Prof. Erkin Şeker from Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at UC Davis will be giving a seminar on

"Multifunctional Nanoporous Gold Coatings and Neural Tissue Chips".

The seminar information can be found below:

Date and Time: 20 May 2024, Monday at 13:40,

Location: Department of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering (METE) Auditorium C-205

Abstract: Miniaturization technology and nanostructured materials have led to significant advances in many fields including biomedical sciences. In this talk, I will first describe our research efforts to control nano‐/micro‐scale properties of nanoporous gold (np‐Au), which had mostly attracted attention for catalysis applications while its biomedical applications were nascent. Specifically, I will discuss the development of np‐Au‐based multifunctional electrode arrays for monitoring/modulating neural activity and electrochemical nucleic acid sensors that can operate in complex biological matrices. I will then discuss our ongoing efforts toward implementing the described technologies into microfluidic tissue chips plated with primary rat cortical cells and vagal afferent neurons. I will conclude the talk by illustrating the versatility of the neural tissue chips for modeling various physiological phenomena broadly related to the gut‐brain axis, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration.

Bio: Erkin Şeker is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Co‐Director for the Center for Neuroengineering and Medicine, and the Chair of the newly‐established Designated Emphasis in Neuroengineering. His research and teaching interests are at the intersection of micro‐/nano‐technology and its applications to microelectronics and medicine. He received his PhD degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Virginia (UVA) in 2007 and held postdoctoral positions in the Department of Chemistry at UVA and at the Center for Engineering in Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. He is the recipient of a UC Davis – Graduate Studies Distinguished Graduate and Postdoctoral Mentorship Award, UC Davis – Academic Senate Distinguished Graduate and Professional Teaching Award, an National Science Foundation CAREER Award, and an National Institutes of Health Trailblazer Award.