Welcome to the 2021 Orientation Page!
Below find all available lab projects for the 2021-2022 academic year. You may contact any PI directly (contact info can be found on their lab websites) for further information on a specific project.
|
Faculty |
Project Title |
Project Description |
Funding Source |
# Students Needed |
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Hexameric protein assemblies for therapeutic intracellular delivery and COVID inhibition |
This project designs self-assembling proteins for two different applications. 1. Multivalent binding of SARS-CoV-2 for viral inhibition. 2. Intracellular delivery of anti-cancer proteins. Project will involve protein design, production, materials fabrication, pseudovirus and cell studies, and in vivo studies. |
NIH |
1 Ph.D. |
|
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Protein vesicles for drug delivery and biocatalysis |
This project modifies our existing protein vesicle platform to endow it with features necessary for applications in drug delivery, vaccination, and biocatalysis. This project designs self-assembling proteins for two different applications. 1. Multivalent binding of SARS-CoV-2 for viral inhibition. 2. Intracellular delivery of anti-cancer proteins. Project will involve protein design, production, materials fabrication, cell studies, and potentially in vivo studies. |
TBD |
1 Ph.D. |
|
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Chemical imaging of nitrogen fixation in plant roots for a sustainable future |
This project will use Raman spectroscopy to image metabolic changes deep within nodules, small structures in the roots of plants where symbiotic microbes convert N2 into bioavailable nitrogen |
DOE |
1 Ph.D. |
|
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Development of mechano-metabolic models of plant cell movement |
This project will develop and implement biomolecular sensors to quantify sugar transport in stomata, the microscopic pores on plant leaves responsible for controlling gas exchange and water use efficiency |
HFSP |
1 Ph.D. |
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Deep Chemical Imaging of the Rhizosphere |
In this project we will develop a coherent Raman imaging modality using ultrafast laser pulses to map out key aspects of carbon and nitrogen exchange between plants and bacteria at the root-soil interface (rhizosphere). Better understanding the crucial and synergistic interactions between plants and microbes will facilitate more efficient resource use in generating plant-based feedstocks for energy and materials. |
DOE |
1 Ph.D. |
|
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Spatio-temporal dynamics of Multicellular Organoids |
This project will involve spatial omics analysis of distinct microenvironments in living tissues for personalized medicine applications. Imaging, cell cultures, and big data analytics will be part of the project. |
NIH/Burroughs Wellcome |
MS/Ph.D. |
|
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Impact of Menopause and Estrogen in Experimental Glaucoma |
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide and women represent nearly 60% of the affect population. Timing of menopause may play a role in developing glaucoma. Our goal is to understand how surgical menopause impacts visual function in experimental glaucoma and how estrogen may be a potential treatment to preserve visual function. |
NIH/Startup |
1 Ph.D. |
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Hydrogels for human stem cell-derived beta cells |
The objective of this project is to engineer biomaterials that promote maturation and function of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived β-cells |
NIH |
1 Ph.D. |
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Open-Ended Evolution with Synthetic Molecular Systems |
This particular position is associated with a project on non-genomic evolution with synthetic polymers inspired by polypeptides. Polypeptides are the platform of choice in extant biology for exploring sequence and function evolution because of their unparalleled programmability and their tremendous range of functions from biomaterials to catalysts. Here we will further expand this design space to include components such as reversible ester and thioester linkages and non-aqueous solvents.
