Congratulations to Rachel Moen in the Ethan Lippmann research group! Rachel’s paper, “Hydrogel Embedding of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Supports Extracellular Vesicle Production,” published in Biotechnology and Bioengineering, has been selected as this week’s Spotlight Publication.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from adherent cells are promising therapeutics for a wide variety of diseases. Previous studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived EVs have many applications in wound healing and regenerative medicine. Specifically, MSC-derived EVs are safer than cell-based therapies because they do not involve the administration of live cells to patients. However, a lack of scalable workflows for producing EVs from 2D adherent sources is a major current limitation of the field. One proposed method for culture scale-up is to encapsulate MSCs in a gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel, which provides a 3D matrix that better mimics the in vivo microenvironment of human cells and can be shaped into spherical beads or thin films to support growth of shear-sensitive cells inside bioreactors. To establish proof of concept, we embedded MSCs in a layer of GelMA hydrogel to assess the production rate, molecular properties, and functional characteristics of EVs collected from 3D cultures. Hydrogel-encapsulated MSCs yielded a greater number of EVs per volume of culture compared to traditionally grown unencapsulated MSCs, and 3D cultures produced EVs with improved functionality in a scratch assay relative to vehicle treatment. These findings support the hypothesis that GelMA can be used to support scalable manufacturing of bioactive EVs from adherent cell sources.

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She was recognized for her presentation, “Biofunctionalized Zwitterionic Polymers for High Specificity Porous Silicon Biosensing.” In this work, zwitterionic antifouling polymers grafted from porous silicon were biofunctionalized to provide selective capture sites on a fouling-resistant sensor surface. The research demonstrated detection of low concentrations of DNA oligonucleotides and SARS-CoV-2 antigen in 50% human blood serum without the need for complex biofluid processing or amplification techniques.

This achievement represents a significant advancement for porous silicon optical biosensors and their potential application in clinical sample analysis, enabling highly specific biomolecule detection in complex biological fluids.

This recognition highlights Smail’s contribution to advancing next-generation biosensing technologies with improved sensitivity, specificity, and real-world clinical applicability.

Soren Smail is a member of the  led by , Cornelius �������� Professor of Engineering and director of the VINSE She is co-advised by Paul Laibinis, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering.

VINSE successfully concluded its June professional development programming with four hands-on short courses and a collaborative quantum computing workshop, welcoming more than 90 participants from across academia, industry, K-12 education, and the broader community.

More than 40 participants attended VINSE’s short courses in Microfluidic Device Fabrication, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Microfabrication, and Advanced Imaging Techniques. Attendees included �������� students and researchers, participants from other universities, industry professionals, a high school teacher, and members of the community, reflecting VINSE’s commitment to expanding access to advanced research training.

In partnership with Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), VINSE also hosted From Atoms to Quantum Computers, a full-day workshop introducing participants to the fundamentals of quantum science and hands-on programming with Qiskit using IBM Quantum hardware. The workshop attracted more than 50 attendees interested in exploring the rapidly evolving field of quantum computing.

VINSE’s short courses and workshops provide hands-on training in advanced research techniques while fostering collaboration across disciplines and institutions. By bringing together participants from ��������, other universities, industry, K-12 education, and the community, these programs support VINSE’s commitment to advancing research, education, and workforce development in nanoscale science, engineering, and emerging technologies.

VINSE is excited to announce that the Elionix ELS-BODEN 50 electron beam lithography (EBL) system is now available to users in the cleanroom.

The new tool brings a major boost in both resolution and throughput, enabling fabrication of features as small as 10 nm while reducing write times from days to just hours. With advanced automation, dynamic write-field correction, and a range of beam currents for nanoscale to large-area patterning applications, the BODEN makes high-performance nanofabrication faster and more efficient than ever.

The system also features automated multilayer alignment with accuracies of ±20 nm and a optical prealigner that streamlines sample setup and minimizes resist exposure.

For training and access information, please visit: EBL Elionix ELS-BODEN

Bartelsen’s research focuses on the sub-diffraction confinement of electromagnetic energy using polaritons and the design and fabrication of nanoscale optical structures. Her work advances photonic sensing technologies for sensitive gas detection, with applications in environmental monitoring and noninvasive breath-based metabolic sensing for diabetic care.

In addition to her research, Bartelsen is actively engaged in STEM outreach through programs such as VINSE NanoGuides, where she introduces students to optics, nanotechnology, and cleanroom nanofabrication.

Emma is a member of the VU Nanophotonic Materials and Devices Group led by Josh Caldwell, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and director of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Materials Science.

The Interdisciplinary Materials Science (IMS) graduate program is pleased to announce the arrival of 10 new PhD students who will join the program this upcoming academic year. This cohort reflects the program’s commitment to bringing together scholars from diverse academic disciplines and institutions to advance innovation in materials science.

