Happening @ Michigan https://events.umich.edu/list/rss RSS Feed for Happening @ Michigan Events at the University of Michigan. Resting-State Functional Organization of the Brain in Blindness and Sight Recovery (December 16, 2022 2:00pm) https://events.umich.edu/event/101885 101885-21802611@events.umich.edu Event Begins: Friday, December 16, 2022 2:00pm
Location: North Campus Research Complex Building 10
Organized By: Biomedical Engineering

Abstract:
Reorganization of the human brain after blindness is well-documented, however, subsequent sight restoration can lead to adaptation that is not as well understood. Successful sight restoration therapy must integrate functionally with the visual system for perception to occur. Thus, our study is strongly motivated by the need to understand brain plasticity after regaining vision. In this thesis, I evaluated use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) for vision studies from two angles: 1) from a methodology perspective, I explored the importance of proper data preprocessing on the resulting rsFC outcome, 2) from a neuroscientific perspective, I examined utility of rsFC as a potential metric of blindness and sight restoration.

It has been shown that choice of analysis pipelines can impact the research findings. Therefore, replication studies that aim to reproduce the previously published results are critically necessary. In the first venue of my research, I verified reproducibility of a well-cited published study on ocular blindness using rsFC. By using the original dataset, I utilized another widely used software package to investigate how applying different implementations of the original pipeline or a more rigorous preprocessing stream can alter the outcomes. These alternative workflows changed the distribution of the whole-brain rsFC and functional network densities, reducing the overlap with the original results. Remarkably, the largest rsFC effects appeared to primarily belong to certain connection pairs, irrespective of the pipeline used, likely demonstrating immunity of the larger effects and likely the true results against suboptimal processing. This may highlight the significance of results verification across different computational streams in search of the true findings.

Functional outcome of using Argus II, as the only retinal prosthesis with FDA approval that has been clinically used, can provide an exceptional opportunity to explore brain’s potential for plasticity upon reintroduction of (artificial) vision. Considerable variability in visual performance has been reported across Argus II recipients that remains unexplained. A previous experiment used fMRI to measure tactile-evoked cross-modal responses in visual cortex and reported no significant group-level results between blind and Argus II groups, possibly due to variability in activation baseline across individuals. The rsFC can potentially overcome this issue by providing a more stable metric. Numerous studies have used rsFC to assess cortical reorganization after blindness, nevertheless, it has rarely been utilized to study sight recovery. 

In this study, four resting-state runs from 10 sighted, 10 blind, with severe retinitis pigmentosa, and 7 Argus II subjects were included. The whole-brain ROI-ROI rsFC and some graph theory functional network measures were calculated and compared at the group level. Some quantities decreased after blindness but were not reversed by vision restitution, including visual-visual rsFC, visual-frontal rsFC and some network measures. On the other hand, significant reduction was observed in visual-somatosensory, visual-auditory, visual-motor and visual-association rsFC after blindness that were all returned to the level of sighted individuals in Argus II recipients. These rsFC measures can potentially serve as biomarkers for blindness and sight restoration, in the absence of or as a complement to the behavioral indices.  The proposed metrics can enhance our understanding of variable outcomes among the receivers of sight restorative technologies and enable tracking rehabilitative progress. Future investigation with larger number of test subjects for this rare condition can further unveil the profound ability of our brain to reorganize, following vision restoration.

Committee Chair(s): James Weiland, PhD

Zoom link: https://umich.zoom.us/j/99207257590
Meeting ID: 992 0725 7590
Passcode: 643920

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Presentation Tue, 06 Dec 2022 10:37:24 -0500 2022-12-16T14:00:00-05:00 2022-12-16T15:00:00-05:00 North Campus Research Complex Building 10 Biomedical Engineering Presentation The Biomedical Engineering Logo on a blurred photo of the LBME building at night.
Dissecting a post-translational modification code in cardiac reprogramming (February 23, 2023 3:30pm) https://events.umich.edu/event/105100 105100-21810752@events.umich.edu Event Begins: Thursday, February 23, 2023 3:30pm
Location: Cooley Building
Organized By: Biomedical Engineering

