Location:
Coordinator: Dr. Lanny Griffin

The mission of the advanced instrumentation lab is to provide support to other labs in biomedical engineering. This includes expertise in sample preparation for nano- and micro-indentation, scanning electron microscopy, undecalcified hard tissue histology, as well as performing advanced analysis and characterization of natural and engineering biomaterials. Equipment includes a Hitachi S-800 Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, Bioquant Nova, Micromaterials Microtest 600, Buehler precision diamond saw, Anatech Sputter coater, and metallographic polishing and cold-mount capability.

Location: ATL, St. Jude Lab
Coordinator: Dr. David Clague

The Biofludics laboratory focuses on biofluids characterization, microfluidics and Bio-MEMS. The biofluids side of the laboratory is equipped with a capillary rheometer, Osmotic pressure meter and a fluid properties characterization meter (conductivity, ionic strength, pH and dissolved gasses). The microfluidics side of the laboratory is equipped with two microfluidic test stations. Each microfluidic test station has a LabSmith video microscope and three Harvard apparatus Plus 11 syringe pumps. In addition to these capabilities, we have a LabSmith DC power supply, Tektronix signal function generator, and 4 high end workstations for design and analysis, one of which is equipped with National Instruments capabilities to perform Impedance sensing and AC-signal function generation. 

Students design, manufacture and model microfluidic chips. Additionally, students prepare and characterize reagents and conduct microfluidic experiments.

Location: 
Coordinator: Dr. Lily Laiho

The vision of the Biomedical Imaging and Bioinstrumentation Laboratory is to develop novel instrumentation incorporating imaging technologies to probe and understand biological systems on the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. This laboratory concentrates on applications in biology and medicine and offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to be involved in projects applying imaging and bioinstrumentation to diagnosis of disease. The laboratory is currently under development and, in the future, will have the ability to perform confocal microscopy, optical coherence microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and other optical techniques. Current research areas of interest in the lab include optical biopsy, cancer detection, creation of multi-modal instrumentation, and noninvasive monitoring devices providing diagnostic information.

Location: 
Coordinator: Dr. Lanny Griffin 

The mission of the BioMAC Lab is to characterize mechanical performance of both natural and engineered materials. Primary interests and expertise are associated with fracture, fatigue, static strength, and mechanical properties. Projects include application of engineering principles to characterize natural materials, micro-indentation, nano-indentation, fatigue of orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgery devices, micro-fracture toughness, and stent testing. Equipment includes a Bose SmartTest SP, Bose Enduratec 3200, Instron Inspec 2200, and a Micromaterials Microtest 600.

Location: ATL, St. Jude Lab
Coordinator: Dr. Robert Szlavik

The advancement of the state of the art in the simulation, modeling and experimental application of biological neural systems and integrated neural-electronic systems for the benefit of medicine, national defense and the space sciences.

The Electrophysiology and Neural Electronics Research Group at California Polytechnic State University has extensive expertise in the simulation and modeling of neurological systems. This simulation and modeling expertise includes simulation of linear as well as non-linear neurological systems. A principal recent focus of the group has been the development of Hodgkin-Huxley based equivalent circuit models to study the characteristics of neural-electronic systems. Consequently, there is extensive in house experience related to combining simulations of excitable cells, through the use of Hodgkin-Huxley active membrane equivalent circuit models, with models of electronic devices. Additional research efforts have been focused on developing improved, physiologically relevant, models based on the Hodgkin-Huxley excitable membrane framework for implementation in SPICE-based simulation programs. These efforts are ongoing and have included successful implementation of the models in SPICE circuit description programs or (netlist) code as well as hard coding Hodgkin-Huxley equivalent circuit models within public domain versions of the SPICE program.

Recently the group has been extensively involved in the development of hybrid nerve conduction velocity techniques based on the spectral group delay characteristics associated with compound evoked potential measurements of peripheral nerve. These techniques facilitate the determination of peripheral nerve fiber diameter distributions associated with the fibers that contribute to the propagated evoked potential. If successfully implemented, the group delay techniques could provide an alternative and more robust diagnostic tool for neurologists in the diagnosis of pathologies of the peripheral nervous system.

