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Implementation of Methods for Cell Therapy Research and Assessment of the Impact of Cryopreservation
Get PDFCell therapy is the administration of living cells into a patient to prevent or treat a variety of diseases and illnesses. The cell therapy industry is rapidly expanding, and continued research is necessary for manufacturing safe and effective therapies. Although cell therapy manufacturing generally involves cryopreservation processes for storage, there are limited standards for cryopreservation processes and assays required to evaluate cell therapies post-thaw, and limited understanding exists about how a recovery period post-thaw could impact cell health. The overall goal of this thesis was to evaluate the effect of cryopreservation and potential subsequent recovery time on cell viability.
Because of cell therapy research’s novelty within Dr. Kristen Cardinal’s Tissue Engineering Laboratory at Cal Poly, the first aim of this thesis was to establish and implement protocols for cell therapy applicable cell types and evaluation assays. Methods for thawing, culturing, and freezing adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC-ATs) and RAW 264.7 murine macrophages were designed and optimized. Protocols for three viability assays – Trypan Blue, alamarBlue, and MT Cell Viability – were developed for both cell types. The results of the first aim showed successful establishment of new cell types for cell therapy research and development of cell viability assays.
The second aim of this thesis was to establish baseline viabilities for hMSC-ATs and RAW 264.7s post-thaw and assess the impact of protocol timing on cell viability. Documentation of baseline viabilities is important for future hMSC-AT and RAW 264.7 cell therapy-based work. The results of this aim demonstrated cell viabilities of hMSC-ATs in the 90-95% range and of RAW 264.7s in the 36-46% range immediately post-thaw. After a period of culture, cell viabilities of hMSC-ATs were in the 95-99% range and RAW 264.7s were in the 55-78% range. Protocol timing showed
no significant effect on viability of hMSC-ATs and RAW 264.7s up to 100 min. at ambient conditions.
The third aim of this thesis was to assess the impact of recovery time, cell density, and the culture chamber on viability of hMSC-ATs and RAW 264.7s. Trypan Blue viability measurements were taken over a 24 hr. recovery period at different cell densities and culture chambers (petri dish or conical). The results of this aim showed a statistical decrease in hMSC-AT viability after 1 hr. of recovery time and no statistical significance for RAW 264.7s. Densities did not impact either cell types’ viability. Culturing cells in a conical post-thaw showed statistically higher viability for both hMSC-ATs and RAW 264.7s than cells in a petri dish.
Overall, the work of this thesis developed methods for continued cell therapy research and assessment of recovery time in the Tissue Engineering Laboratory. The data provided a foundation for evaluation of freshly thawed cells and recovery time, which will hopefully lead to more cell therapy research at Cal Poly and ultimately improve cell therapy efficaciousness
Teaching the Equivalent Rectangular Stress Block
Get PDFThe equivalent rectangular stress block is the basis for determining the flexural strength of reinforced concrete members. Instructors commonly present the concept in two dimensions, contrary to its three-dimensional nature. Unfortunately, this can be particularly difficult for students to understand and visualize, especially for students with visual learning style preferences. This paper presents an overview of the equivalent rectangular stress block, select active learning methods, and four specific examples used by the authors to introduce the equivalent rectangular stress block in an undergraduate reinforced concrete design course. The first method focuses on understanding the terms associated with the equivalent rectangular stress block using a visual, hands-on learning activity; the second focuses on visualizing the internal forces and couple moment within a beam; the third uses a virtual three-dimensional model to derive the depth of the equivalent rectangular stress block; and the fourth illustrates the various stress blocks used in reinforced concrete flexure theory via physical three-dimensional models. Each description includes detailed instructions to create the resources and how to facilitate the related activities within a course. The overall goal is to provide educators with several examples that will help students better visualize the three-dimensional concept
AS-962-23 Resolution on Change of I and RP Grades to Regular Grade for Senior Project Courses
Get PDFEstablishes that the Office of the Registrar will process grade changes for I or RP grades assigned by the instructor to courses that meet the senior project requirement and approved by the department and/or an academic dean, without further investigation or documentation of extraordinary circumstances after the one-year time limit has expired
Skip the Grid: Providing Power and Light to the Navajo Nation
