Welcome to the 19th Annual FoCI and CSRF Digital Program

We are developing a rapid screening test that can detect the presence and concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in a patient’s saliva. This test is designed to meet the World Health Organization ASSURED criteria for on-site diagnostics (Affordable, Sensitive and Specific, User-friendly, Rapid/Robust, Equipment-free, and Deployable). The assay uses two types of microbeads to label the analyte: buoyant microbubbles and magnetic microspheres. Each bead is functionalized with antibodies that specifically target and bind to the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein present in a patient's saliva, forming buoyant-analyte-magnetic (BAM) complexes. These BAM complexes can be seen by the naked eye when illuminated with a flashlight. A simple setup, consisting of a magnet, camera, and flashlight video records the movement of these BAM complexes through solution. MATLAB video analysis allows us to count individual BAM complexes and track their motion. Through particle tracking, our team was able to detect concentrations of nucleocapsid protein at 1 fg/mL in 10 µL of phosphate buffered saline. In the future, our team plans to apply this assay to human saliva. Overall, these results highlight the potential applications within on-site diagnostics fields, including mobile integrated healthcare settings.

South Carolina has recently seen a noticeable increase in the distribution and abundance of invasive wild hogs. This rapid expansion enables their increased ability to damage inhabited landscapes. Over the last decade, newly introduced wild hogs have established themselves on both the south (Fant’s Grove Wildlife Management Area) and north (Lake Issaqueena) portions of the Clemson Experimental Forest (CUEF), bringing with them significant damage to both the CUEF and the adjoining private properties. The preferred habitat and location of areas of intense use (core areas) of wild hogs within the CUEF are unknown. Therefore, the goal of our study is to determine if wild hogs prefer a specific type of habitat, and where they reside most frequently. Our objectives include examining frequency of use for different habitat types, as well as investigating the amount and locations of core areas within the CUEF. During 2023 and 2024, 19 hogs (11 males and 8 females) were captured and fitted with GPS and radio collars. GPS locations from GPS collars were logged hourly, and GPS locations from radio collars were taken weekly. We used these locations alongside National Land Cover Database categories to calculate habitat availability models. Additionally, we used kernel density estimations (KDE) to identify core areas. Wild hogs were found to spend most of their time in deciduous forests, avoid developed areas, and spend a great amount of their time in young un-thinned pine stands relative to how much of that habitat is available to them. However, the results regarding the core areas are still being processed. The information gathered from this study will be of aid to those interested in controlling wild hogs in the CUEF, and may have broader implications for aiding other stakeholders affected by this species. 

Cardiovascular diseases lead cause of the death yearly. Mitochondria play a crucial role for energy production in the heart, where approximately 95% of ATP is generated through mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to cardiac defects. Here we utilize human stem cells to generate 2D-monolayer cardiomyocytes and 3D-cardiac organoids, to understand cardiovascular toxicology from chemical exposure, as well as mitochondrial energy production. Based on this, we developed a novel a non-invasive and real-time approach to evaluate mitochondrial function in the differentiated cardiomyocytes. We also apply interdisciplinary approaches to evaluate the effects of drug exposure on mitochondrial biogenesis and function in the differentiated 2D- and 3D cardiac models. The outcomes of this study will carry substantial implications for enhancing therapeutic interventions and advancing human health.

The NASA Neutral Buoyancy Experiment Design Teams (Micro-g NExT) challenge is a research initiative presented each year by NASA in which universities can present solutions to unique and relevant space exploration engineering challenges that NASA engineers directly identify. Each year, teams of undergraduate students work to design, build, and test a tool or device that addresses the challenge. The team at Clemson University has created a lunar hand-tool carrier that holds sample collection tools for NASA astronauts to use on the Moon during the Artemis missions. The tool carrier will aid astronauts in extravehicular activities (EVAs) by safeguarding explorers and allowing for more efficient collection of samples and faster maintenance operations, directly or indirectly aiding in more efficient and accelerated scientific discovery. This year, Clemson University has become 1 of 13 schools nationally to be accepted into Phase II of the challenge, in which the team is invited to the Johnson Space Center (JSC) in June 2024, where their device will be tested in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) by professional divers. The student-led team at Clemson University also seeks to broaden the program's impact in their region and has conducted various K-12 outreach activities based on their work in the competition.

The ocean is in trouble, and it needs our help. That is the message our Something Very Fishy marine science outreach program brings to local second grade classrooms. Our program seeks to increase ocean literacy through an imaginary field trip through the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. At each stop along the way, children meet scientists working to save the ocean and participate in hands-on activities that engage the senses and increase interests in ocean related STEM careers. They visit a coral nursery, a sea turtle hospital, the Aquarius Sea Base, and Florida Keys habitats and animals. They meet and interact with a coral scientist, a marine veterinarian, a marine biologist, and a park ranger. We evaluated the impact of our program on their view of the ocean and their career interests by comparing drawings and surveys before and after attending the simulated field trip. The post program drawings included significantly more field trip notables, more humans / human artifacts, and expressed more concern for the ocean’s well-being. However, there was no significant change in the career interests between STEM, arts, other career choices from before to after the program. These results suggest that an imaginary ocean field trip can raise ocean literacy and foster awareness and concern for protecting the ocean in second grade classes.