Two research contributions of CenBRAIN Neurotech were published in IEEE EMBC

Recently, the 46th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (IEEE EMBC) was held in Orlando, Florida, USA. Dr. Yi Su, a postdoctoral follow, and Hongyong Zhang, a Ph.D. student from Chair Professor Mohamad Sawan’s research group at Westlake University presented their contribution in this event.

Fig.1: Prof. Mohamad Sawan with Yi Su and Hongyong Zhang at IEEE EMBC'24

IEEE EMBC is the world's largest international conference in biomedical engineering，a broad array of scientific tracks will cover diverse topics of cutting-edge research and innovation in biomedical engineering, healthcare technology, and translational clinical research. As a high-caliber international conference, it enjoys a prestigious academic reputation within the field of biomedical engineering.

Dr. Yi Su from Professor Mohamad Sawan’s research group presented his latest research on “A Microcavity-based Dark-Field Reflectivity (MDR) Biosensor.” He stated, “As a researcher in biomedical engineering, attending such events is crucial for broadening our international perspective and refining our research direction.”

“Microcavity based Biosensor for Detection of SARS-CoV-2”

Su Y., Cui Z., Savvidis P., Rong G., Sawan M., Microcavity-based Biosensor for detection of SARS-CoV-2. 2024 46th IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.

Point-of-care devices are essential as they provide real-time, easy-to-use, and low-cost detection of indicative biomarkers for specific diagnostics.However, detecting biomarkers is challenging since they are usually present in extremely low concentrations. Point-of-caredevices can suffer from limited detection and poor repeatability due to large noises and simple devices.This article proposes a microcavity-based dark-field reflectivity (MDR) biosensor for detecting viruses. The specific binding between targets and the receptor upper layer of the microcavity strongly affects the absorption, reflection, and transmission properties of the microcavity. Moreover, the MDR biosensor operates in the dark-field; this scheme made it possible to detect the absorption of targets with the microcavity-confined light.

Ph.D. student Hongyong Zhang delivered a lecture presentation titled “Mitigating Nanoparticles-induced Neuronal Damage through a Dual Coating Strategy,” showcasing his latest research on the biomedical applications of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). He remarked, “Attending this conference not only broadened my academic horizons but also deepened my understanding of the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing medical challenges, inspiring me to continue exploring and advancing in my future research.”

“Mitigating Nanoparticles-induced Neuronal Damage through a Dual Coating Strategy”

Zhang H., Zhao L., Bian S., Xu T., Sawan M., Mitigating Nanoparticles-induced Neuronal Damage through a Dual Coating Strategy. 2024 46th IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) hold immense potential in biomedical applications, including magnetic resonance imaging, cell labeling, drug/gene delivery, and tumor hyperthermia. Understanding the interaction between MNPs and cells is fundamental for advancing these biomedical frontiers. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of MNPs in positively influence neural differentiation and proliferation, indicating their utility as a tool for studying in vitro stem cell-induced cortical neurons. However, emerging evidence also underscores the detrimental effects of MNPs on neural cells in terms of morphological and electrophysiological changes, impeding their broader clinical applications. To mitigate the potential neurotoxicity of MNPs, we proposed a dual-coating strategy using bovine serum albumin with polyethylene glycol (BSA-PEG). This strategy aims to enhance the dispersion ability of MNPs while minimizing their adverse effects on neurons. Through comparative analyses between our modified MNPs with solely PEG-coated MNPs across viability, neuromorphology, and electrophysiology, our study offers a pathway to engineer hypo-toxic MNPs structures, thereby fostering their suitability for long-term culture.