Novel Microfluidic Cell Separation Technology Developed by Northeastern Chemical Engineer

A recent study published by the laboratory of Shashi Murthy, Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering, describes the design of a novel microfluidic cell separation system that can deplete large numbers of cells from heterogeneous suspensions using a serpentine layout of protein-coated channels. This system is being developed as a means to potentially isolate resident stem and progenitor cells from tissue niches by negative selection separation of other cell types. This research was recently published in the journal Lab on a Chip and is part of a broader body of work in cell separation for which Dr. Murthy was recognized with the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award from the National Science Foundation (see related item below).

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High-affinity CB1R Selective Anandamide Analog Proven to Have Discriminative Stimulus Functions in Rats

Alexandros Makriyannis, Director of the Center for Drug Discovery, and Torbjorn Jarbe, Research Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, have published data in the journal Psychopharmacology showing that the molecule AM1346 more powerfully mimics the action of the body constituent anandamide. The rather long duration of action of this new molecule suggests that it could have potential therapeutic implications as a topically applied pain reliever.

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Northeastern University Researchers Discover New DNA Binding Activity of E. coli Protein

Penny Beuning, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and Mark Williams, Associate Professor of Physics, together with postdocs Micah McCauley and Jana Sefcikova and former graduate student Leila Shokri, have shown that the main E. coli DNA polymerase exhibits an unusual single-stranded DNA binding activity. The polymerase binds single-stranded DNA passively, rather than actively unwinding DNA as most other single-stranded DNA binding proteins do, suggesting that the polymerase would only bind DNA unwound by some other cellular process. Because this unusual activity seems to be present only in bacterial polymerases, this work could lead to the development of new antibiotics.

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School of Technological Entrepreneurship (STE) to Launch Biotechnology I-cubator

I-cubators are Northeastern?s new thrust in experiential learning and technology commercialization. They are comprised of teams of students, faculty and dedicated professional staff in a focus area whose purpose is to further develop technology, create product prototypes, evaluate markets and customer needs, and create fundable business plans. This year, STE will be adding its third i-cubator whose focus will be biotechnology. The team?s project will be to market a biosensor, an innovative nanotechnology device derived from the work of Ahmed Busnaina, Director of Northeastern?s Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing. The biosensor will initially be used in the early detection of cancer and in treatment.

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New Faculty Broaden College of Engineering?s Biotechnology Expertise

Northeastern?s College of Engineering is pleased to welcome Dagmar Sternad, Professor of Biology, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Physics and Kai-tak Wan, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. Dr. Sternad performs research in the areas of kinesiology, motor control, and neuroscience with a specific focus on single and multi-joint human movements in perceptually specified tasks. Dr. Wan?s research interests encompass areas in cellular biomechanics, tissue engineering, ophthalmology, micro-electromechanical systems, and micro and nanostructures.

Northeastern Receives Over $5 Million to Conduct Research and to Advance Women in Key Academic Fields

The National Science Foundation has awarded Northeastern a $3.7 million grant to help overcome institutional barriers that limit the advancement of women in key academic fields that include the sciences and engineering. The grant will fund a program that aims to increase recruitment of women, provide opportunities for networking to help advance female faculty, and foster leadership development to oversee these opportunities across university departments. Graham Jones, Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, is a co-principal investigator on the team leading the effort.

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Vladimir Torchilin, Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Director of the Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, has been awarded a $1.54 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to investigate the efficacy of nanocarrier-based pharmaceuticals for drug and gene therapy. Torchilin expects his research will lead to the development of a novel platform for targeted drug and gene delivery within cells and for provoking the effective apoptosis of cancer cells.

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The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded Kim Lewis, Director of the Antimicrobial Discovery Center, one of its $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grants to support his research on targeting latent M. tuberculosis cells. Grand Challenges Explorations is an initiative to help scientists around the world explore bold, new solutions for health challenges in developing countries.

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Of Note


A ribbon cutting-ceremony marked the official opening of the Center for Translational NeuroImaging (CTNI) last week.  Provost Stephen Director and CTNI Director Craig Ferris cut the ribbon in front of members of Northeastern?s biotechnology community and industry guests. The Center will focus on early drug discovery aimed at reducing the risk of Phase II investment through functional MRI, microPET and microSPECT imaging and will prepare students for careers in industry labs.  For information on the Center?s research services, please contact Dr. Ferris at c.ferris@neu.edu.

Rebecca Carrier and Shashi Murthy, Assistant Professors of Chemical Engineering, have each won the NSF?s prestigious Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award for junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research.  Dr. Carrier will study the influence of micro-and nanoemulsions on the absorption of drugs and other compounds into the bloodstream. Dr. Murthy will research microfluidic devices that can separate and manipulate very small numbers of cells for applications in regenerative medicine and clinical diagnostics.

Students John Slusarz, Erin Rush, Trevor Ehret, and Nicholas Goulas, working on a project of the College of Engineering's Capstone Design Program, have helped invent a biotech instrument that has launched a company. The students, working under the tutelage of Jeffrey Ruberti, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, developed coring technology for a special drilling apparatus that will extract frozen biological samples.

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Northeastern University
Biotechnology Initiative

Providing practical solutions to the biotechnology and medical industries through cutting-edge translational research and education.