|
Sloan Foundation |
1 Ph.D. |
|
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Imaging neuronal activity during visual perception and attention |
Perceptual behaviors guided by sensory processing depend on neural circuit activity spanning multiple brain areas; these behaviors are also strongly dependent on internal brain factors such as spatial attention. The goal of this project is to directly image how perception and attention drive neural circuit activation across multiple visual and motor brain areas. |
NIH R01, startup |
1 MS or Ph.D. |
|
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Measuring perceptual and neuronal deficits in mouse models of autism |
Perceptual behaviors guided by sensory processing depend on neural circuit activity spanning multiple brain areas; importantly, neural activity impairments across multiple sensory brain areas correlate with sensory impairments in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The goal of this project is to directly record excitatory and inhibitory neural circuit activation with high-density electrical probes across multiple visual brain areas during impaired visual perception in a transgenic mouse model of ASD. |
NIH R01, startup |
1 MS or Ph.D. |
|
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Engineered Heterochronic Parabiosis on 3D Microphysiological Systems |
The goal of this project is to engineer in vitro parabiosis (young-aged sharing circulation) system and identify novel anti-aging factors Collaborators: Dr. Shu Takayama, Dr. Sung Jin Park |
NIH R01 |
Ph.D./MS (1) |
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Identification of Novel Exercise-induced Myokines using Bio-orthogonal Proteome Labeling |
The goal of this study is to detect myokines (muscle-derived systemic factors) that possess enhance stem cell function and tissue regeneration Collaborators: Dr. Sung Jin Park |
NIH R01 |
Ph.D./MS (1) |
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Super-Resolution Imaging of Neuronal Cell Biology |
We are developing new microscopy techniques to overcome the current spatial and temporal resolution limits in neuronal cell imaging. The project will focus on both device instrumentation and image processing. |
NIH: R35GM124846 |
1 Ph.D. (preferred) or MS |
|
The design of pan-coronavirus vaccines |
Our group has been working on the design of vaccines that elicit broadly protective antibodies (e.g., “universal” influenza vaccines). We are engineering antigens and their presentation from nanoscale scaffolds in order to refocus the immune response towards conserved parts of viral or bacterial proteins. The goal of this project is to design vaccines that provide broad and durable protection against coronaviruses – especially SARS-CoV-2, but also other coronaviruses with pandemic potential. |
NIH |
2-3 Ph.D. |
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Understanding whole-brain dynamics using machine learning, microfluidics, and genetics |
This project is heavily computational as well as experimental. The goal is to understand how brain dynamics drive behavior. The project will use powerful optical imaging techniques to acquire whole-brain activity recordings with single-cell resolution in vivo, as well as genetic perturbations. |
NIH/NSF |
1 Ph.D. |
|
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Understanding health effects of aerosols using in vitro and in vivo models |
This project is a collaboration between two multidisciplinary labs. The goal is to use cell-on-chip and organism-on-chip models to study the health effect of environmental pollutants. The project will combine microfluidics, genetics, cell biology, and microscopy with aerosol chemistry/physics. |
various |
1 Ph.D.
|
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Cartilage Repair Mechanobiology |
The Patel explores the repair and regeneration of musculoskeletal tissues, at multiple scale lengths. This project relates to understanding how cells interact with their environment early in cartilage repair (e.g. microfracture), and explores biomaterials and growth factors to better tune these cells towards better cartilage formation. |
Startup NIH/VA |
1 MS or Ph.D. |
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Lignin-derived biodegradable biolatex |
The goal of this project is twofold: 1) engineer a biological system for the production of monomers from lignin-derived compounds, and 2) use the monomers for the synthesis of biodegradable latex via emulsion polymerization. This is an interdisciplinary project spanning protein engineering, metabolic engineering and polymer science. This is a joint project with Prof. Gutekunst (CHEM). |
RBI |
1 Ph.D. |
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Self-assembling cell-free systems for scalable bioconversion |
The goal of this project is to engineer a biological system for the production of malic acid in a carbon negative fashion. This is an interdisciplinary project spanning metabolic engineering, metabolic flux analysis, and synthetic biology |
ARPA-E |
1 Ph.D. |
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Synthetic cells that sense and respond via GPCRs |
The goal of this project is to engineer synthetic cells that that sense and respond using G-protein coupled receptors. This is an interdisciplinary project spanning synthetic biology, biophysics, and pharmacology. |
NSF |
1 Ph.D. |
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Computational algorithms for analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing data and applications in multiple diseases |
Single-cell technologies have been increasing used to study cellular heterogeneity, measuring gene expression, methylation, chromatin accessibility, etc at single-cell resolution. Such technologies generate highly complex data (high dimensional, low signal, large noise, high sparsity), which presents major computational changes in data analysis and interpretation. This project aims to develop novel algorithms/pipelines for single cell analysis, and will combine machine learning techniques (clustering, classification, dimension reduction, visualization) with biology knowledge (cell types, differentiation hierarchy, pathway enrichment, network analysis, diseases).
