Expanding the Bioanalytical Toolbox for Cell Signaling and the Environment

Abstract

This dissertation discusses the development and validation of new methodologies and their applications in studying cell signaling to understand human health and environmental exposures. Chapter 1 details different signaling modes cells use to regulate biological processes. Additionally, Chapter 1 introduces key aspects of how researchers study intercellular signaling using a combination of cell culture set ups and analytical methodologies. Chapter 2 presents a new bead-based method for the capture of a cell-secreted signal in live cell cultures. Chapter 3 highlights the use of the newly developed bead-based method to monitor signal exchange between two different cell types. Chapter 4 introduces novel cell culture platforms and models to investigate cell signaling in biomimetic structures and segregated systems. Chapter 5 presents an innovative technology for capturing airborne particles using aqueous microdroplets to study environmental impacts on human health. In summary, the work presented in this dissertation demonstrates how aspects from different disciplines can be utilized to expand the bioanalytical toolbox in monitoring changes in cell signaling and provide greater insights into environmental impacts on human health.