Detailed Study Notes on Kevin Yehl's Presentation

My Scientific Journey

Kevin Yehl's Background

1996: Vacanti Mouse

  • Concept:

    • Also known as the "ear mouse."

  • University:

    • Conducted at the University of South Carolina (SC).

  • Related Projects:

    • NSF EAPSI (National Science Foundation East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes) participant.

    • Opportunities included a free trip to Europe.

Additional Research Interests

  • New mode of sensing associated with the Vacanti Mouse.

  • Focus on synthetic motors and phage therapeutics.

    • Phage Therapeutics:

      • Suppresses bacterial resistance to phage therapy.

Professional Development and Lab Composition

Fall 2020: Yehl Lab

  • Institutional Affiliation: Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

  • Composition of the Lab:

    • Includes 4 PhD students and 6 undergraduates.

Research Focus

Environmental Pollutants

  • Objective: To develop sensing technologies for on-site detection of environmental pollutants.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

  • Study Title: "Mapping the impact of environmental pollutants on human health and environment."

  • Published in the Journal of Geochemical Exploration (2023).

Per/Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Definition

  • PFAS are incredibly inert chemical compounds known for their nonstick properties.

  • Commonly found in a wide range of consumer products, such as:

    • Non-stick cookware

    • Water-resistant clothing

    • Stain-resistant fabrics

    • Paints and varnishes

    • Firefighting foams

    • Fast food packaging

    • Cosmetics

Environmental Persistence

  • Widespread use has resulted in large quantities of PFAS present in the environment.

  • These compounds possess long half-lives, contributing to their persistence.

Health Implications

  • Correlation observed between PFAS exposure and several health problems:

    • In Adults:

    • Kidney cancer

    • Thyroid disease

    • Pregnancy-induced hypertension

    • Breast cancer (female)

    • Testicular cancer (male)

    • In Developing Children:

    • Low birth weight

    • Reduced vaccine response

  • PFAS are known to bioaccumulate in biological systems.

Legal Resolution

  • February 16, 2024:

    • A U.S. District Court approved a settlement requiring chemical manufacturers DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva to pay $1.185 billion for PFAS contamination liabilities affecting public water systems.

    • Settlement described as fair and in the best interest of affected public water systems serving a majority of the U.S. population.

Testing Methods Related to PFAS

EPA Method 537.1

  • Utilizes tandem liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.

  • Cost Range: $150,000 - $400,000.

  • Requirements:

    • Centralized laboratory setup.

    • Highly trained personnel for operation and maintenance.

Current and Future Projects

Development of Portable Sensors

  • Aim to create portable sensors for onsite PFAS detection.

  • Potential for using aptamers (functional nucleic acids) for PFAS detection:

    • Aptamer FNA:

    • Provides highly selective binding affinities to specific molecules, including PFAS.

Aptamer Detection Techniques

  • Research involves ssDNA aptamers for detecting PFOA:

    • Methodology involves the use of hairpin blockers and fluorescent markers for detection.

Potential Applications

  • Discussions on developing a PFAS sensor array using pattern recognition methodologies.

  • Investigative focus on enhancing selectivity in PFAS detection through advanced aptamer designs.

Notable Environmental Incidents

Deep Horizon Oil Spill (2010)

  • Impact: Spilled 205 million gallons of oil in the Gulf of Mexico

Flint Michigan Lead Crisis (2014)

  • Background: Switch in water sources led to lead pollution, causing significant health risks including lead poisoning, specifically affecting children’s developing brains.

Ohio Train Derailment (2023)

  • Incident: Train carrying toxic chemicals derailed affecting 16 states.

  • Environmental Concerns: Notable pollution fallout from the derailment.

Lab Training and Methods

Areas of Expertise

  • Lab trainees will learn various biophysical methods and bio-analytical techniques, including:

    • Fluorescence techniques

    • Phage engineering

    • CRISPR-based biotechnologies

    • Surface-based analytical techniques.

Future Aspirations

  • Exploring advancements in machine learning and chip-based DNA synthesis for analyzing and validating sensor technologies.