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RESEARCH NEWS
Want to research into mosquito disease vectoring?
Contact Dr. Benne for more information.
Nanoscale research is now being done at Lincoln University.
Contact Dr. Ahfrasibi or Dr. Balasubramanian for more information.
Bio-Sensor development is now being done at Lincoln University.
Contact Dr. Ahfrasibi, Dr. Balasubramanian, or Dr. El-Dweik for more information.
Interested in looking at the human brain?
Optical imaging of brain function is now possible. Contact Dr. Balasubramanian for more information.
Want to convert that banana peel into useful fuel?
Conversion of various types of biomass into biofuel is being researched in Dr. Lee's lab. Contact her for information.
Interested in how fire affects forest soils and plants?
Contact Dr. Stephan for information.
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Welcome to a World of Research Possibilities
The Department of Life and Physical Sciences has several faculty members active in research. Current research interesets in the department include nanophotonics, biophotonics and sensors, nano-chemistry, biofuels, environmental ecology, genetic ecology, plant taxonomy and animal physiology.
Students who choose a major in this department and who are interested in research will find ample opportunity to choose from a wide range of inter-disciplinary research areas within the department. In addition active collaborations with the University of Missouri-Columbia and Missouri University of Science and Technology-Rolla allow for additional research opportunities there. Motivated students will have the opportunity to conduct research in frontier areas of nano-medicine, biosensor deveopment, adaptive photonics, animal and plant science, genetics, biofuels etc. Department faculty, in collaboaration with faculty from the University of Missouri-Columbia, are currently working on extramurally funded research to develop diffused optical imaging modalities to map brain function. Several faculty are working on department of defense projects to identify minefields and improvised explosive devices. Others are working to enhance agricultural production in mid-missouri as well as work with regional livestock farmers to improve quality in cattle as well as goats and sheep. Faculty are involved in mapping disease transport vectors in ecosystems in the midwest as well as looking at environmental pollutant spread and control in area watersheds.
Research Area Spotlight
Fluorescence Molecular Tomography
Multimodality imaging that combines anatomical information and functional information can provide better understanding of tumor development and assist in monitoring therapy.
Fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) is an emerging imaging modality for non-invasive functional imaging and early diagnosis of carcinoma. The technique uses diffuse photons (short wavelength) for fluorescence probe excitation and a diffused photon density wave (long wavelength) to map and allow for subsequent quantitative reconstructions of functional information.
This technique can differentiate tissue physiological changes in vivo in three-dimension when used in conjunction with probes that can selectively target specific cancer cells.
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