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Congratulations to Ernesto Flores on being named a 2023 Barry Goldwater Scholar!
RESEARCH THEMES
RESEARCH THEMES
Nanoparticles as Remote Optical Transducers for Biomedical Applications
Aside from the ability to detect and record optical signatures (e.g. imaging) from nanomaterials, some nanomaterials such as upconverting nanocrystals can serves as "internal" light sources, which can be switched by near infrared light sources. Offering deeper penetration depth these nanoparticles can be used for biomedical applications including from photodynamic therapy to light triggered on-demand drug release. Additionally, these particles can be used for biophysical investigations related to photobiomodulation.
Elucidating Combinitorial Effects of Nanoparticles and Electromagnetic Stimulation
The interface between materials and biological systems are an ever growing area of interest. At the nanoscale, interesting stimulatory effects can occur at the when we add electromagnetic fields. Through this effort we are trying to isolate and delineate additive, antagonistic or synergistic effects of combining various nanoparticles and electromagnetic stimulation (e.g. laser, microwaves, radio, etc.) on cells.
Figure caption: Nanoparticles cooperatively assist in stimulation in neuron stimulation (left). Gold nanoparticles uptaken by neuroblastoma cells (right).
Light Assisted Synthesis of Nanoparticles & Applications
The use of light, including ultraviolet light and pulsed lasers, in the synthesis of nanomaterials has been a continuous area of interest due to its ability to control shape, size and composition of nanomaterials. The main advantage of the laser assisted synthesis methods is the possibility to fabricate surfactant-free with an accessible surface, rendering them attractive materials for solar cell, catalytic and therapeutic treatments and biosensing applications. We design experimental conditions to synthesize nanomaterials through the use of a pulsed laser, study their properties, and then investigate their application in the areas of energy or biomedical research.
Figure caption: Gold nanoparticles and microparticles produced using biopolymer templating resulting in various shapes and sizes (top).
Figure caption:Selenium quantum dots synthesized by laser ablation.
Figure caption: TEM image of selenium nanoparticles interaction with Candida albicans. Further test revealed the superb antimicrobial affects of these nanoparticles.
Figure caption: Dichalcogenide nanosheets produced by laser ablation in liquids.
Photoacoustic (Optoacoustic) Characterization and Signatures of Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications
We are exploring a wide variety of nanoparticles for both photoacoustic (optoacoustic) sensing and imaging applications. We have recently reported on the use of the nanoparticles for reactive oxidative species (ROS) sensing using an All Optical Photoacoustic Sensing (AOPAS) techniques that probes photoacoustic signatures from gold nanoparticles in the small footprint of an optical beam inctead of bulky transducers. The additional advantage of this techniques allows one to detect high frequency acoustic signatures (>100 MHz) which are inherent to nanoscale structures. We also investigate nanoparticles not tradiaitonally used in photoacoutic applciations. These include iron oxide, ferroelectric materials and luminecent nanoparticles using optoacoustic techniques.
Figure Caption: Scheme for nanoparticle based oxidative stress sensing (Left). Experimental setup for in vitro photoacoustic sensing (Right, Top). Change in photoacoustic response of nanoparticles in the absence (green) and presence (red) of oxidative stress biomarkers (Right, Bottom)
All Optical Photoacoustic Spectroscopy and Imaging
In collaboration with Dr. Randolph Glickaman at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) and Dr. Saher Maswadi, owner of EchoLase we are utilizing an all optical photoacoustic (optoacoustic) imaging and sensing modality for biomedical applications.
Figure Caption: Unprocessed OAM image constructed by scanning an area within the grid surface using pulse laser with 40x40 steps using LabVIEW®(Left) . Stock image of TEM grid (courtesy Pelco®)(Center) . Processed optoacoustic image after data smoothing and image filtering using Origin® software (Right).
Funding Sources:
Current Support:
Clarkson Aerospace Corp. (AFOSR Subaward) under Grant Number FA9550-21-1-0460 (Role: Principle Investigator)
NIH NIAID under Award Number 1R01AI152233-01(Role: Co-Principal Investigator)
NNSA MSIPP under grant number DE-NA0003948 (Role: Principal Investigator)
NSF DUE under grant number 1832388 (Role: Co-Principal Investigator)
Past Support:
DoD ARO under grant number W911NF-18-1-0439 (Role: Co-Principal Investigator)
DoD AFOSR Young Investigator Program under Grant Number FA9550-15-1-0109, (Role: Principal Investigator)
DoD AFOSR Biophysics under Grant Number FA9550-15-1-0513, (Role: Principal Investigator)
DOE-Office of Environmental Management MSIPP under BOA #576, (Role: Co-Principal Investigator)
NSF-CBET under Award No. 1650278, (Role: Co-Principal Investigator)
San Antonio Area Foundation Biomedical Research Grants, (Role: Principal Investigator)
2012 -2013 UTSA-SwRI Connect Program, Office of the Vice President for Research, (Role: Principal Investigator)
NIH RTRN under grant number 13-14-G007RN0A-UTSA-WH, (Role: Principal Investigator, replaced Dr. William Haskins)
ARO under Grant Number W911NF1410096 (Role: Co-Principal Investigator)
NSF-funded PREM under grant number DMR-0934218, (Role: Senior Investigator)
Start-up Funds, UTSA College of Science and Provost
Lab Openings:
Graduate Students:
Graduate students with an interest in nano-bio interfaces, synthesis of nanoparticles and nanoparticles for biophysical investigations. Additionally, students willing to work on translation of nanoparticles for medical applications.
Postdoctoral Researchers:
No openings at this time.
Undergraduates:
Undergraduates with an interest in biophysics, nano-bio interfaces, nanomaterials synthesis.
Contact Prof. Kelly Nash at kelly.nash@utsa.edu
Collaborators: Department/Company Affiliation
Hope Beier, Ph.D. RHDO/AFRL Ft. Sam Houston
Benjamin Furman, Ph.D. Chemistry Southwest Research Institute
Randolph Glickman, Ph.D. Dept. of Opthamology Univ. of Texas Health Science-San Antonio
Gregory Guisbiers, Ph.D. Dept. of Physics University of Texas at San Antonio
Ruyan Guo, Ph.D. Dept. of Electrical Engineering University of Texas at San Antonio
Bennett Ibey, Ph.D. RHDR/AFRL Ft. Sam Houston
Humberto Lara Villegas, M.D., Ph.D. Microbiology/Pathology Universidad de Monterry,Monterry, Mexico
Saher Maswadi, Ph.D. Owner EchoLase
Xomalin Peralta, Ph.D. AFRL Ft. Sam Houston
Heather Shipley, Ph.D. Dept. of Civil Engineering University of Texas at San Antonio
Arturo Montoya, Ph.D. Dept. of Civil Engineering University of Texas at San Antonio
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