Research
Therapeutic Ultrasound in Wound Healing
Low-frequency (20-100 kHz), Low-intensity (100 mW/cm2 SPTP) Therapeutic Ultrasound has been shown to clinically advance the healing of chronic wounds. The lab is particularly interested in understanding the interaction of ultrasound with key cell types (eg. macrophages, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts) involved in wound healing.
Biological Mechanisms of Ultrasound
The biological mechanisms of non-cavitational, non-thermal therapeutic ultrasound are not yet understood. The Boerman lab is investigating the possible biological mechanism(s) of therapeutic ultrasound including but not limited to exploring the possible interactions through mechanobiology and ECM modulation while using a tissue engineering approach.
Microfluidics
Microfluidics are used in the lab to mimic physiological conditions under fluid flow when studying the interactions between ultrasound and endothelial cell biology. We are developing novel micofluidic designs to better characterize endothelial behavior under ultrasound as it relates to angiogenesis with the potential for broader impacts in regenerative medicine.
Lead-free Ultrasound Applicators
The majority of ultrasound devices are made using PZT ceramics, which contain roughly 60% lead. We are exploring lead-free alternatives to develop environmentally sustainable low-frequency (20-100kHz), low-intensity (100 mW/cm2) ultrasound applicators and ensuring the new lead-free transducers have the same biological effects.
Selected Publications
Boerman O, Abedin Z, DiMaria-Ghalili RA, Weingarten MS, Neidrauer M, Lewin PA, Spiller KL. Gene expression changes in therapeutic ultrasound-treated venous leg ulcers. Front Med (Lausanne). 2023 Mar 30;10:1144182. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1144182. PMID: 37064037; PMCID: PMC10098114.
Ngo O, Niemann E, Gunasekaran V, Sankar P, Putterman M, Lafontant A, Nadkarni S, DiMaria-Ghalili RA, Neidrauer M, Zubkov L, Weingarten M, Margolis DJ, Lewin PA. Development of Low Frequency (20-100 kHz) Clinically Viable Ultrasound Applicator for Chronic Wound Treatment. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control. 2019 Mar;66(3):572-580. doi: 10.1109/TUFFC.2018.2836311. Epub 2018 May 14. PMID: 29993739; PMCID: PMC6542367.
Swaminathan S, Ngo O, Basehore S, Clyne AM. Vascular Endothelial-Breast Epithelial Cell Coculture Model Created from 3D Cell Structures. ACS Biomater Sci Eng. 2017 Nov 13;3(11):2999-3006. doi: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.6b00624. Epub 2017 Jan 10. PMID: 33418720; PMCID: PMC8670894.
Canver AC, Ngo O, Urbano RL, Clyne AM. Endothelial directed collective migration depends on substrate stiffness via localized myosin contractility and cell-matrix interactions. J Biomech. 2016 May 24;49(8):1369-1380. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.12.037. Epub 2015 Dec 31. PMID: 26792289.
Recent News
Kelsey Boyle (BME ’24) featured on Bucknell Engineering News for her work!
Connor Kozick (BME ’26) was featured on Bucknell News and in the Fall Magazine for his work!
Kelsey Boyle, BME ’24 will be presenting her work at BMES Annual Symposium in Seattle, Washington! Congratulations, Kelsey!
Damien Mahanama, BME ’24 will be presenting his work at BMES Annual Symposium in Seattle, Washington! Congratulations, Damien!
Michael Daanen, BME ’25 will be presenting his work at BMES Annual Symposium in Seattle, Washington! Congratulations, Michael!
Teddy Lubash, BME ’25 will be presenting his work at BMES Annual Symposium in Seattle, Washington! Congratulations, Teddy!
Enzo Ottaviani, BME ’25 will be presenting his work at BMES Annual Symposium in Seattle, Washington! Congratulations, Enzo!
Sasha Heistand, Biochem/Cell Bio ’26 will be presenting her work at BMES Annual Symposium in Seattle, Washington! Congratulations, Sasha!
Connor Kozick, BME ’26 will be presenting his work at BMES Annual Symposium in Seattle, Washington! Congratulations, Connor!