Vinay V. Abhyankar, Ph.D.

The pathogenic, Category B bio-threat Rickettsiae (responsible for typhus and spotted fever), initially presents non-specific symptoms, and broad-spectrum antibiotics panels are often ineffective forms of treatment. My current project at Sandia, in collaboration with UTMB Galveston, involves the ultra-sensitive detection of Rickettsia in blood samples using microfluidic immunoassay techniques. Early detection of the infectious agent facilitates containment and appropriate treatment for the affected patient.

My other research interests involve the integration of biomaterials, micro-technology, and biology. In particular, I am interested in developing in vitro techniques that will help to quantitatively correlate microenvironment cues (both chemical and biophysical) with the regulation and induction of cellular response (e.g. stem cell differentiation, cell migration, angiogenesis, and autocrine/paracrine signaling).

Peer Reviewed Publications:

Abhyankar, V. V.; Toepke, M. W.; Cortesio, C. L.; Lokuta, M. A.; Huttenlocher, A.; Beebe, D. J., A platform for assessing chemotactic migration within a spatiotemporally defined 3D microenvironment. Lab on a Chip 2008, 8, (9), 1507-1515. PubMed

Abhyankar, V. V.; Beebe, D. J., Spatiotemporal micropatterning of cells on arbitrary substrates. Analytical Chemistry 2007, 79, (11), 4066-4073. PubMed

Toepke, M. W.; Abhyankar, V. V.; Beebe, D. J., Microfluidic logic gates and timers. Lab on a Chip 2007, 7, (11), 1449-1453. PubMed

Abhyankar, V. V.; Lokuta, M. A.; Huttenlocher, A.; Beebe, D. J., Characterization of a membrane-based gradient generator for use in cell-signaling studies. Lab on a Chip 2006, 6, (3), 389-393. PubMed

Book Chapters:

Paguirigan, A. L.; Abhyankar, V. V.; Puccinelli, J. P.; Beebe, D. J., Using Microfluidics to understand and control the cellular microenvironment in Biological Applications of Microfluidics, Gomez, F. A., Ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: 2007; pp 11-28.

Abhyankar, V. V.; Beebe, D. J., Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Microfluidics In Lab-on-a-Chip for Cellomics Andersson, H.; van den Berg, A., Eds. Springer Publishing: 2003; pp 257-272.

Patents:

Abhyankar, V.V. and Beebe, D. J. “Microfluidic platform and method of generating a gradient therein”, US Patent Number 7,470,403 granted 12/08

Abhyankar, V.V., Toepke, M.W., and Beebe, D.J., “A Three-Dimensional Culture Device for Controlling Soluble Factor Microenvironments” WARF P08003US, filed November, 2008

Abhyankar, V.V. and Beebe, D. J. “Method of patterning cells on an arbitrary substrate and conducing a microfluidic invasion assay”, WARF P06285US, filed October 2007

Appointments:

2008 – Present: Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA

2007-2008 Visiting Research Assistant Professor, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

Education:

2002-2007: Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI

1998-2002: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Binghamton University, Vestal, NY

Contact Information:

Dr. Vinay V. Abhyankar
Biosystems Research & Development
Sandia National Laboratories
PO Box 969, MS 9292
Livermore, CA 94551-0969

vabhyan@sandia.gov
phone: 925-294-1474
fax: 925-294-3020