Abstract:
Cell fate conversion is associated with extensive epigenetic and post translational modifications (PTMs) and architectural changes of sub-organelles and organelles, yet how these events are interconnected remains unknown. We report here the identification of a phosphorylation code in 14-3-3 binding motifs (PC14-3-3) that greatly stimulates induced cardiomyocyte (iCM) formation from fibroblasts. PC14-3-3 was identified in pivotal functional proteins for iCM reprogramming, including transcription factors and epigenetic factors. Akt1 kinase and PP2A phosphatase were a key writer and eraser of the PC14-3-3 code, respectively. PC14-3-3 activation induces iCM formation with the presence of only Tbx5. In contrast, PC14-3-3 inhibition by mutagenesis or inhibitor-mediated code removal abolished reprogramming. We discovered that key PC14-3-3 embedded factors, such as Hdac4, Mef2c, Nrip1, and Foxo1, formed Hdac4 organized inhibitory nuclear condensates. Notably, PC14-3-3 activation disrupted Hdac4 condensates to promote cardiac gene expression. Our study suggests that sub-organelle dynamics regulated by a post-translational modification code could be a general mechanism for stimulating cell reprogramming and organ regeneration.

Bio:
Dr. Zhong Wang is an Associate Professor of Cardiac Surgery, at the University of Michigan Medical School. The long-term goal of the Wang laboratory is to develop heart therapies to effectively prolong and improve the life of patients with cardiovascular disease. The Wang laboratory has made significant progress in four research directions. One research direction is to define the epigenetic mechanism mediated by ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling in cardiac progenitor specification and differentiation. Direction two is to define essential cross-talks between energy metabolism and epigenetics in heart repair and regeneration. Direction three is to identify epigenetic and post-translational modification mechanism and related molecules in stimulating reprogramming of fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes for heart regeneration. And direction four is to explore novel strategies combining optimal cardiovascular cell types and bioengineering/biomaterials for heart cell therapy.

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Workshop / Seminar Fri, 17 Feb 2023 12:33:28 -0500 2023-02-23T15:30:00-05:00 2023-02-23T16:30:00-05:00 Cooley Building Biomedical Engineering Workshop / Seminar BME Seminar Series
Dynamic communication networks between regulatory T cells and mesenchymal stromal cells regulate muscle repair and regeneration (March 23, 2023 3:30pm) https://events.umich.edu/event/106476 106476-21814329@events.umich.edu Event Begins: Thursday, March 23, 2023 3:30pm
Location: Cooley Building
Organized By: Biomedical Engineering

Abstract:

Tissue repair and regeneration require a temporally coordinated immune response to clear affected areas and rebuild tissue architecture. To study the dynamic regulation of muscle repair, we generated a time-resolved single-cell RNA sequencing dataset of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in a mouse model of skeletal muscle injury. We built a computational tool to predict the dynamic cellular communication networks between these cell types and found distinct communication pathways during different phases of repair. Using a combination of in vivo CRISPR and genetic mouse models, we validated these interactions and identified novel communication pathways that regulate tissue regeneration.



Short Bio:

Dr. Andrés Muñoz-Rojas is originally from Mexico City. He has a degree in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania. Andrés got his PhD in Biomedical Engineering at Yale University, where he worked with Dr. Kathryn Miller-Jensen using single-cell secretion and transcription technologies to study macrophage polarization in vitro and in tumor microenvironments. He then joined the lab of Diane Mathis at Harvard Medical School as a Postdoctoral Fellow to study tissue immunology and explore the role of Tregs in regulating tissue function.

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Workshop / Seminar Mon, 20 Mar 2023 13:37:03 -0400 2023-03-23T15:30:00-04:00 2023-03-23T16:30:00-04:00 Cooley Building Biomedical Engineering Workshop / Seminar BME Seminar Series
BioArtography Booth at the Ann Arbor Art Fair (July 20, 2023 10:00am) https://events.umich.edu/event/109144 109144-21821126@events.umich.edu Event Begins: Thursday, July 20, 2023 10:00am
Location:
Organized By: BioArtography

BioArtography will be in South University Booth SU1103 (Between E. Univ. and Church) the Ann Arbor Art Fair! Spectacular new images for 2023 will be making their debut!

July 20 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Thu)
July 21 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Fri)
July 22 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Sat)

Every day at the University of Michigan, scientists from many fields work together to study organism development, function and disease. While the goal of these studies is to design new and effective ways to treat disease and provide better understanding of ourselves as well as the world around us, many are also taking the time to share the beauty of their work with others through a program called BioArtography. In the course of research, scientists use special stains to add color to the otherwise transparent tissues. Microscopes then allow detailed observation of the tiny, colorful biological structures revealed in these images. This results in a fascinating combination of art and science that U-M researchers are capturing in pictures taken through microscopes and turning into artworks that would look beautiful on any wall.

