个人简介

B.S., 1992, Grand Valley State Univ. Ph.D., 1997, Michigan State Univ. Assistant Professor, 1997-2002, St. Louis Univ. Associate Professor, 2003-2004, St. Louis Univ. Associate Professor, 2004-2007, Wayne State Univ.

研究领域

Analytical Biological

(Research Description PDF - 747 kb) Solving biological problems at the molecular level with the help of novel biotechnology method development is the primary goal in the Spence group. To accomplish this goal, our group blends a variety of methods found not only in the chemical sciences, but also bioengineering, pharmacology, and physiology. Our publication record is exemplary of this broad approach to solving problems; specifically, in the past 3 years, our group has published papers in journals whose primary focus is analytical chemistry, diabetes, pharmacology, and microfluidic devices, to name a few. We employ any measurement scheme necessary to find answers and make new discoveries. Therefore, it is not uncommon for students in the Spence group to be experts in cell culture and cell preparation, but also understand the basics behind laser-induced flow cytometry, chemiluminescence techniques, or how to prepare microfluidic devices from 3D-printing technology. During the past year or so, we have also used NMR, circular dichroism spectroscopy, absorbance spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, gel electrophoresis, HPLC, amperometry, cyclic voltammetry, and scintillation counting in our efforts. All of the work performed in the Spence group is problem-based and hypothesis-driven. Moreover, most of our work is centered around the bloodstream and complications that arise in, or from, the bloodstream during disease onset. For example, since 2006, our group has been interested in studying C-peptide, a 31 amino acid peptide secreted from the pancreatic beta cells with insulin. Recently, our group has discovered that C-peptide demonstrates activity on red blood cells (something insulin does not do), but only when bound to zinc. We are also in the process of determining how this zinc binds to C-peptide, and if it induces structure in the peptide that subsequently leads to its binding to the red cell. Our ultimate objective with this project is to prepare a correct formulation of Zn-bound C-peptide that can be re-administered to people with Type 1 diabetes, who no longer produce C-peptide in their bodies due to beta cell destruction. In addition to our work in diabetes, we also have recently reported findings concerning hydroxyurea, the only proven therapy for people with Sickle Cell Disease. We also dedicate resources and time to studies involving platelets for Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke. Finally, a new branch of our laboratory efforts focus on improving stored red blood cells for Transfusion Medicine. Here we are formulating new, yet simple, storage solutions for the blood cells. Preliminary evidence suggests that some of the properties of our stored red cells are as fresh on day 35 of storage as they are on day 1! We hope to continue these efforts in the next few years to improve human health. A new technique in our group involves 3D-printing. Nearing 30 years since its introduction, 3D printing technology is set to revolutionize research and teaching laboratories. With regard to research settings, 3D printing has been limited to biomedical applications and engineering, although it shows tremendous potential in the chemical sciences. The Spence group aims to utilize 3D printing technology to help us solve the problems listed above, especially those related to cell-cell communication, blood flow, and tissue-on-chip applications. Research currently underway in the Spence group is focused on (left) platelets, (middle) sickle cell disease, and (right) stored blood, in addition to our long-standing investigations involving diabetes.

