Mar05
Posted on Mar 5 by
Gabby has made her way into the lab this semester! She became involved in Dr. Gerdon’s research team last semester and has finally started working on some QCM analysis. So far Gabby has measured the change in frequency compared to the change in resistance for several QCM crystals in a non-mass loading system. Once this initial experiment is done, Gabby will be moving on to some experiments that will involve mass loading which will require the analysis from this initial experiment. Gabby is looking forward to the rest of the semester and everything the lab has in store for her and the research...
Mar05
Posted on Mar 5 by
Rylie is very excited to start working in the lab this semester! In the fall, Rylie joined Dr. Gerdon’s research group after reading several literature papers and coming to group meetings. Now, she is working on gold nanoparticle synthesis using a new molecule, 3-mercaptobenzoic acid, as the organic group. Using the Azubel method, she hopes to be able to select for uniform nanoparticles of different sizes and eventually helping to build a library of nanoparticles. Rylie is looking forward to starting the research process and learning more about nanoparticle synthesis this...
Feb20
Posted on Feb 20 by
This semester, Logan is looking forward to expanding his technique in microfluidics by adding QCM (quartz crystal microbalance) into the mix. Adding QCM allows Logan to measure and calculate the amount of solid formed in the device during the experiment of calcium carbonate or calcium phosphate mineralization. However, Logan first needs to work with Dr. Gerdon on creating new QCM microfluidics devices in order to guarantee accurate readings and more reliable results. Logan looks forward to finishing the devices and running QCM microfluidics experiments with...
Feb13
Posted on Feb 13 by
After making progress last semester with intrafibrillar mineralization in the collagen hydrogels using Poly-Aspartic acid and DNA aptamers, Amanda is going to continue to make more hydrogels. This time, she will be mineralizing the gels with a lower concentration of poly-aspartic acid and two different DNA aptamers. Then, she will lyophilize the gels and take IR. Amanda is excited to see how these results compare to the data and SEM images from last...
Feb06
Posted on Feb 6 by
After enjoying a relaxing winter break, Dianna has made it back to the research lab. Last semester ended with one last nanoparticle synthesis using the Azubel method. These nanoparticles were dried and left in the lab for a month until Dianna returned and was able to take NMR of the sample. Although getting into the lab after the first full week of classes was a challenge, it reminded Dianna of how exciting research is and how great it is to be back at Emmanuel. The semester plan is to try out the Templeton synthesis and to compare these results with the Azubel data using TEM and NMR. For now, Dianna and the rest of the GRAB Lab students are just happy to be back in the...
Feb06
Posted on Feb 6 by
This past week the research group (GRAB: Gerdon Research in Analytical Biomaterials) welcomed non-science members of the Emmanuel College community into the Wilkens Science Center for a fun and informative introduction to lab. Emmanuel College faculty, staff, and students joined in even though they had very little (or no) prior experience in science lab work or science research. They learned about what we do related to calcium biomaterials (calcium carbonate related to ocean chemistry and coral reefs; calcium phosphate related to bone and teeth formation) then they participated in some mineralization experiments with an opportunity for them to explore and to mix together anything they wanted from a “menu” of options. The best part was the teamwork between members of the research group and the participants of the program. What a great experience for all! Thank you to the research group, the Department of Chemistry and Physics, and to the National Science Foundation (DMR 1904460) for...