The incoming students are:

• Sonja Boettcher – M.S. in Physics, Fisk University; B.S. in Physics, University of Nevada, Reno
• Christian Heffner – M.S. in Physics, Fisk University; B.S. in Physics, Fisk University
• Ke Huang – Doctoral study in Chemistry, Florida State University; M.S. in Engineering Mechanics, Xi’an Jiaotong University
• Kayla James – Doctoral study in Chemistry, Florida State University; B.S. in Biotechnology, University of Central Florida
• Joonyoung Kee – Doctoral study in Chemistry, Florida State University; M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Kyung Hee University
• Kenneth Klutse – B.S. in Biochemistry, Lipscomb University
• Brianna Landwersiek – B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, West Chester University
• Xiaozhao Liu – Doctoral study in Chemistry, Florida State University; prior study in Chemistry, Northern Illinois University
• Jose Rosario Figueroa – M.S. in Nanoengineering, North Carolina State University; post-baccalaureate certificate in Nanotechnology, University of Texas at Austin
• Robert Shields – B.S. in Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara

The Interdisciplinary Materials Science program looks forward to supporting these students as they begin their doctoral studies and contribute to collaborative, cross-disciplinary research.

Congratulations to Zachary Martin in the Sharon Weiss research group! Zack’s paper, “Multichromatic porous silicon RGB rugate filters for use in smartphone biosensing,” published in Applied Optics, has been selected as this week’s Spotlight Publication.

This work is motivated by the goal of developing smartphone-based sensing devices that can quantify biomarker concentration, but with the detection capabilities of standard laboratory tests like ELISA. Smartphones are portable, widely available, and provide a practical platform for colorimetric biosensing outside of traditional laboratory settings, and without the need of specialized equipment. In this work, a porous silicon multichromatic rugate filter was fabricated to convert broadband white light from a smartphone’s flash LED into narrow red, green, and blue illumination bands to enable multichromatic sensing, where color change indicates capture of target biomolecules. The filter was designed using transfer matrix simulations, fabricated through electrochemical etching of porous silicon, and experimentally verified to produce three distinct reflection peaks. Smartphone imaging and CIE chromaticity analysis confirmed that the filter produced the intended multichromatic light, while simulations show that this filtered illumination can generate larger color changes in response to biomolecule-induced refractive index shifts than ordinary white-light illumination. This research is a step forward in the design of a low-cost, smartphone-based point-of-care biosensing platform that can perform quantitative analysis without external light sources.

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Keynote Lecture

Modified Self-Amplifying RNAs Are the Next Frontier in RNA Therapeutics

Dr. Grinstaff will present groundbreaking advances in self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) technology and discuss how modified nucleotides can dramatically improve the potency, durability, and therapeutic potential of RNA-based medicines. His lecture will highlight recent discoveries that challenge long-standing assumptions in the field and open new possibilities for vaccines, cell therapies, and protein replacement therapies.

�������� the Speaker

Mark W. Grinstaff is the William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor and Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, and Medicine at Boston University. He also serves as Director of Boston University’s Nanotechnology Innovation Center and Director of the NIH T32 Biomaterials Program.

An internationally recognized leader in biomaterials, nanotechnology, and translational medicine, Dr. Grinstaff has received numerous honors, including the ACS Nobel Laureate Signature Award, NSF CAREER Award, Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences Award, Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, ACS Award in Applied Polymer Science, RSC Centenary Prize, and the National Science Foundation Trailblazer Engineering Impact Award. He is a Fellow of multiple scientific and engineering societies and a Founding Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.

Dr. Grinstaff’s research accomplishments include more than 450 peer-reviewed publications, over 250 patents and patent applications, and more than 57,000 citations. His work has contributed to several commercialized medical technologies and products that have improved patient care worldwide.

Lecture Abstract

The discovery by Karikó and Weissman of the role of modified nucleotides in RNA transformed messenger RNA (mRNA) into a powerful therapeutic platform. However, the short half-life of mRNA often requires high doses, limiting accessibility and increasing the risk of side effects. Self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) offers an alternative approach by enabling prolonged protein expression at substantially lower doses, but its effectiveness has been constrained by strong innate immune responses that trigger RNA degradation and inhibit translation.

Recent work from the Grinstaff laboratory has demonstrated that specific modified nucleoside triphosphates, including 5-methylcytidine triphosphate (m5C), can be incorporated into saRNA at full substitution, resulting in enhanced immune evasion and significantly improved protein expression. Published in Nature Biotechnology (2025), this discovery overturns decades of conventional thinking that modified nucleotides are incompatible with self-amplifying RNA.

