DEVELOPING ELECTROCHEMICAL METHODS TO PROBE BIOLOGICAL REDOX INFORMATION

 

Gregory F. Payne, Professor

Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research and Fischell Department of Bioengineering

University of Maryland-College Park

 

Abstract

The Information Age transformed our lives but it has had surprisingly little impact on the way chemical information is acquired, analyzed and communicated.  Sensor systems are poised to change this situation by providing rapid access to chemical information.  One landmark of chemical information processing is the glucose biosensor that enabled diabetics to personalize their treatment.  The glucose sensor has also established a paradigm for sensors to selectively detect individual chemical compounds.  We suggest that alternative paradigms exist such that sensors could enlist the capabilities of signal processing to gain greater access to chemical information.  Our lab is focused on developing electrochemical methods to access chemical information in redox biology.  In this presentation, we will discuss recent results on the use of signal processing approaches (e.g., reverse engineering) to understand complex biologically-relevant redox interactions.

 

Brief Bio

Gregory F. Payne received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University in 1979 and 1981, respectively.  He received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from The University of Michigan in 1984.  After completing his Ph.D., he returned to Cornell to do post-doctoral work with Michael Shuler in biochemical engineering.  In 1986 Prof. Payne joined the faculty of the University of Maryland where he is currently a Professor jointly-appointed in the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research and the Fischell Department of Bioengineering.  His research is focused on biofabrication – the use of biological materials and mechanisms to confer structure and function to materials.  Specifically, his group is now peforming biofabrications using enzymes and biologically-derived polymers such as chitosan.  Prof. Payne has published over 150 peer-reviewed journal papers, been awarded 9 US patents, served on the advisory board of numerous international symposia and study sections, and received the University of Maryland Regents Award for research, scholarship and creative activity.  Currently, he spends several months each year in China where he is Guest Professor at Wuhan University and Chair Professor at East China University of Science and Technology.