Genome-wide microRNA and gene analysis of mesenchymal stem cell chondrogenesis identifies an essential role and multiple targets for miR-140-5p

microRNAs (miRNAs) are abundantly expressed in development where they are critical determinants of cell differentiation and phenotype. Accordingly miRNAs are essential for normal skeletal development and chondrogenesis in particular. However, the question of which miRNAs are specific to the chondrocyte phenotype has not been fully addressed. Using microarray analysis of miRNA expression during mesenchymal stem cell chondrogenic differentiation and detailed examination of the role of essential differentiation factors, such as SOX9, TGF-b, and the cell condensation phase, we characterize the repertoire of specific miRNAs involved in chondrocyte development, highlighting in particular miR-140 and miR-455. Further with the use of mRNA microarray data we integrate miRNA expression and mRNA expression during chondrogenesis to underline the particular importance of miR-140, especially the -5p strand. We provide a detailed identification and validation of direct targets of miR-140-5p in both chondrogenesis and adult chondrocytes with the use of microarray and 30 UTR analysis. This emphasizes the diverse array of targets and pathways regulated by miR-140-5p. We are also able to confirm previous experimentally identified targets but, additionally, identify a novel positive regulation of the Wnt signaling pathway by miR-140-5p. Wnt signaling has a complex role in chondrogenesis and skeletal development and these findings illustrate a previously unidentified role for miR-140-5p in regulation of Wnt signaling in these processes. Together these developments further highlight the role of miRNAs during chondrogenesis to improve our understanding of chondrocyte development and guide cartilage tissue engineering

Human iPSC differentiation to retinal organoids in response to IGF1 and BMP4 activation is line- and method-dependent

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)‐derived retinal organoids provide a platform to study human retinogenesis, disease modeling, and compound screening. Although retinal organoids may represent tissue structures with greater physiological relevance to the in vivo human retina, their generation is not without limitations. Various protocols have been developed to enable development of organoids with all major retinal cell types; however, variability across iPSC lines is often reported. Modulating signaling pathways important for eye formation, such as those involving bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF1), is a common approach used for the generation of retinal tissue in vitro. We used three human iPSC lines to generate retinal organoids by activating either BMP4 or IGF1 signaling and assessed differentiation efficiency by monitoring morphological changes, gene and protein expression, and function. Our results showed that the ability of iPSC to give rise to retinal organoids in response to IGF1 and BMP4 activation was line‐ and method‐dependent. This demonstrates that careful consideration is needed when choosing a differentiation approach, which would also depend on overall project aims

STEM Conference 2019

Conference Program with all presentation

COMPUTER MODELING AND SIMULATION OF IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE HEATING DUE TO MRI GRADIENT COIL FIELDS

For patients with implantable medical devices, the ability to safely undergo MRI scanning is critical to ensuring the highest standard of care. The gradient coils of an MRI generate kilohertz frequency, time varying magnetic fields. These magnetic fields induce a voltage on the external case of metallic, implantable medical devices through electromagnetic induction. Since the magnetic field generated by a gradient coil is time varying, the induced voltage results in the flow of eddy currents which can cause heating effects. These heating effects have been successfully modeled using ANSYS Maxwell and ANSYS Mechanical software packages. The multi-physics simulation and solution used ANSYS Maxwell for electromagnetic field simulation and ANSYS Mechanical for the transient thermal simulation while utilizing ANSYS Workbench to integrate the models. To validate the model, simulations and physical testing were completed on a number of samples that varied in size and material. The model was then used to simulate the impact of implant size (both radius and thickness) on MRI gradient induced heating. These results can be used to support MRI safety assessments and design choices for a range of implantable medical devices. The current regulatory landscape requires extensive safety testing that is often expensive and time consuming. While the complicated question of medical device heating due MRI gradient coil fields remains open, computer simulation is now a proven tool that can provide easier and more thorough analysis for future evaluations

Network Science: Fish Supply

Objective The student will understand how being a part of a network (e.g. different roles) influences an individual’s decision-making in addition to understanding positions of power within a fish supply network. The student will be able to identify fish transfer (and money) in a fish supply chain network while seeing how each participant’s goals compete with one another and are balanced by the network. The student will engage with NGSS Crosscutting Concept 4. Systems/System Models. The Fishing Industry has been around for a very long time. Many jobs are tied to the industry, including people who actually catch the fish, sell the fish, and everything in between. This includes marketing, transporting, and even farming the fish. The fishing industry has become very large and generates a lot of revenue globally. This industry has also gained popularity through viewership of reality tv shows (e.g. Wicked Tuna) amongst others, to demonstrate parts of the supply chain. Within the seafood industry, commercial fishing is a major component that highlights a supply chain. A supply chain is expressed as the process of making and selling goods. It includes supplies and materials, manufacturers, distributors, and consumers. Supply chains are used for many reasons, and are efficient at providing the ‘big picture’ of the flow of a good or resource amongst various stakeholders, in addition to the intercollaboration that exists amongst various stakeholders in the supply chain

Annual Report of the Maine STEM Council to the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee of the 127th Maine Legislature, January 2016

https://digitalmaine.com/stem_council/1002/thumbnail.jp

SPORT MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTORS’ ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS OF STUDENTS AND STUDENT-ATHLETES

To investigate the attitudes that sport management instructors hold toward students and student-athletes, an adapted version of the Situational Analysis Scale (SAS) was completed by 247 faculty members across the United States at institutions of varying size, scale, and classification. The results indicated that sport management instructors held significantly different negative attitudes toward male revenue-generating student-athletes compared to female revenue-generating student-athletes and general population students. The findings hold implications for individuals working in sport management programs, academic services for athletics as well as general student affairs

Maine STEM Education and Workforce Plan 1.0

https://digitalmaine.com/stem_council/1000/thumbnail.jp