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RAP opportunity at Air Force Science and Technology Fellowship Program     AF STFP

Molecular Tools for Biosignatures Tracking

Location

711th Human Performance Wing, RHB/Medical and Operational Biosciences Group

opportunity location
13.15.15.B8531 Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433

Advisers

name email phone
Jorge Luis Chavez Benavides jorge.chavez_benavides.2@us.af.mil 352.672.1132

Description

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

key words
Human performance; Biomarkers; Biosignatures; Nucleic acids; Nanostructures; Sensors

Eligibility

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens
Level:  Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants

Stipend

Base Stipend Travel Allotment Supplementation
$95,000.00 $5,000.00

Experience Supplement:
Postdoctoral and Senior Associates will receive an appropriately higher stipend based on the number of years of experience past their PhD.

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