Lab website: http://mlb.bme.gatech.edu/
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NIH and private foundations |
2 Ph.D. students |
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Arterial remodeling and hemodynamics in sickle cell disease |
Children with the genetic disease sickle cell disease are at increased risk of strokes. There are biomechanic, hemodynamic, and biochemical mechanisms involved that we are investigating to identify new therapeutic targets. Cell work, animal work, and use of human samples are all involved merging biochemistry and biomechanics to solve an important human problem.
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NIH |
1 Ph.D. |
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Cell Manufacturing and Technology (CMaT) |
Computational modeling of predictive biomarkers secreted by MSCs that provide non-destructive indicators of cell quality during large scale cellmanufacturing. |
NSF |
1 Ph.D. |
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UV and coherent imaging |
Developing multiple imaging systems based on UV microscopy and optical coherence tomography |
DOD |
1 Ph.D./ 1MS |
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Development of Immunosuppressive-Cell-depleting Synthetic Nanoparticle Antibodies (SNAbs) for Tuberculosis |
We just received an NIH R01 with the Rengarajan lab at Emory. The work will expand on our previous results recently published in https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c04833. The goal is to deplete myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the TB lung and study h ow that effects hos immunity and enhances host-directed TB therapies. |
NIH |
1 Ph.D. |
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Broad areas of project available related to ImmunoEngineering including cell therapy manufacturing, immunotherapy and vaccine delivery, tissue-chip based disease models, etc. |
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Various – NSF, Wellcome Trust, Foundations |
1 Ph.D. or 1 MS |
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Electronic Biomarker Detection for Point-of-Care Diagnostics |
We are developing micro/nano-fabricated devices and techniques for rapid and inexpensive electronic detection for a variety of biomarkers (e.g. nucleic acids, proteins, cells). Current application areas include COVID-19 and Tuberculosis. |
NIH R01 |
1 MS/Ph.D. |
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Targeted Electronic Delivery of Macromolecules for Cell and Gene Therapies |
We are developing a microfluidic technique for label-free electronic characterization and targeted low-voltage electroporation of single cells. Current applications areas include CRISPR-based gene editing for cell therapy. |
Startup |
1 MS/Ph.D. |
|
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B Cell Follicle Engineering using Immune Organoids |
We are creating biomaterials-based “living” immune tissues as organoids or on-chip to recapitulate structural and functional aspects of lymph nodes. The immune follicle organoids communicate dynamically with B and T cells and regulate the immune response. The engineered ex vivo immune organs have applications in immunity, cancer, infections, and inflammation. |
Wellcome Leap and NIH |
1 Ph.D. 1 MS |
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Lymph Node Engineering |
We are creating biomaterials-based “living” immune tissues on-chip to recapitulate structural and functional aspects of lymph nodes. The engineered ex vivo immune organs have applications in infections and autoimmunity. |
Wellcome Leap and NIH |
1 Ph.D. 1 MS |
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Cancer Tissue Engineering for Malignant Lymph Nodes |
Our interest is in understanding how disruption of normal signaling and epigenetic processes results in the transformation of healthy cells to cancers. By developing ex vivo “malignant” tissues in a dish or on-chip, we have led to the discovery and advancement of new classes of signaling, epigenetic, and immune therapeutics. Our focus areas are immune neoplasms, hematological malignancies. |
NIH R01 |
1 MS |
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Closed Loop Control of Neural Circuits in Parkinson’s Disease |
This new project involves the development and use of a toolbox of real-time optogenetic feedback control targeting the circuits affected by Parkinson’s disease (PD). The work utilizes a mouse model of PD, and a range of electrophysiological measurements and manipulations, along with sensory and motor behavioral assays. Ideal background in signals and systems, control, electrophysiology. |
McCamish Foundation |
1 Ph.D. |
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Machine learning and optimization for metabolic modeling
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Predicting and controlling metabolism has been a goal in engineering research for decades, but has been limited by our knowledge of metabolism and assumptions we make about metabolism. This project puts the focus on critical elements of metabolism, like its dynamics and regulation, to develop new metabolic modeling frameworks using machine learning and process systems engineering approaches. Improved modeling of metabolism could have a substantial impact on biotechnology and bioengineering.
