| opportunity |
location |
|
| 13.15.15.B8531 |
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433 |
| name |
email |
phone |
|
| Jorge Luis Chavez Benavides |
jorge.chavez_benavides.2@us.af.mil |
352.672.1132 |
| Sean Harshman |
sean.harshman.1@us.af.mil |
937-938-3788 |
The Molecular Tools for Biosignature Tracking group (711 HPW/RHBC) is focused on engineering molecular tools to create systems that sense and respond to different types of analytes with focus on biomarkers of stress, fatigue and cognitive performance. Our technical work integrates the selection and design of biorecognition elements (BREs) that can bind different types of analytes, from small molecules to proteins, and their integration in different sensor platforms. We are particularly interested in nucleic acid (NAs)-based BREs due to their high affinity and selectivity and the ability to engineer different types of reporter signals upon analyte binding. This versatility provides the potential to create technological solutions to improve the Airman’s performance, from biomarker changes tracking in biofluids during in-the-field activities to neurochemicals tracking in the brain and peripheral tissue. We combined experimental and modelling tools to understand and improve BRE performance in different environments, including the interface of nanomaterials, in cellular systems and within larger multifunctional NA structures.
References:
Sardesai, N.; Liu, Y.; Shia, R.; Mirau, P.; Chávez, J.L.; Swami, N.S. “Nanoparticle- Mediated Signaling for Aptamer-Based Multiplexed Detection of Cortisol and Neuropeptide Y in Serum”, Chemosensors 2022, 10, 153.
Wolfe, M., Webb, S., Chushak, Y., Krabacher, R. Liu , Y., Swami, N., Harbaugh, S., Chávez, J.L “A high-throughput pipeline for design and selection of peptides targeting the SARS-Cov-2 Spike protein”, Sci Rep 2021, 11, 21768.
Xu, X., Clément P., Eklöf-Österberg, J., Kelley-Loughnane, N., Moth-Poulsen, K., Chávez, J.L., Palma, M.; “Reconfigurable Carbon Nanotube Multiplexed Sensing Devices”, Nano Lett., 2018, 18, 4130.
Citizenship: Open to U.S. citizens
Level: Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants
Human performance; Biomarkers; Biosignatures; Nucleic acids; Nanostructures; Sensors