Mondays // 4-5 PM // LEEP2 2420

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February 3

Adam Rouse, MD., PhD
Director of Basic Research
Deptartment of Neurology
KUMC

Precise Arm and Hand Movements: Implications for Brain-computer Interfaces

Abstract- In the field of motor neuroprosthetics and brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), our ability to accurately decode neural activity to directly control a cursor, robotic arm, or the subject’s own muscles continues to improve. However, this control remains robotic and limited compared with natural human performance. Most current BCI decoding relies on each neuron having a fixed and linear relationship to a given set of degrees of freedom. In the Precision Neural Dynamics Lab at KUMC, large-dimensional datasets of joint kinematics, EMG, and neural activity are collected and examined to understand how the brain can generate motor output across a broad dynamic range with speed and precision.  In this talk, Dr. Rouse will describe several of his recent experiments involving reaching and grasping that examine both natural behavior in healthy subjects and decoding performance in BCI tasks. He will show how the sequential, non-linear encoding of different features of movement and the temporal dynamics of the brain are critical to understanding natural movement as well as improving BCI design and rehabilitation for paralyzed patients.

 

February 17

Prajna Dhar, PhD
Associate Professor
School of Engineering-Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
KU

EQ vs IQ

 

February 28

Friday 2-2:50 pm in Learned Hall 3150

Daniel Citterio, PhD
Professor
Center for Material Design Science
Department of Applied Chemistry
Keio University

Low-Cost Analytical Devices Made from Porous Substrates: Simple is the Best

Abstract-In the context of ageing societies and general population increase, there is a continuously growing demand for point-of-care (POC) clinical diagnostic tools. The development of assay systems suitable for use by untrained end users is lacking behind. Our group has been focusing on the development of assay devices where required user interaction is limited to the application of the sample and where assay results can be ideally read out by naked eye or by means of a simple colorimetric approach. Porous materials such as cellulosic filter paper and thread serve as the substrates upon which to build an assay. All required reagents are pre-deposited and sample and reagent transport is driven by capillary forces with no need for external pumping. In many cases, conventional drop-on-demand inkjet printing serves as a versatile tool for the precise controlled deposition of assay materials. Examples presented in this seminar include the colorimetric bioluminescence-based detection of antibodies in whole blood, a competitive lateral flow assay for the semiquantitative direct naked eye readout of an urinary oxidative stress marker, as well as the naked eye evaluation of the urinary albumin index for the early detection of renal disease, among others.

Co-sponsored by COBRE Center for Molecular Analysis of Disease Pathways (NIH P20GM103638)

 

March 2

Linheng Li, PhD
Professor
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Stowers Research Institute & KUMC

Stem Cell Biology

 

March 23

Stefan Lohfeld, PhD
Assistant Professor
School of Dentistry
UMKC

 

April 6

Jinxi Wang, MD., PhD
Director
Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics
Department of Orthopedics
KUMC

Articular Cartilage Regeneration: Current Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract- Clinical efforts to repair damaged articular cartilage (AC) currently face major obstacles due to limited intrinsic repair capability of the tissue and unsuccessful biological interventions. This highlights a need for better therapeutic strategies. In both animals and humans, AC defects that penetrate the subchondral bone marrow are mainly filled with fibrocartilaginous tissue through the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), followed by degeneration of repaired cartilage and osteoarthritis. Cell therapy and tissue engineering techniques using culture-expanded chondrocytes or MSCs with chondroinductive growth factors may generate cartilaginous tissue in AC defects but do not form hyaline cartilage-based articular surfaces because repair cells often lose chondrogenic activity or result in chondrocyte hypertrophy. These challenges have promoted clinicians and researchers to seek more effective strategies for AC regeneration which include: 1) the link between AC development and regeneration, 2) new cell sources for AC repair, 3) regulatory mechanisms of AC homeostasis, and 4) novel tissue-engineering techniques such as 3D-printed scaffolds with improved biomaterials, controlled release of chondrogenic factors, and mechanobiology, etc. My presentation will summarize the current challenges and novel strategies for AC regeneration. Our recent finding that NFAT1 and NFAT2 transcription factors inhibit chondrocyte hypertrophy and maintain metabolic balance in adult AC during AC repair will be highlighted. 

 

April 13

Shannon Stott, PhD
Mechanical Engineer
Center for Engineering in Medicine
Massachusetts General Hospital

 

April 20

Laurel Kuxhaus, PhD
NSF Program Director of Biomechanics and Mechanobiology ProgramCivil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation Division

 

April 27

Laird Forrest, PhD
Associate Professor
School of Pharmacy- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
KU

Localizing the Immunological Response