources such as industrial, agriculture, mining, e-waste, and military operations. Higher concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and As all pose potential health risks.

This research studies two types of nanoparticle systems: 1) nano titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and 2) nano titanium dioxide/molybdenum disulfide nanosheets (TiO₂/MoS₂) into zeolites and examine how these materials remove Pb, Cd, As, NO₃, PO₄, methyl orange and phenol from water using flow through column experiments. These materials have the potential to improve water quality through enhanced adsorption, selectivity, and kinetics; help with compliance of state and federal drinking water regulations; and reduce treatment costs.

Requirements

• none

Quorum Sensing of Microbial Communities

One of the main causes of economic losses to the petroleum industry is metal corrosion caused by microbiological activity in addition for water treatment membrane fouling can occur to do microbes. There is inadequate understanding of the microbial species or mechanisms that influence microbial corrosion/biofilm production and even less on methods to detect or prevent it.

The goal of this project is to perform quorum sensing pathways in order to develop applications to regulate biofilm formation.

Requirements

• none

Implementation of a Low Impact Development Test Bed at UTSA Main Campus, with Dr. Marcio Giacomoni

Land use change and urbanization alters the natural flow regime of watersheds, impacting the environment and ecosystems. When the natural land cover is transformed to parking lots, rooftops, roads, and sidewalks, impervious covers decrease the natural infiltration rates and increase the runoff generation substantially. As urbanization increases so does the negative impacts of stormwater. Therefore, new research is needed to create sustainable urban water systems and management. In order to make these systems sustainable multi-faceted approaches are needed that incorporate technical, scientific, economic, social and environmental knowledge.

This projects focuses on implementing a LID test bed to assess the stormwater treatment of bioretentions and sand filter basins at The University of Texas at San Antonio main campus.

Requirements

• none

Nanomaterials and Biomaterials

Proteoglycans and Age-Related Bone Fragility Fractures

The objective of this project is to elucidate the role of proteoglycans in age-related deterioration of bone quality using in vivo animal models and in vitro experiments. The student(s) is expected to help the lab to conduct the experiments and process the data.

Requirements

• Bioscience I
• Bioscience II
• General Chemistry I

Digital Model of Trabecular Bone

The objective of this project is to develop a digital model that is representative of real trabecular bone structures and can be used in clinical diagnosis and tissue engineering applications. The student(s) is expected to help the lab to develop the computer code and/or perform experimental analysis using 3-D printing techniques.

Requirements

• Calculus I
• Calculus II
• Technical Physics I

Development of a Photonic Crystal Biosensor

Quantitative measurements on biomolecular affinity and binding kinetics are essential to gain insight into fundamental biological processes and to serve as the basis for disease diagnoses and drug discoveries. There is therefore an increasing demand of biosensors for sensitive, accurate and high throughput assays of critical biomolecular interactions. For measurements of small molecules and/or at low concentrations, biomolecular detection usually requires labeling (such as fluorescent tags). However, fluorescence based biosensing has certain limitations, because the conjugation of the fluorescence tags may alter or inhibit the functionality of the target molecules. Thus, tremendous effort has been devoted in recent years to the development of label-free detection techniques for monitoring the binding of analytes in their natural forms. Despite the fact that a variety of label-free biosensors have been invented, it is still challenging for real-time, label-free detection of small molecules due to limited sensitivity; one of the biggest technical issues encountered in most label-free methods.

This project is to address the challenging issues for the unmet demand of label-free biosensors.

Requirements

• none

Computational Modelling and Simulation of Collective Cell Migration

In this project, we investigate the role of cell-cell interaction on collective cell migration behaviors. Computational models will be developed and implemented into computer simulation software. All simulations will be performed in high performance computer systems.

Requirements

• none

River Habitat Use by Fish and Other Aquatic Organisms

Changes in land use at the watershed scale can have severe impacts on aquatic organisms by modifying available habitat. A first step in predicting how organisms respond to changing land use is understanding their habitat preferences. The goal of this project is to survey the available habitat in a short river segment, determine whether organisms are preferentially choosing different habitat types, and determine which habitat components influence organism choice. Methodology will include habitat surveys and field sampling of aquatic organisms.

Requirements

• none

Connectivity Patterns and Disruptions in Urban Stream Systems

Urban development can fragment stream systems by imposing barriers to upstream movement of organisms and downstream movement of organisms, nutrients, and organic matter. Potential barriers include culverts, check dams, and road crossings. Fragmentation of rivers impedes organism movement and alters ecosystem processes such as nutrient processing, and can thus threaten population persistence of fish and other organisms. Identifying connectivity barriers is a first step to managing impacts. In this project, potential barriers will be mapped in small watersheds in the San Antonio region and classified as full or partial barriers to upstream and downstream connectivity. Mapping and classification will be accomplished through a combination of GIS analysis and field verification.

