(236d) Chemical Engineering as Preparation for Systems Biology

Professor Leonard's research in artificial kidneys and regenerative medicine has led to his modeling of intracellular activity, especially, signal transduction and gene networks. By a different path (from coal pyrolysis to automotive paint to systems biology), my research has come to focus on cell signaling and networks. My Columbia education and Professor Leonard's classes, in particular, have served me well in these various research topics. Research in my group focuses on understanding the mechanism of diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's and cancer, and identifying potential targets and pathways, using systems biology approaches, that may prevent or delay the onset of these pathologies. Systems biology integrates and applies mathematics, statistics, engineering, physics, and computer science to the understanding of a range of complex biological regulatory systems. Concomitantly, we are developing delivery systems to target these pathways. This presentation will provide an overview of the biomedical research on-going in my group.