Current Seed Projects

Electric Cell Impedance Sensing (ECIS) to
Quantify Cytotoxicity of nanomaterials to Human Epithelial Cells

Principal Investigator (PI)
Cerasela Zoica Dinu, Assistant Professor
Department of Chemical Engineering, WVU

Co-Investigator (Co-PI)
Yon Rojanasakul, Professor
Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, WVU

Abstract: By exploiting the naturally evolved sensitivity of cells (i.e., morphology, structure and function) we propose to detect cytotoxicity of nanomaterials with a secondary transducer and in an electronic form, suitable for analysis. The successful completion of our project will lead to novel tools that integrate nanotechnology with biology, and advanced MEMS technology with electrochemistry respectively, finding applications in homeland security, medical diagnostics and environmental protection.

Environmental Sensing Using a Broadly Selective Aptamer

Principal Investigator (PI)
Lisa Holland, Associate Professor
Department of Chemistry, WVU

Co-Investigator (Co-PI)
Letha Sooter, Assistant Professor
Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, WVU

Yolanda Fintschenko, Director of New Technology Sales and Marketing, Labsmith

Abstract: This research will develop new, enabling nanotechnology that employs a rapid and portable separation-based device to study environmental contamination.  The technology is based on broad selection found in nature, in which endocrine hormone receptors respond to natural hormones as well as other chemicals.  The goal is to produce novel aptamers with broad selectivity for the simultaneous determination of multiple analytes.  This strategy is advantageous over current analytical methods that are slow, cannot be used in the field, are applicable only to single-analyte measurement, or fail to confirm analyte identity.  The interdisciplinary research team includes researchers with experience in capillary separations (Holland, WVU Chemistry), aptamer selection (Sooter, WVU Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences), and translation of cutting-edge technology into fieldable instrumentation (Fintschenko, Director of Business Development, LabSmith, Inc.).  The activity supports a new collaboration between WVNano and an industrial partner, graduate student stipends, as well as a new instrument installed in the Sooter laboratory on the WVU-Health Sciences Campus.