Requirements

• none

Effectiveness of Stormwater Treatment Facilities on the UTSA Campus

Treatment of stormwater runoff from urban areas is important for protection of water quality in local waterways and the Edwards Aquifer. In this project, students will assist in collection, processing, and analysis of stormwater samples collected upstream and downstream of treatment works on the UTSA campus. The work will inform whether treatments are effective at improving water quality of stormwater runoff.

Requirements

• none

Satellite-Based Remote Sensing Applications for Polar Regions and Natural Disasters

Dr. Xie studies the cryosphere and natural disasters using satellite-based remote sensing and geospatial technology (Geographic Information System), to analyze large scale spatial patterns and changes. In particularly, for polar regions, laser altimetry, radar, and optical imagery will be used to classify sea ice type, measure sea ice thickness, map sea ice edge (such as the fast ice edge of McMurdo Sound, Antarctic), and map water bodies on ice shelf/glacier due to summer melting; for national disasters, satellite data will be used to rapidly identify the most damaged areas through mapping night-light declines due to power outage, evacuation, and property/facility damage. Two natural disasters: Hurricane Harvey in south Texas (August 2017) and the earthquake near Mexico City (magnitude 7.1, September 19, 2017) will be used as examples.

Requirements

• Basic Physics
• Statistics
• computer knowledge

Materials Science of Thin Films, Microdevices, and Photovoltaics

Dye-Mediated, Light-Induced Conformational Changes in Globular Proteins

Energy in the form of photons, whether from solar, lasers or other light sources, is a fantastic trigger for many biophysical events. Some of these events are natural (e.g., photosynthesis) but other are nature-mimicking so that photon energy can be converted into other events such as mechanical or electrical mechanisms. Our group has been pioneering the use of visible light to prompt conformational changes in proteins mediated by non-covalently docked dyes. The function of proteins is intimately related to their structure. The goal of these studies is to use the conformational changes to 1) better understand the relationship between function and structure of certain proteins and 2) prompt conformational changes capable to produce non-native (i.e., artificial) properties in proteins. The project will focus on characterizing physical and chemical changes in the proteins using optical spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.

Requirements

• Physical Sciences or Life Science major

In Silico and In Vitro Experiments on Water Channel Proteins

In silico experiments range from visualizing molecular structures of cell membranes and channel proteins to building atomistic models to running simulations on supercomputers. The objectives are to elucidate physics of biological systems and to build bridges from the stochastic dynamics of atoms to the functional behavior of cells. In vitro experiments involve observing and measuring how cells swell and lyse under control to validate the theoretical predictions from in silico experiments.

Requirements

• none

Gold Nanoparticles for Photothermal Therapy Applications

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging cancer types to both diagnose and treat, with a one-year survival rate of only 20%. Photothermal therapy using gold nanoparticles is one promising avenue for treatment of this cancer. Currently, we are carrying out basic research into the photothermal properties of gold nanoparticles in different surroundings in order to determine the best methodological approach for photothermal therapy in the pancreas.

As a CIMA student, your role will be to carry out experimental measurements of the temperature changes which occur when nanoparticles are irradiated with light under different conditions. You will work with a UTSA graduate student who is carrying out computer simulations to predict the light absorbance of the nanoparticles and the temperature map that they produce. You will compare your experimental data with these predictions and work together to fine-tune the model so that experiment and theory agree.

Requirements

• none

Laser Assisted Synthesis of Nanoparticles

The use of light, including lasers, in the synthesis of nanomaterials has been a continuous area of interest due to its ability to control shape, size and composition of nanomaterials. The main advantage of the laser assisted synthesis methods is the possibility to fabricate surfactant-free with an accessible surface, rendering them attractive materials for solar cell, catalytic and biosensing applications.

Students will design experimental conditions to synthesize nanomaterials through the use of a pulsed laser, study their properties, and then investigate their application in the areas of energy or biomedical research.

Requirements

• General Chemistry

Optional

• Biology
• General Physics

Nanoparticles as Remote Light Converters for Biomedical Applications

Aside from the ability to detect and record optical signatures (e.g. imaging) from nanomaterials, some nanomaterials such as upconverting nanocrystals can serves as "internal" light sources, which can be switched by near infrared light sources. Offering deeper penetration depth these nanoparticles can be used for biomedical applications ranging from photodynamic therapy to light triggered on-demand drug release.

Students will synthesize and design composite nanoparticles and then study their optical signatures to determine their efficacy for future biomedical applications.

Requirements

• General Chemistry

Optional

• Biology
• General Physics

Studies of Corrosion and Materials Synthesis