近期论文

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Asmira Selimovic, Jayda L. Erkal, Dana M. Spence, and R. Scott Martin. Microfluidic Device with Tunable Post Arrays and Integrated Electrodes for Studying Cellular Release. The Analyst. (2014) 139, 22, 5686-5694. To paper Jayda L. Erkal, Asmira Selimovic, Bethany C. Gross, Sarah Y. Lockwood, Eric L. Walton, Stephen McNamara, R. Scott Martin, and Dana M. Spence. 3D Printed Microfluidic Devices with Integrated Versatile and Reusable Electrodes. Lab on a Chip. (2014) 14, 12, 2023-2032. To paper Chengpeng Chen, Sarah Y. Lockwood, and Dana M. Spence. 3D-Printed Fluidic Devices Enable Quantitative Evaluation of Blood Components in Modified Storage Solutions for Use in Transfusion Medicine. The Analyst. (2014) 139, 13, 3219-3226. To paper Sarah Y. Lockwood, Jayda L. Erkal, and Dana M. Spence. Endothelium-Derived Nitric Oxide Production is Increased by ATP Released from Red Blood Cells Incubated with Hydroxyurea. Nitric Oxide. (2014) 38, 1-7. To paper Bethany C. Gross, Jayda L. Erkal, Sarah Y. Lockwood, Chengpeng Chen, and Dana M. Spence. Evaluation of 3D Printing and Its Potential Impact on Biotechnology and the Chemical Sciences. Analytical Chemistry. To paper Yimeng Wang, Adam W. Giebink, and Dana M. Spence. Microfluidic Evaluation of Red Cells Collected and Stored in Modified Procesing Solutions Used in Blood Banking. Integrative Biology. (2014) 6, 65-75. To paper Kari B. Anderson, Sarah Y. Lockwood, R. Scott Martin, and Dana M. Spence. A 3D Printed Fluidic Device that Enables Integrated Features. Analytical Chemistry. (2013) 85, 12, 5622-5626. To paper Adam W. Giebink, Paul A. Vogel, Wathsala Medawala, and Dana M. Spence. C-peptide-Stimulated Nitric Oxide Production in a Cultured Pulmonary Artery Endothelium is Erythrocyte Mediated and Requires Zn2+. Diabetes Metabolism Research and Reviews. (2013) 29, 1, 44-52. To paper Alicia S. Johnson, Kari B. Anderson, Douglas C. Kirkpatrick, Dana M. Spence, and R. Scott Martin. Integration of Multiple Components in Polystyrene-Based Microfluidic Devices Part I: Fabrication and Characterization. Analyst. (2013) 138, 129-136. To paper Kari B. Anderson, Stephen T. Halpin, Alicia S. Johnson, R. Scott Martin, and Dana M. Spence. Integration of Multiple Components in Polystyrene-Based Microfluidic Devices Part II: Cellular Analysis. Analyst. (2013) 138, 1, 137-143. To paper Kari B. Anderson, Welivitiya Karunarathne, and Dana M. Spence. Measuring P2X1 Receptor Activity in Washed Platelets in the Absence of Exogenous Apyrase. Analytical Methods. (2012) 4, 101-105. To paper Paul A. Vogel, Stephen T. Halpin, R. Scott Martin, and Dana M. Spence. Microfluidic Transendothelial Electrical Resistance Measurement Device that Enables Blood Flow and Postgrowth Experiments. Analytical Chemistry. (2011) 83, 11, 4296-4301. To paper Stephen T. Halpin, Kari B. Anderson, Paul A. Vogel, and Dana M. Spence. The Red Blood Cell and Nitric Oxide: Derived, Stimulated, or Both? The Open Nitric Oxide Journal. (2011) 3, 8-15. To paper Stephen T. Halpin and Dana M. Spence. Direct Plate-Reader Measurement of Nitric Oxide Released from Hypoxic Erythrocytes Flowing Through a Microfluidic Device. Analytical Chemistry. (2010) 82, 17, 7492-7497. To paper Suzanne Letourneau, Luiza Hernandez, Andrea N. Faris, and Dana M. Spence. Evaluating the Effects of Estradiol on Endothelial Nitric Oxide Stimulated by Erythrocyte-Derived ATP Using a Microfluidic Approach. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. (2010) 397, 8, 3369-3375. To paper Madushi Raththagala, Welivitya Karunarathne, Matthew Kryziniak, John McCracken, and Dana M. Spence. Hydroxyurea Stimulates the Release of ATP from Rabbit Erythrocytes through an Increase in Calcium and Nitric Oxide Production. European Journal of Pharmacology. (2010) 645, 1-3, 32-38. To paper Zachary Keltner, Jennifer A. Meyer, Erin M. Johnson, Amanda M. Palumbo, Dana M. Spence, and Gavin E. Reid. Mass Spectrometric Characterization and Activity of Zinc-Activated Proinsulin C-peptide and C-peptide Mutants. Analyst. (2010) 135, 2, 287-288. To paper Nicole V. Tolan, Jennifer A. Meyer, Chia-Jui Ku, Welivitya Karunarathne, and Dana M. Spence. Use of the Red Blood Cell as a Simple Drug Target and Diagnostic by Manipulating and Monitoring its Ability to Release Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). Pure and Applied Chemistry. (2010) 82, 8, 1623-1634. To paper Teresa D'Amico Oblak, Jennifer A. Meyer, and Dana M. Spence. A Microfluidic Technique for Monitoring BLoodstream Analytes Indicative of C-peptide Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes. Analyst. (2009) 134, 1, 188-193. To paper Wathsala Medawala, Patrick McCahill, Adam, Jennifer Meyer, Chio-Jui Ku, Dana M. Spence. A Molecular Level Understanding of Zinc Activation of C-Peptide and its Effects on Cellular Communication in the Bloodstream. The Review of Diabetic Studies. (2009) 6, 3, 1148-158.