The goal of these studies is to design new and effective ways to treat disease and provide better understanding of ourselves as well as the world that surrounds us. Proceeds from the sale of this work help support the training of our next generation of researchers. Past BioArtography sales have raised enough money to send more than 100 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to scientific conferences, where they can present their work to other scientists and make connections that can help them launch their careers in research and industry.

Throughout the year BioArtography images (a collection of over 250) can be viewed and ordered online at www.bioartography.com

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Fair / Festival Thu, 13 Jul 2023 14:11:27 -0400 2023-07-20T10:00:00-04:00 2023-07-20T21:00:00-04:00 BioArtography Fair / Festival 2023 BioArtography Booth Ann Arbor Art Fair
BioArtography Booth at the Ann Arbor Art Fair (July 21, 2023 10:00am) https://events.umich.edu/event/109144 109144-21821127@events.umich.edu Event Begins: Friday, July 21, 2023 10:00am
Location:
Organized By: BioArtography

BioArtography will be in South University Booth SU1103 (Between E. Univ. and Church) the Ann Arbor Art Fair! Spectacular new images for 2023 will be making their debut!

July 20 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Thu)
July 21 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Fri)
July 22 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Sat)

Every day at the University of Michigan, scientists from many fields work together to study organism development, function and disease. While the goal of these studies is to design new and effective ways to treat disease and provide better understanding of ourselves as well as the world around us, many are also taking the time to share the beauty of their work with others through a program called BioArtography. In the course of research, scientists use special stains to add color to the otherwise transparent tissues. Microscopes then allow detailed observation of the tiny, colorful biological structures revealed in these images. This results in a fascinating combination of art and science that U-M researchers are capturing in pictures taken through microscopes and turning into artworks that would look beautiful on any wall.

The goal of these studies is to design new and effective ways to treat disease and provide better understanding of ourselves as well as the world that surrounds us. Proceeds from the sale of this work help support the training of our next generation of researchers. Past BioArtography sales have raised enough money to send more than 100 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to scientific conferences, where they can present their work to other scientists and make connections that can help them launch their careers in research and industry.

Throughout the year BioArtography images (a collection of over 250) can be viewed and ordered online at www.bioartography.com

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Fair / Festival Thu, 13 Jul 2023 14:11:27 -0400 2023-07-21T10:00:00-04:00 2023-07-21T21:00:00-04:00 BioArtography Fair / Festival 2023 BioArtography Booth Ann Arbor Art Fair
BioArtography Booth at the Ann Arbor Art Fair (July 22, 2023 10:00am) https://events.umich.edu/event/109144 109144-21821128@events.umich.edu Event Begins: Saturday, July 22, 2023 10:00am
Location:
Organized By: BioArtography

BioArtography will be in South University Booth SU1103 (Between E. Univ. and Church) the Ann Arbor Art Fair! Spectacular new images for 2023 will be making their debut!

July 20 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Thu)
July 21 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Fri)
July 22 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Sat)

Every day at the University of Michigan, scientists from many fields work together to study organism development, function and disease. While the goal of these studies is to design new and effective ways to treat disease and provide better understanding of ourselves as well as the world around us, many are also taking the time to share the beauty of their work with others through a program called BioArtography. In the course of research, scientists use special stains to add color to the otherwise transparent tissues. Microscopes then allow detailed observation of the tiny, colorful biological structures revealed in these images. This results in a fascinating combination of art and science that U-M researchers are capturing in pictures taken through microscopes and turning into artworks that would look beautiful on any wall.

The goal of these studies is to design new and effective ways to treat disease and provide better understanding of ourselves as well as the world that surrounds us. Proceeds from the sale of this work help support the training of our next generation of researchers. Past BioArtography sales have raised enough money to send more than 100 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to scientific conferences, where they can present their work to other scientists and make connections that can help them launch their careers in research and industry.