The group has an extensive empirical and theoretical program focused on studying the impact of organophosphate based neural toxins on the electrophysiology of the neuromuscular junction. Detailed mathematical models of the processes involved in conduction of neural activity across the motor end-plate have been developed. These simulation studies are currently being validated empirically through electrophysiology based empirical investigations of the leech neuromuscular junction exposed to organophosphate based neural toxins.

The Electrophysiology and Neural Electronics Laboratory features state of the art electrophysiology instrumentation for sharp electrode and patch clamp experiments. A Molecular Devices/Axon Instruments MultiClamp 700B sharp electrode/patch clamp amplifier is the main instrumentation platform for intracellular studies. This platform is supported by advanced digital sampling/data collection capabilities with the Molecular Devices/Axon Instruments Digidata 1440A Digitizer and the supporting PClamp 10 Electrophysiology Software Suite. Customizable data acquisition capabilities are further enhanced by the availability of a high speed National Instruments PCI-6259, M Series data acquisition system capable of 1.25 MS/s. Intracellular electrophysiology studies are supported by a Nikon Eclipse FN1 fixed state microscope with a Gibraltar x-y stage platform. The facility is housed in a radio frequency screen room located within the St. Jude Biomedical Engineering Laboratory in the Advanced Technology Laboratory at California Polytechnic State University.

Location: 41-209
Coordinator:  

The objective of the In Vitro Systems Lab is to allow students and faculty to design, build, and evaluate in vitro systems for a variety of applications. These systems can be used to cultivate living tissue models for device and therapeutic evaluation, to create an environment for the production and harvest of cellular products, or to mimic geometries and conditions found in living organisms.

This facility centers on the development and implementation of components necessary for creating in vitro systems. Biologic and synthetic polymeric scaffolds are synthesized and utilized, bioreactor systems are designed and built to meet specific criteria, samples are prepared for post-cultivation evaluation, and conditions such as flow and pressure are controlled and measured.

Location: ATL
Coordinator:  

The focus of this facility is the design, development, construction, and testing of instruments for direct clinical and commercial application. Key thrust areas include bioinstrumentation, medical devices, biomaterials, biomechanics, bio-remediation, prosthetic robotics and microbial interaction with materials.

Transforming Engineers through Community Hands-on Engagement (TECHE) – CENG Laboratories (calpoly.edu)

Location: 192-130
Coordinator:  Dr. Lily Laiho

This lab is devoted to generating and fostering innovations that improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.  We focus on engineering-driven projects that address challenges that people face in today’s world, using engineering and computing expertise to improve the human experience.  The lab provides students with an excellent opportunity to develop unique solutions for health problems faced by people with disabilities and perform hands-on work while making a difference in someone’s life.  We serve a wide range of individuals and community members seeking assistive technology solutions.

Location: 197-209
Coordinator:  

The objective of the Tissue Analysis Laboratory is to provide the tools for students and faculty to evaluate tissues at the structural, cellular, and molecular level.

The Tissue Analysis facility centers around core competencies in the areas of histological evaluation and gene expression analysis. Histology protocols include sectioning and staining to assess tissue morphology and cellular phenotypes. Gene expression analysis involves nucleic acid isolation, amplification, and quantification in order to determine the molecular characteristics of cells and tissues. This facility currently contains multiple fume hoods, a rotary microtome for histology, PCR thermocyclers, a gel imaging station, and electrophoresis chambers.

Location: 41-209A
Coordinator:  

The objective of the Tissue Engineering Laboratory is to provide an aseptic and controlled environment for the culture of cells and the creation of living tissue engineered constructs.

The Tissue Engineering Laboratory facility is a site for working with living systems. The facility is focused on the ability to culture and maintain cells and tissues in flasks, bioreactor chambers, and other in vitro environments. Maintaining proper conditions for cells, tissues, and reagents is accomplished with a biological safety cabinet, dedicated cell and tissue incubators, and other equipment housed in this lab. The cell incubator is used to culture a variety of cell types in flasks and dishes, while the large tissue incubator can house pumps and bioreactor systems for tissue cultivation.