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Our research at Texas Tech focuses on various areas of biological systems spanning the molecular, cellular, tissue (device) and human levels. At the molecular and cellular level, we are interested in the molecular organization and dynamics of the self-assembling lipid bilayer, an important component of the cell membranes, and the molecular mechanisms of its regulation of protein activities, e.g., calcium flux regulation by ion channels, antigen-antibody binding, protein binding and enzyme-mediated cholesterol oxidation. At the tissue or device level, we are interested in the chemistry of the radiation-induced polymerization of gel materials, the development of computational algorithm for quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (QMRI) and development of cell-based biochips. Our work in lipid bilayer has applications in the development of biosensors and drug-delivery liposomes. The work on QMRI has application in the dose verification and design of multi-dimensional conformal radiation therapy for cancer treatments. The work on biochips has practical applications in in-vitro cancer cell detection and drug delivery efficacy in tumor microvasculature. Finally, at the human level, we are interested in the area of physics education, particularly on the effect of internet technology on the students' understanding of physics concepts at the undergraduate level. |
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Research at the Molecular Level Our research interests at the molecular level are focused on studying the rotational dynamics, intra- and inter-molecular dynamics and lateral organization of self-assembling lipid molecules in bilayer membranes in the form of suspensions (liposomes) or in solid supported microchannels in biochips. These nanomaterials have interesting and novel applications in designing and creating liposomal drugs, vectors for non-viral based gene transfection and therapy, and functional templates for biosensors. Our techniques include time-resolved fluorescence, infrared and surface fluorescence microscopy. Our recent interests are in cholesterol domains of self-assembling lipid bilayers in both liposomes and in Lipid-Chips. Results Representative Publications
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Research at the
Cellular Level
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Research at the Tissue Level Our research interests at the tissue level are focused on the use of magnetic resonance imaging to explore the physics of the relaxation and diffusion behavior of water in biological tissues, e.g., live human brain, havested animal tissues, tissue-like polymeric materials. We have looked at the MR relaxation and diffusion maps of various systems, especially the effect of hyperthemia on the damage of tissues in-vivo. Our most recent interests are in the creation and development of methodology and calibration protocol of 3D MR gel dosimetry for dose verification of advanced conformal radiation therapy currently used in cancer therapy. Results Representative Publications
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Research at the Human Level Effect of Computer Technology on Student's Learning of Physics Our research interests at the human level are focused on the use of Internet Technology to enhance undergraduate physics teaching. Currently, we are interested in evaluating the roles of on-line homework, web-based course tool (WebCT), Java Applets (Physlets) and digital video on the students' understanding of the concept of force and motion. We are also examining the gender difference in the effectiveness of Internet Technology.Results Representative Publications
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