Shreya Ghosh

Bio: Shreya Ghosh is an academic researcher from University of Illinois at Chicago. The author has contributed to research in topics: Aptamer & Quenching (fluorescence). The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 17 publications receiving 244 citations. Previous affiliations of Shreya Ghosh include Jadavpur University & University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.

Self-Setting Calcium Phosphate Cements with Tunable Antibiotic Release Rates for Advanced Antimicrobial Applications.

Abstract: Osteomyelitis, an infectious disease predominantly tied to poor sanitary conditions in underdeveloped regions of the world, is in need of inexpensive, easily in situ synthesizable and administrable materials for its treatment. The results of this study stem from the attempt to create one such affordable and minimally invasive therapeutic platform in the form of a self-setting, injectable cement with a tunable drug release profile, composed of only nanoparticulate hydroxyapatite, the synthetic version of the bone mineral. Cements comprised two separately synthesized hydroxyapatite powders, one of which, HAP2, was precipitated abruptly, retaining the amorphous nature longer, and the other one of which, HAP1, was precipitated at a slower rate, more rapidly transitioning to the crystalline structure. Cements were made with four different weight ratios of the two hydroxyapatite components: 100/0, 85/15, 50/50, and 0/100 with respect to HAP1 and HAP2. Both the setting and the release rates measured on two diffe...

Gesture Recognition from Indian Classical Dance Using Kinect Sensor

Abstract: This work proposes gesture recognition algorithm for Indian Classical Dance Style using Kinect sensor. This device generates the skeleton of human body from which twenty different junction 3-dimensional coordinates are obtained. Here we require only eleven coordinates for the proposed work. Basically six joints coordinates about right and left hands and five upper body joint coordinates are processed. A unique system of feature extraction have been used to distinguish between `Anger', `Fear', `Happiness', `Sadness' and `Relaxation'. This system checks whether the emotion is positive or negative with its intensity information. A total of twenty three features have been extracted based on the distance between different parts of the upper human body, the velocity and acceleration generated along with the angle between different joints. The proposed algorithm gives a high recognition rate of 86.8% using SVM.

Aptasensor based optical detection of glycated albumin for diabetes mellitus diagnosis

Abstract: Glycated albumin (GA) has been reported as an important biomarker for diabetes mellitus. This study investigates an optical sensor comprised of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) aptamer, semiconductor quantum dot and gold (Au) nanoparticle for the detection of GA. The system functions as a 'turn on' sensor because an increase in photoluminescence intensity is observed upon the addition of GA to the sensor. This is possibly because of the structure of the DNA aptamer, which folds to form a large hairpin loop before the addition of the analyte and is assumed to open up after the addition of target to the sensor in order to bind to GA. This pushes the quantum dot and the Au nanoparticle away causing an increase in photoluminescence. A linear increase in photoluminescence intensity and quenching efficiency of the sensor is observed as the GA concentration is varied between 0-14 500 nM. Time based photoluminescence studies with the sensor show the decrease in binding rate of the aptamer to the target within a specific time period. The sensor was found to have a higher selectivity towards GA than other control proteins. Further investigation of this simple sensor with greater number of clinical samples can open up avenues for an efficient diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes mellitus when used in conjunction with the traditional method of glucose level monitoring.

Carriers for the tunable release of therapeutics: etymological classification and examples

Abstract: Introduction Physiological processes at the molecular level take place at precise spatiotemporal scales, which vary from tissue to tissue and from one patient to another, implying the need for carriers that enable tunable release of therapeutics. Areas covered Classification of all drug release to intrinsic and extrinsic is proposed, followed by the etymological clarification of the term 'tunable' and its distinction from the term 'tailorable'. Tunability is defined as analogous to tuning a guitar string or a radio receiver to the right frequency using a single knob. It implies changing a structural parameter along a continuous quantitative scale and correlating it numerically with the release kinetics. Examples of tunable, tailorable and environmentally responsive carriers are given, along with the parameters used to achieve these levels of control. Expert opinion Interdependence of multiple variables defining the carrier microstructure obstructs the attempts to elucidate parameters that allow for the independent tuning of release kinetics. Learning from the tunability of nanostructured materials and superstructured metamaterials can be a fruitful source of inspiration in the quest for the new generation of tunable release carriers. The greater intersection of traditional materials sciences and pharmacokinetic perspectives could foster the development of more sophisticated mechanisms for tunable release.

The initial stages of template-controlled CaCO3 formation revealed by Cryo-TEM

Abstract: Biogenic calcium carbonate forms the inorganic component of seashells, otoliths, and many marine skeletons, and its formation is directed by an ordered template of macromolecules. Classical nucleation theory considers crystal formation to occur from a critical nucleus formed by the assembly of ions from solution. Using cryotransmission electron microscopy, we found that template-directed calcium carbonate formation starts with the formation of prenucleation clusters. Their aggregation leads to the nucleation of amorphous nanoparticles in solution. These nanoparticles assemble at the template and, after reaching a critical size, develop dynamic crystalline domains, one of which is selectively stabilized by the template. Our findings have implications for template-directed mineral formation in biological as well as in synthetic systems.

Calcium phosphate cements for bone engineering and their biological properties.

Abstract: Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) are frequently used to repair bone defects. Since their discovery in the 1980s, extensive research has been conducted to improve their properties, and emerging evidence supports their increased application in bone tissue engineering. Much effort has been made to enhance the biological performance of CPCs, including their biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, osteoinductivity, biodegradability, bioactivity, and interactions with cells. This review article focuses on the major recent developments in CPCs, including 3D printing, injectability, stem cell delivery, growth factor and drug delivery, and pre-vascularization of CPC scaffolds via co-culture and tri-culture techniques to enhance angiogenesis and osteogenesis.

Next Generation Calcium Phosphate-based Biomaterials

Abstract: It has been close to a century since calcium phosphate materials were first used as bone graft substitutes. Numerous studies conducted in the last two decades have produced a wealth of information on the chemistry, in vitro properties, and biological characteristics of granular calcium phosphates and calcium phosphate cement biomaterials. An in depth analysis of several key areas of calcium phosphate cement properties is presented with the aim of developing strategies that could lead to break-through improvements in the functional efficacies of these materials.