Metabolomics is an emerging field of research that provides insight into health and disease by studying the levels of various small molecules (metabolites) in the body. In this project, we are developing new tools that will improve and standardize methods for collecting and stabilizing fecal samples for metabolomics studies based on the analysis of fecal samples. Ultimate goals of the project are improved workflows for analyzing fecal samples for metabolomics studies, and kits which will permit easy home-collection of samples. The kits will also stabilize the samples at room temperature.

Monitoring the immuno-modulatory effects of vaccine formulations is critical for novel vaccine development. While animal models have been effective, increasing evidence suggests differences when translating to humans. We have designed a platform which uses fresh human whole blood coupled with a high-throughput single cell analysis, mass cytometry (CyTof Helios), to characterize and model the immune responses to vaccine formulations.

Aspect Biosystems is developing a novel microfluidic 3D bioprinting technology that has the potential to fundamentally change the way many diseases are treated through the creation of functional human tissue. The technology manages highly complex fluid handling operations and requires sophisticated control systems to deliver reliable and repeatable results. This project is focused on developing such a control system specifically for fluid flow control through the microfluidic printhead.

At Emergent BioSolutions our vision is to "Protect and Enhance Life". The Antibody Therapeutics Business Unit focuses on applying immunotherapies to prevent and treat human infectious diseases. This includes finding effective strategies to meet existing and emerging threats to public health and intentional biothreats. As part of these efforts the Lead Generation Program was created to address bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens.

This internship aims at advancing the use of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for the analysis of clinical samples (including whole blood) and of materials used by the semiconductor industry during their manufacturing process. The complexity of biological samples indeed limits the broad use of conventional inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) for their analysis. For instance, the measurement of a very small concentration of manganese in whole blood is highly skewed due to the presence of a huge concentration of iron.

The global oligonucleotide synthesis market size is expected to grow USD 3.9 billion by 2025. Therefore the demand for an efficient and sensitive oligonucleotide label for their detection, purification and delivery is on continuous rise. The current labels used in oligonucleotide detection have several serious drawbacks that limit their sensitivity. In the proposed project we plan to employ lanthanide-doped upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) as a label due to their unique upconversion property, which will offer remarkable sensitivity when compared to current fluorophores.

High resolution 3D microscopy in combination with tissue clearing techniques such as CLARITY, iDISCO, CUBIC is a rapidly growing area of biomedical research. It also has high potential to replace traditional 2D histology to become a method of choice for the analysis of tissue biopsy samples used in diagnosis of cancer and other diseases. However, currently there is a limited availability of contrast agents that can label organs, biological tissues, and cells in a live animal and are compatible with these techniques.

Rapidia has developed a water-based approach to metal 3D printing that is faster, simpler, and more cost effective than the current systems on the market. This novel approach enables printed parts to be sintered directly, eliminating the time- and chemically- intensive intermediate de-binding step required for other processes. In order to implement this technique, the formulation of the initial paste used for printing is an essential component to optimize.

The anthropogenic emissions of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane are the leading cause of global climate change. Furthermore, these emissions are related to the manufacture of fuels and carbon-based products. Solar fuels technology addresses both of these issues. Photocatalysts, nanomaterials engineering to directly use solar energy, can convert carbon dioxide and methane into the same carbon-based consumer products we rely on every day using sunlight. This technology represents an advancement toward a clean and carbon recycling economy.

Development of leaks in abdominal cavity following surgery cause acute complications that have a high mortality rate and lead to expensive corrective procedures. These leaks are mostly detected following the development of complications as currently there is no method for their early detection and hence timely intervention which can save lives is not possible. In this aspect, lactate is a crucial bio-marker that is excreted from the leak site prior to the development of a full breach and hence its monitoring will lead to early detection of such leaks.