Throughout the year BioArtography images (a collection of over 250) can be viewed and ordered online at www.bioartography.com

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Fair / Festival Thu, 13 Jul 2023 14:11:27 -0400 2023-07-22T10:00:00-04:00 2023-07-22T20:00:00-04:00 BioArtography Fair / Festival 2023 BioArtography Booth Ann Arbor Art Fair
Engineering Education Research Seminar (September 21, 2023 2:30pm) https://events.umich.edu/event/112519 112519-21829073@events.umich.edu Event Begins: Thursday, September 21, 2023 2:30pm
Location: Duderstadt Center
Organized By: Biomedical Engineering

Science and engineering are increasingly multidisciplinary. Many researchers encounter career challenges when adopting methods from fields outside their formal training. For example, faculty who shift disciplines need to acquire new skills while fulfilling their mentoring responsibilities to students who join them in the new field. We used collaborative autoethnography to study a tripartite mentoring relationship between an experienced engineering education researcher and two novice education researchers who have backgrounds in engineering—a biomedical engineering faculty member and graduate student. Using data from written reflections and interviews, we explored the role of instrumental and psychosocial supports in our mentoring relationship. We noted how elements of cognitive apprenticeship such as scaffolding and gradual fading of instrumental supports helped novices learn qualitative research skills that differed drastically from their biomedical engineering research expertise. While our mentoring relationship was overall very positive, it has included many moments of miscommunication and misunderstanding. We draw on Lent and Lopez’s idea of relation-inferred self-efficacy to explain some of these missed opportunities for communication and understanding. Our initial mentoring model failed to consider how challenging it is for mentees to make the paradigm shift from technical engineering to social science research and how that would affect a faculty member’s ability to mentor students in a new field. Our experiences have implications for expanding research capacity because they raise practical and conceptual issues for experienced and novice researchers to consider as they form mentoring relationships.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: Dr. Paul Jensen an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Michigan, where he mentors students in systems microbiology, artificial intelligence, and automated science. Paul trained as an engineer and microbiologist at the University of Minnesota, the University of Virginia, and Boston College. He is an ASQ Certified Quality Engineer and co-founder of the biotech company Cerillo, Inc. In 2020, Paul received the Stanley H. Pierce Faculty Award for developing empathetic student-faculty relationships.

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Workshop / Seminar Sat, 16 Sep 2023 14:59:32 -0400 2023-09-21T14:30:00-04:00 2023-09-21T15:30:00-04:00 Duderstadt Center Biomedical Engineering Workshop / Seminar Duderstadt Center
Biomedical Engineering Seminar Series (October 5, 2023 4:30pm) https://events.umich.edu/event/113383 113383-21830905@events.umich.edu Event Begins: Thursday, October 5, 2023 4:30pm
Location: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building
Organized By: Biomedical Engineering

Abstract:
There are profound deficits in how humans, and adults in particular, heal and recover from tissue damage. The alternative to productive tissue healing is the formation of dysfunctional scaring, which underlies chronic degenerative arthritic conditions, chronic autoimmune diseases and the fibrosis associated with the foreign body response to implants. Our clinical translation experiences in orthopedics and plastic surgery yielded the unexpected discovery of adaptive immune cells in the biomaterial response. Distinct pathways of adaptive immunity, T cells together with linked activity of innate lymphocytes, regulate productive versus destructive tissue responses and should therefore be the primary targets of regenerative medicine. Recent data further implicate cellular senescence as a major therapeutically targetable player in local tissue-destructive immune responses and fibrosis. Understanding and subsequent manipulation of the local tissue microenvironment with regenerative immunotherapies and biomaterials is a mechanism by which the effector class and T cell function and senescence can be engaged. We are now working to understand the role of the immune system and cellular senescence in the biomaterial response and repair across different tissues across lifespan.
Bio:
Dr. Elisseeff is the Morton Goldberg Professor and Founder of the Translational Tissue Engineering Center at Johns Hopkins Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Wilmer Eye Institute and is Interim Chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. She was elected a Fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, the National Academy of Inventors, a Young Global Leader by World Economic Forum. In 2018, she was elected to the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine and in 2019 she received the NIH Directors Pioneer Award. In 2022 she was elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and in 2023 a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

Zoom:
https://umich.zoom.us/j/99085426766

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Workshop / Seminar Mon, 02 Oct 2023 14:54:46 -0400 2023-10-05T16:30:00-04:00 2023-10-05T17:30:00-04:00 Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building Biomedical Engineering Workshop / Seminar A speaker talking to a group of students in a classroom.