CNCS Center for Nonlinear and Complex Systems
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Wanda K. Neu, Bass Fellow of Biomedical Engineering and CNCS: Center for nonlinear and complex systems and Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Wanda K. Neu

Electroporation-Mediated Drug and Gene Delivery
Electroporation refers to the creation of small (1-40 nm) pores in the lipid bilayer of the membrane in response to large electric shocks. Electroporation occurs as an undesirable side effect in accidental contacts with high voltage wires or when defibrillation shocks are applied to the heart to prevent sudden cardiac death. However, electroporation has also important applications in biotechnology, as pores allow the introduction of drugs and DNA into cells. Still, this technique is largely empirical and the results are often variable and difficult to control. Our research in this area concentrates on the development of a model of electroporation that would allow theoretical investigation of the creation of pores during the shock, the flow of ions, drugs, and DNA through pores, and the resulting changes in intracellular concentrations.

Nonlinear Dynamics Approach to Cardiac Arrhythmias
Cardiac arrhythmias, serious and potentially fatal diseases, can only rarely be successfully controlled with medication. The only available treatment is defibrillation, the delivery of a large electric shock. Such shocks often have serious side effects. Our research investigates the feasibility of alternative treatments for cardiac tachyarrhythmias that instead of large shocks use an appropriately timed train of small pulses. The approach is based on the feedback protocols that have been developed to control the dynamics of complex nonlinear systems and involves animal experiments, mathematical modeling, and computer simulations. These studies allow us to gain a better insight into the dynamics of cardiac rhythm and to assess the feasibility of bringing an episode of arrhythmia under control, terminate it, or even inhibit its occurrence.

Contact Info:
Office Location:  1151 CIEMAS, 101 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708
Email Address: send me a message
Web Page:  http://aiki.bme.duke.edu/wanda/

Teaching (Fall 2018):

  • BME 513.01, INTRO NEURODYNAMICS Synopsis
    Hudson 222, MW 01:25 PM-02:40 PM
  • BME 790L.004, ADV TOP LAB FOR GRADS IN BME Synopsis
    Hudson 207, MW 10:05 AM-11:20 AM
Education:

Ph.D.Duke University1987
M.S.Warsaw University of Technology1978
Specialties:

Drug Delivery
Heart, Electrophysiology
Research Interests:

Krassowska's research includes electroporation-mediated drug delivery and gene therapy, and control of cardiac arrhythmias using nonlinear dynamics

Keywords:

Action Potentials • Algorithms • Animals • Anisotropy • Arrhythmias, Cardiac • Biophysics • Cardiac Pacing, Artificial • Computer Simulation • Defibrillators, Implantable • Diastole • Dogs • Electric Countershock • Electric Stimulation • Electrodes • Electrodes, Implanted • Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac • Electroporation • Endocardium • Equipment Design • Extracellular Space • Heart • Heart Atria • Heart Conduction System • Heart Rate • Heart Ventricles • Humans • Ions • Lipid Bilayers • Membrane Potentials • Models, Animal • Models, Biological • Models, Cardiovascular • Models, Neurological • Models, Theoretical • Muscle Cells • Myocardial Contraction • Needles • Nerve Fibers • Pericardium • Porous materials • Predictive Value of Tests • Rana catesbeiana • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted • Statistics as Topic • Sulfonamides • Time Factors • Ventricular Function

Recent Publications   (More Publications)

  1. Neu, WK, Analytical solution for time-dependent potentials in a fiber stimulated by an external electrode., Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing, vol. 54 no. 11 (November, 2016), pp. 1719-1725, Springer Verlag (Germany), ISSN 0140-0118 [doi]  [abs]
  2. Neu, WK, Uncertainty in 1D and 3D models of a fiber stimulated by an external electrode, Lecture Notes in Computer Science (Including Subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics), vol. 9656 (January, 2016), pp. 219-229, ISBN 9783319317434 [doi]  [abs]
  3. Neu, WK; Neu, JC, Modeling electroporation with moment dynamics equations (December, 2015)
  4. Neu, WK, Analytical solution for time-dependent potentials in a cylindrical fiber (December, 2015)
  5. Cranford, JP; Kim, BJ; Neu, WK, Asymptotic model of electrical stimulation of nerve fibers., Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing, vol. 50 no. 3 (March, 2012), pp. 243-251 [22350436], [doi]  [abs]