Henry Zeringue, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Bioengineering
Email: zeringue@engr.pitt.edu
Phone: 412-383-5830
Fax: 412-383-6944
Office: 5055 BST3
Laboratory Website: http://zrg.bioe.pitt.edu/
Education
Postdoctoral Fellow, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison
M.S. in Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagin
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Louisiana Tech University
Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison
M.S. in Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagin
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Louisiana Tech University
Research Interests
The purpose of our laboratory is to develop engineering tools for neurobiology research. Dr. Zeringue has a quantitative background in engineering microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for biological applications as well as postdoctoral research in developmental neurobiology of the visual system.
Much of the recent explosion of neuroscience research has come from the belief that we will be able to link the activities of the brain with the processes of the mind, renewed by more precise imaging techniques and a greater ability of manipulations at the molecular and cellular levels. Development of the nervous system is a very inclusive process utilizing precise spatial and temporal release and detection of biological agents to achieve proper routing and connections of excitatory and inhibitory pathways.
Two current MEMS technologies are of particular relevance to our research, microfluidics (µF) and micro electrode arrays (MEAs). Microfluidics is the science and technology of fluids in small (<100 um) diameter channels. Phenomena of fluids at this scale allow precise temporal and spatial control of the local fluid environment, including the rapid exchange of environmental conditions (e.g. pharmacological, chemical, thermal) and formation of stable gradients. MEAs are an extremely useful way to interact with in vitro cultures of neurons. MEAs allow for a grid of points from which we can record or stimulate nearby neurons, allowing a method of observing and manipulating the activity states of neuronal networks.
While we are developing a number of individual experimental techniques based on molecular and cellular biology as well as engineering, our longer-term goals are to combine these techniques to create an experimental neurobiology platform capable of studying subtle changes in neural network responses due to genetic, pharmacologic, and/or electrophysiologic perturbations.
Much of the recent explosion of neuroscience research has come from the belief that we will be able to link the activities of the brain with the processes of the mind, renewed by more precise imaging techniques and a greater ability of manipulations at the molecular and cellular levels. Development of the nervous system is a very inclusive process utilizing precise spatial and temporal release and detection of biological agents to achieve proper routing and connections of excitatory and inhibitory pathways.
Two current MEMS technologies are of particular relevance to our research, microfluidics (µF) and micro electrode arrays (MEAs). Microfluidics is the science and technology of fluids in small (<100 um) diameter channels. Phenomena of fluids at this scale allow precise temporal and spatial control of the local fluid environment, including the rapid exchange of environmental conditions (e.g. pharmacological, chemical, thermal) and formation of stable gradients. MEAs are an extremely useful way to interact with in vitro cultures of neurons. MEAs allow for a grid of points from which we can record or stimulate nearby neurons, allowing a method of observing and manipulating the activity states of neuronal networks.
While we are developing a number of individual experimental techniques based on molecular and cellular biology as well as engineering, our longer-term goals are to combine these techniques to create an experimental neurobiology platform capable of studying subtle changes in neural network responses due to genetic, pharmacologic, and/or electrophysiologic perturbations.
Recent Publications
Zeringue, H.C., M.B. Wheeler and D.J. Beebe (2005) “A Microfluidic Method for Removal of the Zona Pellucida from Mammalian Embryos”, Lab. Chip. 5:1 108-110 (Advance Article). • Included in RSC Chemical Biology Virtual Journal. Pubmed link
Zeringue, H.C. and M. Constantine-Paton (2004) “Post Transcriptional Gene Silencing in Neurons,”Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 14(5): 654-659. Pubmed Link
Walker, G.M., H.C. Zeringue and D.J. Beebe (2004)“Microenvironment design considerations for cellular scale studies,” Lab on a Chip, 4(2): 91-97 (issue cover image). Pubmed Link
Zeringue, H.C., J.J. Rutledge and D.J. Beebe (2004) “Early Mammalian Embryo Development Depends on Cumulus Removal Technique”, Lab on a Chip 5:1 86-90 (Advance Article). Pubmed Link
Raty, S., E. Walters, J.A. Davis, H.C. Zeringue, D.J. Beebe, S.L. Rodriguez-Zas and M.B.Wheeler (2004) “Embryonic development in the mouse is enhanced via microchannel culture”, Lab on a Chip, 4(3):186-190. Pubmed Link
Beebe, D.J., M. Wheeler, H.Zeringue, E.Walters and S. Raty, (2002)“Microfluidic technology for assisted reproduction,” Theriogenology, 57(1): 125-135. Pubmed Link
Zeringue, H.C., D.J. Beebe and M.B. Wheeler (2001) “Removal of cumulus from mammalian zygotes using micro fluidic techniques,” Biomedical Microdevices, 3(3): 219-224. Pubmed Link
Zeringue, H.C. and M. Constantine-Paton (2004) “Post Transcriptional Gene Silencing in Neurons,”Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 14(5): 654-659. Pubmed Link
Walker, G.M., H.C. Zeringue and D.J. Beebe (2004)“Microenvironment design considerations for cellular scale studies,” Lab on a Chip, 4(2): 91-97 (issue cover image). Pubmed Link
Zeringue, H.C., J.J. Rutledge and D.J. Beebe (2004) “Early Mammalian Embryo Development Depends on Cumulus Removal Technique”, Lab on a Chip 5:1 86-90 (Advance Article). Pubmed Link
Raty, S., E. Walters, J.A. Davis, H.C. Zeringue, D.J. Beebe, S.L. Rodriguez-Zas and M.B.Wheeler (2004) “Embryonic development in the mouse is enhanced via microchannel culture”, Lab on a Chip, 4(3):186-190. Pubmed Link
Beebe, D.J., M. Wheeler, H.Zeringue, E.Walters and S. Raty, (2002)“Microfluidic technology for assisted reproduction,” Theriogenology, 57(1): 125-135. Pubmed Link
Zeringue, H.C., D.J. Beebe and M.B. Wheeler (2001) “Removal of cumulus from mammalian zygotes using micro fluidic techniques,” Biomedical Microdevices, 3(3): 219-224. Pubmed Link