The research laboratories described below comprise over 20,000 square feet of facilities in five buildings that contain more than $2 Million of state-of-the-art equipment and instrumentation related to Biological Engineering projects that are funded by federal and state agencies, and the private sector. Research addresses fundamental and applied aspects of integrating the science of biology with the problem solving tools and strategies of engineering. Research areas, as described by the various laboratories, include biomedical, bioenergy, bioenvironmental, and public health sectors. The goal of research conducted in the laboratories described below is the production of new bio-based products, technologies, and services that support current bio-based industries, as well as the creation of new industries and jobs in Utah and nationally.
BioEnergy & Bioprocessing Lab's
Algae Test and Evaluation Pilot Facility
The “Algae Test and Evaluation” pilot facility is under the direction of Dr. Ronald Sims and is located at the site of the City of Logan Water Reclamation Plant (WRP). Research and testing conducted at the AT&E facility addresses algae-based engineered systems for water quality improvement and production of biofuels for power for transportation vehicles, heat, and electricity that can be used by the City of Logan.
Renewable BioEnergy Engineering Laboratory
Research conducted in the laboratory addresses chemical mass transport, biotransformation kinetics and mechanisms, and downstream processing related to microbial-based photoautotrophic and heterotrophic systems. Current projects include pharmaceutical chemical sorption by algae, co-disposal of municipal solid waste and algae for biomethane production, daphnia control and management for algae recovery, and algae briquetting as an alternative energy source of power and heat.
Biomaterials and Biosurfaces Laboratory
Research conducted in the Biomaterials and Biosurfaces Laboratory applies molecular self-assembly and advanced analytical techniques to detect and direct interfacial phenomenon, with specific projects in molecular imprinting, microcantilever biosensors, lactose-derived surfactants and gels, materials biocompatibility, nanoparticles and bacteria, and biofilms.
Synthetic Biological Engineering Laboratory
Research in the Synthetic Biological Engineering Laboratory focuses on cellular engineering, synthetic biological engineering, biosensors and bioremediation. Recent projects include using synthetic biological engineering techniques to improve bioplastic production, developing molecular tools in mycobacteria to create biosensors for use in bioremediation, using natural products as antimicrobials, and monitoring microbial diversity of bioreactors using metagenomic approaches.
Synthetic Biophotonics Laboratory
Research conducted at the Synthetic Biophotonics Laboratory addresses the design, construction, testing, and simulation of natural and biosynthetic biphotonics systems using phototrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms. Current projects include the design of a gene expression system for Rhodobacter sphaeroides, development of synthetic biological tools for use in cyanobacteria for the expression of various products and applications in bioenergy, wastewater treatment, and biomanufacturing processes, and the simulation and design of photosynthetically-based microbial systems for the production of bioplastic materials.
Thermochemical Biomass Research Laboratory
Biomedical Lab's
Bionanotechnology Laboratory
We intend to develop new paradigms in bionanotechnology to create revolutionary opportunities for scientific and technological progression. Our research in bionanotechnology encompasses tailored solutions from across the biotechnology and nanotechnology spectrum, which intricately combines biological recognition, nanofabrication/nanoassembly, micro/nanofluidics, materials characterization and electrical measurements. Our goal includes a synthetic design of bionanomaterials, fabricating the bionanomaterials into bionanostructures, the hierarchical assembly of bionanostructures into functional bionanodevices, and applying these devices in medical diagnosis, defense, environmental monitoring, and energy storage.
Integrated Tissue Engineering Laboratory
Research activities in the Integrated Tissue Engineering Laboratory (ITEL) focus on 3D engineered tissues in both static and dynamic environments for the study of tissue development, specific target diseases and toxicity assessment. Recent projects include Cyclic Equibiaxial Deformation-induced Airway Inflammation and Remodeling; mTOR inhibition-induced Phenotypic Reversion in Three-Dimensional Cultures of Malignant Breast Epithelial Cells; In Vitro Model of Micro-Biomechanics in Breast Tissue; Alternative Estimation of Human Exposure to Nano-materials; Effects of Carbon Nanotube-based Scaffolds on the Proliferation and Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells; and Enhanced Productivity of Recombinant Protein using Small Molecule Enhancers.
Metabolic Engineering Lab
Current research efforts lie in the interface of three areas: biology, chemistry, and engineering. Research areas include the discovery and identification of bioactive natural products, biosynthetic mechanisms of pharmaceutically important compounds, characterization and development of biocatalysts for structural modification, as well as improvement of useful enzymes using protein engineering approaches. Combinatorial biosynthesis of novel biologically significant compounds for drug discovery is also being investigated.
Molecular and Cellular Sensing and Imaging Laboratory
Laboratory research is mainly focused on the integration of state-of-the-art instrumentation methods and new chemo/bio-sensing technologies for biomolecular surface engineering applications.
Affiliated Labs
Biomedical Laboratory, Center for Persons with Disabilities