In preclinical studies, m5C-modified saRNA demonstrated substantially improved protein expression across multiple cell types, prolonged in vivo expression exceeding 30 days, reduced interferon responses, and enhanced vaccine performance. These findings greatly expand the therapeutic possibilities of saRNA technology, enabling more potent vaccines and creating opportunities for applications in cell therapy, protein replacement, and other non-vaccine modalities.

Date: November 19, 2026
Time: 4:10 p.m.
Location: Ballroom, Student Life Center

Dr. Brad Berron

Research Director of Beam Institute
Professor of Chemical Engineering
University of Kentucky

Engineering the Future of Kentucky Bourbon

09.09.26  |  4:10PM |

Kentucky’s bourbon industry produces over $10 billion in economic impact. The Beam Institute at the University of Kentucky brings together a group of more than 60 researchers across campus – and across the country – who are working together to tackle issues relevant to distillation, wine and brewing studies. This seminar will focus on areas that engineering students and faculty are making an impact on the future of the bourbon industry. We will discuss a portfolio of projects including the mass transfer analysis of distilled spirits through American white oak, the role of reactive distillation in the mitigation of potential carcinogens, and the upcycling of distillery wastes.

������.��Dr. Brad Berron is the Research Director at The University of Kentucky’s James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits, coordinating the university’s research initiatives with over twenty distilleries and various industry partners. Beyond his managerial responsibilities, Dr. Berron’s research team is at the forefront bourbon innovation, leading multiple projects aimed at advancing industry sustainability, optimizing barrel yield, and enhancing overall distillate quality. Dr. Berron co-chairs the Research and Technical Committee for the Kentucky Distillers Association, he sits on the Distilling Subcommittee for the American Society of Brewing Chemists, and he is an active member of the American Distilling Institute’s Distilling Research Grant Advisory Team. Dr. Berron earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from �������� where he was a part of the �������� Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (VINSE) from 2003 to 2008 under the mentorship of G. Kane Jennings. When not researching bourbon, Dr. Berron enjoys biking the rolling hill of the bluegrass.

VINSE is excited to welcome Lauren Bayer, Sariah D’Empaire-Salomon, Thaissa Peixoto, and Kirsten Stinson as the newest members of the NanoGuides program. NanoGuides are graduate student ambassadors who lead tours, assist with outreach activities, and share nanoscale science with students and visitors across campus. With these additions, VINSE continues to expand its network of ambassadors representing departments across science and engineering.

Lauren Bayer is a graduate student in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering working in Dr. Carlos Silvera Batista’s laboratory. Her research investigates colloidal systems and interfaces under applied electric fields. Lauren is passionate about community engagement and STEM education, particularly inspiring young students to envision futures in science and engineering. She regularly uses the VINSE cleanroom to fabricate microfluidic channels and devices. Lauren earned a B.S. in chemical and petroleum engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, where she also completed a chemistry minor and a German Language Certificate. Her recent honors include the Outstanding TA Award from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the Mentor Award from Strong Women Strong Girls.

Sariah D’Empaire-Salomon is a graduate student in the Interdisciplinary Materials Science program conducting research in the Adams Lab at the intersection of materials science, biomechanics, and neurotrauma. Her work focuses on developing biofidelic human head surrogates using soft polymer and hydrogel materials to investigate how blast waves and impact loading contribute to traumatic brain injury. Sariah is excited about the role nanoscience, advanced materials, and fabrication tools can play in designing better protective systems for warfighters and first responders. She earned a B.S. in biology from Livingstone College and is a recipient of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and the Provost’s Graduate Fellowship.

Thaissa Peixoto is a graduate student in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and a member of the Gonzales Lab. Her research interests include peripheral nerve stimulation, flexible electrode fabrication, and brain-computer interfaces. Thaissa has enjoyed using VINSE facilities to fabricate, image, test, and develop microscale devices and looks forward to sharing that enthusiasm with others as a NanoGuide. She earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and is a recipient of the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, the Provost’s Graduate Research Fellowship, and the Spring TA Award.

Kirsten Stinson is a graduate student in the Department of Chemistry conducting research in the Macdonald Lab. Her work focuses on phase control of metal chalcogenides and pnictides through the synthesis of nanoparticles with a variety of structures and morphologies. Kirsten is passionate about making science engaging and accessible for learners of all backgrounds and enjoys finding creative ways to explain scientific concepts. Through her research and previous teaching and outreach experiences, she has developed extensive familiarity with VINSE facilities. She earned a B.S. in biochemistry from Taylor University and received the Undergraduate Award for Inorganic Chemistry.

Together, Lauren, Sariah, Thaissa, and Kirsten bring enthusiasm, expertise, and a passion for outreach to VINSE’s mission, helping inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Are you interested in joining the NanoGuides program?
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