{"id":6499,"date":"2021-05-01T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-01T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/?p=6499"},"modified":"2026-10-28T10:49:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T14:49:15","slug":"zhang-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/2021\/05\/01\/zhang-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Microfluidic Biosensor for Monitoring Cilia Formation on Renal Proximal Tubule Epithelium"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>Mentors<\/h3>\n<table width=\"357\" height=\"42\" style=\"border: 2px solid white; margin-bottom: 0;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 2px solid white;\">\n\t<ul class=\"profile-listing profile-format-basic\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-basic has-title post-4511 profile type-profile status-publish hentry departments-bme departments-mse-dept affiliation-faculty program-year-yr-2018 program-year-yr-2021 program-year-yr-2022 program-year-yr-2023\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/profile\/christopher-chen\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-basic\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-basic\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/photonics-programs\/files\/2023\/01\/Chen-Chris-112017-21336-1-600x600-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-basic\">Christopher Chen<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-basic\">Professor (BME, MSE)<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 2px solid white;\">\n\t<ul class=\"profile-listing profile-format-basic\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<li class=\"profile-item profile-item-basic has-title post-5762 profile type-profile status-publish hentry departments-bme affiliation-postdoctoral program-year-yr-2024\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/profile\/claudia-varela\/\" class=\"profile-link profile-link-basic\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"profile-photo profile-photo-basic\"><img width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"\/photonics-programs\/files\/2025\/01\/Claudia-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t<h6 class=\"profile-name profile-name-basic\">Claudia Varela<\/h6>\n\t\t<p class=\"profile-title profile-title-basic\">Postdoctoral Fellow<\/p>\t<\/a>\n\n\t\n<\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3 style=\"margin-top: 0;\">Project Description<\/h3>\n<p><span><spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">The renal proximal tubule is a segment of the kidney\u2019s nephron that actively carries out endocrine and regulatory functions, most notably filtration. The proximal tubule also serves as the primary site of local interstitial accumulation of drugs within the kidney. Nephrotoxicity induced by this accumulation, as well as kidney injury, typically account for 20% of drug attrition during phase III clinical trials. This late detection of nephrotoxicity is largely due to the poor predictive value of animal models resulting from interspecies variability, and a lack of widely accepted human cell line in vitro models. Therefore, optimized methods for renal toxicity prediction are fundamental to maximizing patient safety and improving the drug development success rate.<\/spanaptos><\/span><\/p>\n<p>In this project, we will develop a microfluidic biosensor for monitoring cilia formation on the surface of renal epithelial cells. Tissue level viability will be observed through confocal microscopy of tight junctions and primary cilia. Students will explore the dynamics of embedded microelectronics and correlate electrical readouts of the cells to changes in these physiological parameters.<\/p>\n<div class=\" bu-callout alignright\"><\/p>\n<h3>Research Participants<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #808080;\"><em>Program: INM<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/photonics-programs\/files\/2025\/01\/20240801_REU-Lab-Headshots-Lea-001-636x424.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"424\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5958 alignnone\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/files\/2025\/01\/20240801_REU-Lab-Headshots-Lea-001-636x424.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/files\/2025\/01\/20240801_REU-Lab-Headshots-Lea-001-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/files\/2025\/01\/20240801_REU-Lab-Headshots-Lea-001-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/files\/2025\/01\/20240801_REU-Lab-Headshots-Lea-001-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/files\/2025\/01\/20240801_REU-Lab-Headshots-Lea-001-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Aanahita Ervin, Research Experiences for Undergraduates.<\/p>\n<p>Hear what Aanahita&#8217;s taking with her from her time at BU.<br \/>\n<a href='#' class='button button'>Learn More<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/photonics-programs\/files\/2025\/01\/20240801_REU-Lab-Headshots-Lea-001-636x424.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"424\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-5958\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/files\/2025\/01\/20240801_REU-Lab-Headshots-Lea-001-636x424.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/files\/2025\/01\/20240801_REU-Lab-Headshots-Lea-001-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/files\/2025\/01\/20240801_REU-Lab-Headshots-Lea-001-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/files\/2025\/01\/20240801_REU-Lab-Headshots-Lea-001-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/files\/2025\/01\/20240801_REU-Lab-Headshots-Lea-001-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-sheets-root=\"1\">Dr. Kimberly Stieglitz<\/span>, Research Experiences for Teachers.<\/p>\n<p>Hear how <span data-sheets-root=\"1\">Dr. Kimberly Stieglitz<\/span> took what she learned back to her classroom.