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NIH |
1 Ph.D. |
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Synthetic biology for low-cost point-of-care biosensors
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Diagnostic tests are typically expensive and complex, which restricts them to use only in the most well-equipped and well-funded clinics. This project entails developing low-cost, minimal-equipment, fast, quantitative tests that can be deployed to the point of care in the United States or in the developing world where they are most sorely needed. Our goal is to be able to develop diagnostics for essentially any small molecule, protein, or nucleic acid.
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NIH |
1 Ph.D. |
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Microfluidics for continuous processing of stem cell therapies |
This proposal will seek to create a more continuous, integrated workflow based upon microfluidic technology and robotic cell processing. As a test-bed, we will apply the technologies to an induced pluripotent stem cell derived retinal organoid manufacturing process. The focus will include testing and integration of microfluidics-enabled cell transfection, characterization, and separation unit operations. |
NSF |
1 |
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Biomaterials engineering for therapeutic drug delivery for cancer |
This project involves the use design, synthesis, and characterization of biomaterial systems for the delivery of therapeutic agents to improve cancer therapy. |
NIH |
1 Ph.D. |
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Microenvironment effects on tumor immunity |
This project will integrate the use of advanced in vivo tumor models, cellular engineering approaches, engineered biomaterial tools, and immunological analyses to investigate how microenvironments within tumors and lymph nodes influence immunological signaling in cancer immunotherapy. |
NIH |
1 Ph.D. |
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Engineering fluorescent probes for interrogation of immune cell trafficking and lymphatic transport functions |
This project involves the development of fluorescent sensors of cell migration and lymphatic function and their application to in vivo and in vitro models to interrogate immune cell homing and lymphatic functions in disease. |
Curci |
1 Ph.D. |
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Engineering Intelligent Biological Systems |
Develop and engineer chassis cells for living therapeutics |
NSF |
Ph.D. |
|
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Advanced Biological Security & Bio-Cryptography |
New biosecurity platform will enable scientists and engineers to progress beyond simple operational technology security measures, to a more robust informational technology intrinsic-security approach specifically designed for protecting biotic assets |
NSF |
Ph.D. |
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Next-generation Biosynthesis & Biomanufacturing |
Develop emerging biotic-abiotic manufacturing technologies, in which intrinsic (biotic) and electronic devices (abiotic) work cooperatively to achieve unprecedented (never seen before) control systems |
BASF |
Ph.D. |
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Building Microbial Stem Cells |
The specific goal of this project is to create synthetic microbial stem cells. |
NSF |
Ph.D. |
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Development of Nanomembrane Electronics and Machine-Learning Algorithms for Quantitative Screening of Dysphagia Therapeutics |
Study materials, mechanics and manufacturing to develop miniaturized wearable sensors and electronics. |
NIH |
1 Ph.D. |
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Development of Soft Electronic System for Deep Phenotyping in Blepharospasm |
Develop a machine-learning algorithm to analyze measured muscle activities and motion data from wearable sensors. Develop wearable biosensors using printing methods. |
NIH |
1 Ph.D. |
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Harnessing in vivo enzymatic activity to engineer non-onvasive breath biomarkers for disease |
The goal of this work is to develop nonscale probes for early disease detection that are formulated for targeted delivery to sites of disease in vivo and release volatile reporters that are exhaled in breath. This work involves nanoparticle design and synthesis, in vivo studies in mouse models of disease, and machine learning. Disease applications include infectious disease, microbome dysbiosis, and chronic inflammatory disease. |
NIH R00 |
2 MS or Ph.D. |