Makenna Jedlicka
Research Mentor(s): Young Geun Park
Mentor Department: Mechanical Engineering
Authors: Makenna Jedlicka, Young Geun Park
Session: Session 6 (3:00pm – 3:50pm)
Presentation Type: Poster 107
Abstract
Monitoring individual cell responses is essential for understanding the adverse effects of chemicals, including polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Widely used in everyday products such as non-stick cookware and fire extinguishers, PFAS are notable for their exceptional strength and durability, which have also raised significant environmental and toxicological concerns. Despite their practical applications, PFAS have been linked to adverse health effects, including a potential association with cell apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Currently, cellular analysis techniques that rely on dyes and fluorescence probes have been widely employed to investigate cell apoptosis. However, these probes face a critical limitation: a progressive decline in signal over time, which compromises their ability to detect target molecules and may lead to cellular photobleaching. To overcome these challenges and enable live-cell imaging under PFAS exposure, we integrated plasmonic nanostructures—specifically gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)—into neuronal samples and employed an advanced imaging platform to visualize single-cell responses. Once incorporated, the AuNPs permeated the cell membrane, facilitating the detection of intracellular biomarkers. Through this approach, we successfully captured dynamic information on biomarker secretion during cell apoptosis and systematically characterized the effects of PFOS concentration on apoptotic processes. These findings underscore the potential of plasmonic nanoparticle technology for transformative applications in bioengineering and medicine.
