Multiscale Patient-Specific Systems Biology
Scott L. Diamond
Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
University of Pennsylvania
Monday, March 23, 2015
10:30 a.m.
Biodesign Institute, Building B (BDB) 105, Tempe campus [map]
Abstract
Predicting tissue function based upon an individual’s unique cells requires a multiscale Systems Biology approach to understand the coupling of intracellular signaling with spatiotemporal gradients of extracellular biochemicals. Hundreds of spatiotemporal reactions proceed within activating platelets and the polymerizing plasma when blood clots under flow. Clinically, excessive bleeding and clotting represent the two extremes of blood function that often concern patients and their doctors. Using high throughput experimentation, Diamond and team obtained a large set of platelet responses to combinatorial activators in order to train a neural network (NN) model of platelet activation for several individuals. Each NN model was then embedded into a kinetic Monte Carlo/finite element/lattice Boltzmann simulation of stochastic platelet deposition under flow. In silico representations of an individual’s platelet phenotype allowed prediction of blood function under flow (as measured using microfluidics), essential to prioritizing patient-specific cardiovascular risk and drug response or to identify unsuspected gene mutations.
Biography
Dr. Diamond’s research involves gene therapy, blood systems biology and protease proteomics, microfluidics and biorheology, endothelial mechanobiology, and high throughput screening. The Diamond lab has pioneered the use of nonclassical nuclear localization sequences and cationic steroids for nonviral DNA delivery, printed chemical microarrays for high throughput screening, and stochastic simulation for blood systems biology. Scott is the founding director of the Penn Center for Molecular Discovery, a multi-disciplinary center designed to discover new biologically useful agents.
Honors & Awards: Heilmeier Award for Excellence in Faculty Research – 2009, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Allan P. Colburn Award – 1999, National American Heart Association Established Investigator Award – 1999, NSF National Young Investigator Award – 1993, NIH FIRST Award – 1992.
Affiliations: Associate Director and Charter Member of Institute for Medicine and Engineering; Director of Biotechnology Program; Director, Penn Center for Molecular Discovery
Education:
PhD Chemical Engineering 1990 – Rice University BS Chemical Engineering 1986 – Cornell University
