University of Michigan – TechConnect Briefs

Nitric oxide releasing PLGA microspheres for biomedical applications

Lautner G., Schwendeman S.P., Meyerhoff M.E., University of Michigan, US

In the current work, we encapsulated an S-nitroso species in biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres (with diameter of 20-125 µm) that release nitric oxide (NO) for weeks in a continuous and controlled manner. The rate [...]

Live Cell Membrane in Interaction with Antimicrobial Molecules

Lahiji R., Holl M.B., University of Michigan, US

Molecules in the nano size scale are potentially useful as therapeutic agents due to their size since they can interact in a sophisticated way at the cellular level. Antimicrobial oligomers (AMOs) are unique as they [...]

Towards an asynchronous magnetic bead rotation method for immunological assays

Hecht A., Kinnunen P., McNaughton B., Kopelman R., University of Michigan, US

Much attention has been focused on using magnetic particles for biodetection applications on chip. Most of these applications involve using the magnetic particles either for translational motion in a magnetic field, or as labels for [...]

A Value Chain and Life Cycle Assessment Approach to Identify Technological Innovation Opportunities in Algae Biodiesel

Levine R., Oberlin A., Adriaens P., University of Michigan, US

Global warming and the growing demand for energy and water have spurred efforts to identify carbon neutral transportation fuels. Microalgae are the only lipid-rich biomass capable of offsetting a significant portion of fossil fuel use [...]

A Value Chain and Life Cycle Assessment Approach to Identify Technological Innovation Opportunities in Algae Biodiesel

Levine R., Oberlin A., Adriaens P., University of Michigan, US

Global warming and the growing demand for energy and water have spurred efforts to identify carbon neutral transportation fuels. Microalgae are the only lipid-rich biomass capable of offsetting a significant portion of fossil fuel use [...]

Bioartifical mucosa: delivery of biomaterials to the skin-percutaneous device interface in in vitro human organotypic skin cultures

Peramo A., Marcelo C.L., Goldstein S.A., Martin D.C., University of Michigan, US

The use of medical devices passing through the skin has continued to rise. In conjunction with an increased use of catheterization and a general tendency toward minimally invasive procedures in medicine, the need for rapid [...]

SITumbra – Energy Efficient Structurally Integrated Transparent Shaded Façade System

Giles H., University of Michigan, US

SITumbra is a multi-use transparent structural window system made from a customizable fixed inner structural grid compositely connected to outer transparent window materials. It can be configured to meet multiple material and design specifications and [...]

Discrete Mixing of Nanoliter Drops in Microchannels

Rhee M., Burns M.A., University of Michigan, US

We present the theory, simulations and experiments for discrete drop mixing in microfluidic systems. The generalized analytical solutions have been derived and confirmed by simulations and on-chip experiments. The discrete drop mixing occurs in three [...]

Strategies for enhanced brain tumor accumulation of magnetic nanoparticles for potential drug delivery

Chertok B., David A.E., Yang V.C., University of Michigan, US

The purpose of this study was to elucidate strategies to enhance magnetically mediated accumulation of iron-oxide-based nanoparticles in brain tumors for potential localized delivery of chemotherapeutic agents. In particular, we evaluated administration of the nanoparticles [...]

Gold Nano-Probes as Targeted CT Contrast Agents for In-vivo cancer Imaging

Popovtzer A., Popovtzer R., Agrawal A., Shlomi M., Popovtzer A., Popovtzer R., Balter J., Carey T.E., Kopelman R., University of Michigan, US

This research describes a new class of immuno-targeted and cancer specific CT contrast agents, which enable CT imaging of cancer at cellular and molecular resolution. The method is based on the development of gold nano-probes [...]