PhD Student Payam Amiri: PhD Dissertation Defense Presentation – “The Development of a Novel Blood-Brain Barrier, Organ-on-a-Chip System and the Identification of Erythrocytes as a Key Contributor to Age-Associated Neurological Decline”

Please join us for PhD student, Payam Amiri’s PhD dissertation defense presentation on “The Development of a Novel Blood-Brain Barrier, Organ-on-a-Chip System and the Identification of Erythrocytes as a Key Contributor to Age-Associated Neurological Decline”

Advancements in modern medicine have greatly extended human life expectancy. However, with the onset of age-associated conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, autoimmune disorders, and certain cancers, healthy aging is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. Blood exchanges between young and old partners demonstrate old blood can cause detrimental effect to the young animal, notably on the brain tissue. However, the complexity of blood makes it difficult to identify what role the individual factors play in the aggregate observed effect. This dissertation seeks to explore the potential effects of erythrocytes on the brain as we age. Erythrocyte morphology and rigidity changes as mammals age, altering their physical dynamics as they flow within the capillary bed. This impacts downstream biological events, such as the release of reactive oxygen species and hemoglobin, potentially compromising the blood-brain barrier. This work outlines the development of the next generation of blood exchange tools to further understand the role of blood in aging. Additionally, this work aims to develop a novel blood-brain barrier, organ-on-a-chip and to test the impact of erythrocytes on the brain. In doing so, we identify erythrocytes as a critical contributor to age-associated neurological decline.

Date: November 30, 2021

Time: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Location: 535 Bldg. – 35 Classroom (Zoom link will be on Outlook invite)