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BioGelLabs conduct research on biostabilization and bioencapsulation

dmso image

Image: Transmitted light image of frozen DMSO solution

We utilize spectroscopic techniques to explore thermodynamic and kinetic phenomena during freezing/thawing, drying, and vitrification of biologicals. We aim at developing better methods to enhance the storage stability of enzymes, cells, and tissues. For example, we are developing novel matrices that enable storage of archival serum samples at room temperature. 

 

encapsulated e coli

Image: SEM image of a bacterium encapsulated in a silica gel

We utilize engineering principles to design and manufacture synthetic-organic materials that are used in bioremediation and biocatalysis. For example, we use encapsulated bacteria to remove hydrocarbons or herbicides from drinking water. 

RAPID

Reaction Activity Prediction IDentification (RAPID)

The RAPID algorithm is an integrated set of analyses used to generate a prediction on the probability that a compound is a substrate, or non-substrate of an enzyme. This is a computational tool that is being developed in collaboration with Prof. Larry Wackett's lab.

 

News

Dr. Diego Escalante sucessfully defended his dissertation on July 19, 2019, and will be starting a post-doc in August. Congratulations, Diego! (07/19/19)

See the two most recent publications from our lab:

D. Escalante, A. Aksan, 2019 “Role of Water Hydrogen Bonding on Transport of Small Molecules Inside Hydrophobic Channels” Journal of Physical Chemistry B  https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b03060

D. Escalante, A. Aksan, 2019 “Prediction of Ligand Transport along Hydrophobic Enzyme Nanochannels” Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal,  17, 757-760. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csbj.2019.06.001

Dr. Joey Benson sucessfully defended his dissertation on March 29, 2019, and started a new job at 3M. Congratulations, Joey! (05/06/19)

Bryan accepted a new position. His last day in the lab will be April 5, 2019. Congratulations, Bryan! (03/31/19)

Pre-print of Bryan's new paper on Dextranol; a new lypophilization agent synthesized by him is available at BioRxiv (12/08/2018)

Joey will be presenting at the 6th International Conference on Multifunctional, Hybrid and Nanomaterials in Sitges, Spain in March, 2019 (12/08/2018)

Sampreeti's new paper on changes in IGG upon freeze/thaw is accepted for publication in European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics (12/08/2018)

Mian's new paper on understanding the kinetics and thermodynamics of damage during warming of cryopreserved white blood cells is accepted for publication in Langmuir (11/07/2018).

Dr. Jonathan Sakkos sucessfully defended his dissertation on September 14, 2018. He is on his way to Lansing to start a post-doc position at MSU. Congratulations, Jonathan! (09/17/18)

News coverage on: Novel platform for investigating quiescence in dormancy-capable cancer cells (10/03/2017)

Sampreeti Jena received her Ph.D. Congratulations! (12/22/2017)