Restricted Research - Award List, Note/Discussion Page
Fiscal Year: 2023
85 University of North Texas (141973)
Principal Investigator: Choi,Tae-Youl
Total Amount of Contract, Award, or Gift (Annual before 2011): $ 477,097
Exceeds $250,000 (Is it flagged?): Yes
Start and End Dates: 8/1/22 - 7/31/23
Restricted Research: YES
Academic Discipline: Mechanical Engineering
Department, Center, School, or Institute: College of Engineering
Title of Contract, Award, or Gift: Cancer detection and treatment based on low-level light interaction with biological cells: Augmentation to existing human performance research capabilities
Name of Granting or Contracting Agency/Entity:
U.S. Department of Defense
CFDA Link: DOD
12.630
Program Title:
none
CFDA Linked: Basic, Applied, and Advanced Research in Science and Engineering
Note:
The proposed research project is intended to strengthen existing capabilities in human performance research at UNT and foster collaborations among UNT College of Engineering, UNT College of Science and 711 HPW at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio. The point of contact in Air Force program manager is Dr. P. Bradshaw (or Dr. S. Bin-Salamon) and we have a long collaboration history with Dr. Robert Thomas at Fort Sam Houston since 2010. The acquired instruments will provide a better understanding of biothermal and biochemical mechanisms responsible for cellular and tissue changes resulting from low-level light interaction. The enabled (new research) or strengthened research activities are: (1) laser-cell and laser-nanoparticles interaction for cancer treatment. PIs have performed research on laser interaction with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) where effects of Ag-PMMAPAA nanoparticles (NP) on human malignant glioma (U251) cells were investigated using lowlevel He-Ne laser. We propose herein to further investigate the effect of NPs’ features (e.g., size, shape, surface treatment, etc.) on treatment effectiveness using CW lasers at various wavelengths. Post biochemical analysis will be enhanced with the acquisition of the instruments. (2) Cancer detection using micropipette based thermal sensing and artificial neural network. The current research is related with measurements of temperature evolution at the interface of thermal sensor and biological cells, which can be correlated with disease states such as cancer progression. Furthermore, recently we have adopted artificial intelligence (AI) technology to predict thermal properties in real-time. This research will be strengthened through the acquisition of requested instruments and combined with bioenergetics through cellular post analysis. In regard to research-related education, students (majority of underrepresented minorities including African American and women) will be trained for sensor fabrication and calibration, and its use for biothermal analysis. This will be enabled in the existing sensor fabrication and calibration facility. Students will further be involved with post biochemical and image analysis training with the acquisition of the instruments such as plate reader and confocal microscope. Furthermore, students will be trained for proper care and maintenance of the different cell culture types, cell culture techniques, and experimental study design for treatment cell-testbeds. While using laser for treatment as low-level light (LLL), students will learn about optics, especially how to select proper optical elements, align the optical path, focus and image. Nanoparticle design, synthesis, characterization, and treatment study design training is also planned.
Discussion: No discussion notes