1. Biosensor Interaction and Automation Modeling
Mentor: Lisa Plucinski Hackett
Adviser: Professor Logan Liu
Chuck Wong & Vincent Chang
The purpose of the study is to:
Be able to analyze protein-protein interactions for biomedical applications
Investigate how specific drugs and proteins interact - ex: rate of reaction, active sites
Experimental Background:
Working with plasmonic devices that are designed for some degree of light transmission
Substrate and protein on the device will affect the quantity of light transmitted
Problem:
Study biomolecular interactions on new sensor using automated instrumentation
Developing automation of instruments
Understanding how biomolecules interact when immobilized on surfaces
Research Plan:
Understand protein-protein binding kinetics through COMSOL (look at kinetics of molecular binding)
Use Python to study computer interactions and understand instrument control
Current Progress:
COMSOL:
Learn how to use COMSOL Multiphysics 5.1
Model protein-protein binding kinetics on COMSOL Multiphysics 5.1
Explored how modifying experimental parameters affect the rate and extent of binding at specific points on a biosensor
Python:
Updated given code of a structure in Python to control the monochromator
Learned pyvisa to communicate to external devices from the computer
Write algorithm to select different levels of light wavelengths
Future Plans:
COMSOL:
Go from modeling in 2D to 3D for a more realistic and accurate model
Add in biosensor design as a potential experimental parameter
Python:
Update code to work with current version of pyvisa
Write code to interface with the QImaging camera
Sources:
G. L. Liu et. al., Optics Express., 13, 2005.
Juliri, Bala.“Controlling SP2150i monochromator with Python/PyVisa” juluribk.com, Bala’s Website, Sept Web. Feb 10, 2017
Image and codes sources from COMSOL at comsol.com