Bioengineering Seminar by Faculty Candidate
Dr. David A. LaVan, National Institute of Standard and Health

Date and Time: April 3, 2014 @ 1:00 PM
Location: ENGR 3507
Title:    Artificial Cells:  Mimicking and Optimizing Cell Functions

Abstract

                I will present work on the use of synthetic protocells to study cell interactions along with the use of micro-technologies to measure cell and biomaterial properties. We would like to understand how the electrical, mechanical and biochemical properties of a cell affect its function using a reduce system to eliminate unknowns associated with its complicated environment.  We have been creating easily modifiable artificial cells that allow for direct control of constituents and cell properties to study their role on cell function and interactions.  I will show work related to artificial cells that mimic natural electrogenic cells and membranes followed by work on an artificial cell designed to inactivate viruses and will introduce our newest research direction with artificial cells.


Biosketch

David LaVan received a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Florida and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from The Johns Hopkins University.  He did post-doctoral training with Bob Langer at MIT working in bioMEMS and biomaterials and was a member of the faculty at Yale University before moving his laboratory to NIST in 2008.  He is currently a Project Leader at NIST working on the development of high-rate, high-sensitivity nanocalorimetry sensors as well as the development of artificial cells as a means to mimic basic cell functions and to measure and study carefully controlled cell interactions.


Claudia Borke
Program Administrator
Volgenau School of Engineering, Department of Bioengineering
3800 Nguyen Engineering Building, 1G5
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: (703) 993-4190
Fax: (703) 993-2077