<br \/>\n<a href='#' class='button button'>Learn More<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container  bu_collapsible_open\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"true\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Research Goals<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" >\n<ul>\n<li><spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">To develop an embedded microelectrode array capable of noninvasively sensing cilia formation in real-time with a microfluidic biochip.<\/spanaptos><\/li>\n<li><spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">Validate methods to measure electric field changes within the microfluidic channel.<\/spanaptos><\/li>\n<li><spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">Develop methods for automated counting of primary cilia from confocal images.<\/spanaptos><\/li>\n<li><spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">Measure cilia formation and epithelium viability using impedance measurements.<\/spanaptos><\/li>\n<li><spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">Correlate confocal and electrical measurements<\/spanaptos>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container  bu_collapsible_open\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"true\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Learning Goals<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" >\n<ul>\n<li><spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">Learn about conventional microelectrode fabrication techniques.<\/spanaptos><\/li>\n<li><spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">Learn about the nephron and renal proximal tubule epithelium physiology.<\/spanaptos><\/li>\n<li><spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">Learn how immunochemistry and confocal microscopy observe cell viability.<\/spanaptos><\/li>\n<li><spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">Learn about software for simulating electric field distributions.<\/spanaptos><\/li>\n<li><spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">Learn the basics of impedance sensing and its application in microfluidic biosensing<\/spanaptos>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<br \/>\n<h3>Timeline<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #003366;\"><strong>Weeks 1-2:<\/strong><\/span> <spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">Delve into the literature of biosensing and microfluidic devices for monitoring epithelial tissue layers.<\/spanaptos><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #003366;\"><strong>Weeks 2-3:<\/strong><\/span> <spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">Begin initial multiphysics simulations with COMSOL to validate adequate electric field distribution across the apical surface of the cell layer.<\/spanaptos><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #003366;\"><strong>Weeks 4-6:<\/strong><\/span> I<spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">ntroduction to microfabrication. Students will learn the basics of fabricating microelectrode arrays for biosensors while preparing microfluidic devices for confocal and impedance monitoring experiments.<\/spanaptos><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #003366;\"><strong>Week 5:<\/strong><\/span> <spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">Teachers will begin to expose themselves to the biosensing literature and familiarize themselves with the student\u2019s progress. Students will be responsible for explaining the microfabrication process employed in this project to the teachers as they continue to learn together in the cleanroom<\/spanaptos>.<br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #003366;\"><strong>Week 6:<\/strong><\/span> <spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">Students and teachers will work together to assemble completed bilayer microfluidic devices<\/spanaptos><spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">.<\/spanaptos><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #003366;\"><strong>Weeks 7-8:<\/strong><\/span> <spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">Initial biological experiments. Renal cell seeding into microfluidic devices and c<spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">ontinuous electrical measurement recording. Periodic confocal imaging.<\/spanaptos><\/spanaptos><spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\"><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #003366;\"><strong>Week 9:<\/strong><\/span> <spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\"><spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">Correlation analysis of physiological parameters and impedance measurements.<\/spanaptos><\/spanaptos><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #003366;\"><strong>Week 1o:<\/strong><\/span> <spanaptos narrow=\"\" arial=\"\" font-style:normal=\"\" color:=\"\" 000000=\"\" data-sheets-root=\"1\">Wrap up final experiments and prepare for REU\/RET poster session.<\/spanaptos><\/spanaptos><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mentors Project Description The renal proximal tubule is a segment of the kidney\u2019s nephron that actively carries out endocrine and regulatory functions, most notably filtration. The proximal tubule also serves as the primary site of local interstitial accumulation of drugs within the kidney. Nephrotoxicity induced by this accumulation, as well as kidney injury, typically account [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22960,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[132,127,68,67],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6499"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22960"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6499"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6499\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11784,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6499\/revisions\/11784"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6499"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6499"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/photonics-programs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6499"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}