AFM: Pharma LPRC Atomic Force Microscopy
This student team will focus on cutting-edge pharmaceutical research in the discovery/development areas, aiming to advance global healthcare and to benefit patients worldwide. The team will have access to advanced research technologies and will develop tools and protocols to address critical research inquiries while working with faculty affiliated with the Eli Lily and Company and Purdue University Research Alliance Center (LPRC).
Faculty Advisor:
Description:
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) can image structural, mechanical, chemical, electrical, and thermal properties with nanometer scale resolution. This undergraduate team will develop and implement AFM experiments aimed at better understanding the transport of nanoparticle drug carriers. This includes measuring and modeling the deformability of the drug carriers and studying the forces between drug carriers and biological surfaces. To achieve this, students will be trained in the usage of an Asylum Research Cypher-S AFM system. The team will work to identify a specific research question, form a hypothesis, and then develop a test plan to prove or disprove the hypothesis. The project results will be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Research Fall research expo.
Prerequisites:
Experience with using laboratory equipment and processing of experimental data is preferred.