Get PDFSkip the Grid was created as an initiative to power communities that are in need. This project was made possible through a collaborative effort from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) students, industry partners SOLV Energy and Goal Zero, and facilitated through the educational non-profit organization Heart of America (HOA). The goal of this project was to help families of school age children in the Navajo Nation by providing solar energy systems including a battery and lighting. We hoped to achieve a long-lasting effect on the families by installing necessities for families with school-aged children. For the children we wanted to include learning opportunities by providing toys, books, arts and crafts, and hosting an educational STEAM event for 800+ K-12 students. Through collaboration from the Red Mesa School District and HOA, families were identified to receive these off-grid power installations. This being the second installation of Skip the Grid, many aspects were aimed for improvement from size, efficiency, and impact. With the efforts of all parties involved, this project came to life and provided 27 families with solar power and light in March of 2023. This project shows the cross-section between interdisciplinary collaboration and community service
Laboratory Glovebox
Get PDFThe Laboratory Glovebox project aimed to create an affordable, functional, ready to use, airtight workstation enabling Dr. Ramanan Sritharan to continue his research of the mechanical properties of nanomaterials. When airborne, nanomaterials are a health risk if inhaled, so the design requires a hermetic seal to protect the user. The design was meant to emulate features of the glovebox used by Dr. Sritharan during his PhD research, but was optimized to meet a budget of $3000, much cheaper than comparable alternatives. Key design features included acrylic panels, a transfer chamber, glove mounts, and a main access door, all sealed to ensure a controlled environment.
The project progressed through design, manufacturing, and testing phases, with significant adjustments to improve manufacturability and performance. Verification tests confirmed the glovebox\u27s airtightness, structural integrity, electrical safety, and ergonomic suitability. Despite minor cracks detected during assembly, they were effectively sealed and monitored to prevent leaks.
The report details the design, manufacturing, and testing processes, highlighting the learnings and design changes made. Recommendations for future maintenance and potential modifications are provided to ensure the glovebox remains functional and safe for ongoing use. The project successfully delivered a cost-effective solution that meets the sponsor\u27s requirements, with comprehensive verification confirming its performance and safety
Comparative Analysis of Laser Scanning Technologies for Cal Poly Construction Management Department
Get PDFThis paper aims to assist the Cal Poly Construction Management program in selecting the most suitable 3D scanning solution based on their specific needs, cost-effectiveness, and desired outcomes for campus digitization. Four different 3D scanning technologies will be evaluated based on application, cost, ease of use, and technical specifications that meet the desired Cal Poly Construction Management criteria. Information was gathered through meetings, email correspondence, and website technical information. Many factors were considered in this analysis to generate a recommendation; however, the most important criteria factor was educational value, and specifications that matched the Cal Poly goal of creating a digital twin of Cal Poly Campus for future virtual tours. Considering all the four options, the most applicable option for the Cal Poly Construction Management Department is the NavVis VLX 3, a wearable scanner, with long range accuracy and ease of use that allows many students to be involved in the collection of point cloud data. The value of this option is enhanced as NavVis worked with Cal Poly to provide an educational discount on this innovative technology used frequently in the construction industry
Engaged Pedagogy and Journaling: A Pathway to Self-Transformation
Get PDFJournaling, a reflective teaching activity, is an approach for engaged learning that allows students to find one’s voice, reexamine one’s identity, and create a deeper understanding of self, identity, and agency. Central to bell hooks’ feminist pedagogy is engaged teaching and learning, a pathway that allows learner and teacher to actively question what is and what must be (hooks, 1994). This learning-teaching space examined the intersecting topics of gender, culture, and leadership by unlearning, learning, and relearning one’s understanding and experience of these three identities. The main learning objectives of this teaching activity were to 1) engage in critical inquiry; 2) practice reflection; and 3) connect the relevance of one’s experience to reimagining and creating new knowledge. Students’ writing revealed their experience with unlearning and relearning power and an evolving relationship with purposeful leadership through personalized experiences. Students were active agents in breaking through the limiting beliefs inducing powerlessness, including the gendering of leadership