Eno Ebong joined the Department of Chemical Engineering in Fall 2013. The primary focus of Ebong Mechanobiology Laboratory is to study the means by which endothelial cell mechanotransduction occurs in order to prevent or promote atherosclerosis. They are applying engineering to study the structure and function of the endothelial cell surface glycocalyx that directly interfaces with flowing blood and sheds in the presence of atherosclerosis.
The lab uses cryopreservation (rapid freezing/freeze substitution) and transmission electron microscopy to define the ultrastructure of the endothelial surface glycocalyx and its changes as a result of the macro- or micro-vessel origin and due to the bio-chemical and -mechanical environment. RNA interference techniques, fluorescent intracellular biomarkers, fluorescence confocal microscopy, and protein biochemistry are applied to further clarify the mechanisms by which various flow patterns impact endothelial cell surface glycocalyx ultrastructure, its transduction of fluid forces into biological responses, and its role in vascular health or disease. In vivo studies are performed using high fat fed apolipoprotein E (ApoE) knockout mice, a well-established animal model of atherosclerosis, to determine which glycocalyx components can be targeted to prevent, diagnose, or treat atherosclerosis.