Todd Przybycien
Professor of Chemical Engineering and BioMedical Engineering

Office: Doherty Hall 3109
Phone: (412) 268-3857
Fax: (412) 268-1173
Email: todd@andrew.cmu.edu
Secretary: Alice Yochum
    Phone: (412) 268-9851
    Fax: (412) 268-7139
    Email: ayochum@andrew.cmu.edu

Biography
Research Interests
Highlights
Awards and Honors
Publications

Biography

Professor Todd Przybycien received a BS in Chemical Engineering and a AB in Chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis in 1984. He attended California Institute of Technology for graduate education, receiving MS and PhD degrees in Chemical Engineering in 1987 and 1989. Prof. Przybycien worked for two years at Monsanto as a Senior Research Engineer before joining Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute as an Assistant Professor in 1991. He came to Chemical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon in 1996 and served as the (founding) Head of BioMedical Engineering from 2002-2008. Professor Przybycien currently holds a joint appointment in Biomedical Engineering and in Chemical Engineering.

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Research Interests

Professor Przybycien's group is interested in the area of applied biophysics - addressing the practical problems and underlying fundamental phenomena associated with the production, formulation, and delivery of pharmaceutical proteins generated by the biotechnology industry. The focus is on protein denaturation, aggregation and adsorption phenomena that are probed on the molecular level with spectroscopic, optical and biophysical tools and then connected to studies of macroscopic, process-level behavior. This work has frequently involved the development of new experimental tools, apparati and techniques. Molecular-level/process level connections are made with mechanistic models, molecular simulations and informatics tools. The overall goal is the development of structure-processing relationships that improve our ability to design and operate processes, formulations and delivery devices.

Another portion of Professor Przybycien's group is involved in the development of sensors. This activity grew out of the group¹s expertise in biophysical tool development and optical spectroscopy. The group is interested in both microelectromechanical systems- (MEMS-) based sensors and macroscopic sensors. Applications range from biosecurity, to analytics and diagnostics.

Current research topics include:

Protein/Drug Delivery Topics

• Overcoming interfacial denaturation in the delivery of proteins from poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres via protein PEGylation (in collaboration with Professor Tilton)
• Enhancing spreading, mucolysis and antimicrobial activity in pulmonary drug delivery with surfactants (in collaboration with Professors Garoff and Tilton)

Protein Formulation/Aggregation Topics

• Development of self-interaction techniques for rapid screening of formulations that physically stabilize recombinant proteins
• Identification of surface residues involved in protein aggregation

Protein Adsorption Topics

• Impact of micro-scale and nano-scale surface features on protein adsorption behavior

Sensor Development Topics

• Development of a MEMS membrane-based gravimetric sensor for biosecurity, analytical and diagnostic use
• Development of a hand-held tissue reflectance spectrometer for detection of incipient pressure ulcers regardless of skin pigmentation

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Highlights

Completed a one-semester sabbatical in residence during the Spring 2009 semester.

Awarded an NSF grant in support of a collaboration with Profs. Tilton and Garoff in the area of surfactant-enhanced pulmonary drug delivery.

Served as member of the scientific advisory board for the 15th International Conference on BioPartitioning and Purification (BPP 2009) held in Uxbridge, UK in June 2009. Made a successful bid (with Profs. Macro Rito-Palomares, ITESM, Monterrey, Mexico and Juan Asenjo, Universidade de Chile, Santiago, Chile) to co-organize the BPP 2011 meeting in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Awarded an Erskine Fellowship by the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand and spent five weeks in residence within the Chemical and Process Engineering Department, delivering a total of eleven lectures in chemical reactor design (ENCH 351), ion exchange chromatography (ENCH 360) and bioMEMS technology (ENCH 458) as well as a departmental research seminar. During my fellowship, I established a collaboration with Prof. Conan Fee that has resulted in a provisional patent thus far. Subsequent to my visit, I was named as a member of the International Scientific Advisory Board of the newly established Biomolecular Interaction Centre Research Institute at the University of Canterbury.

Graduated 19th Ph.D. student, Dr. Andrew L. Kim.

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Awards and Honors

• Named Fellow of AIChE, 2010

• Erskine Fellow, University of Canterbury, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Christchurch, NZ, 2009

• Adjunct Professor of Biotechnology, Departamento Biotecnología e Ingenieria de Alimentos, Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Monterrey, MX, 2008 – current

• BME Professor of the Year, CMU Graduate Biomedical Engineeirng Society, 2007, 2009

• Whitaker Foundation Academic Leadership Program, 2003

• Associate Editor, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2000 - 2002

• Elected Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, 1998

• Early Career Award, Faculty of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1997

• Camille Dreyfus Teacher Scholar Award, Dreyfus Foundation, 1997

• Listed in Who's Who Among America's Teachers, 4th Ed., 1996

• Faculty Early Career Development Award, National Science Foundation, 1995

• Listed in Marquis Who's Who in Science and Engineering, 2nd Ed., 1993

• Sigma Xi (research Honorary), 1992

• Isermann Junior Faculty Chair in Chemical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1991

• Honorable Mention Graduate Fellowship Program, National Science Foundation, 1984-1985

• Amoco Foundation Graduate Fellowship, Caltech, 1984-1985

• Kassabaum Award to Outstanding Senior Man, Washington University Interfraternity Council, 1984

• Omicron Delta Kappa (leadership honorary), 1984

• Outstanding Senior Chemical Engineering, American Institute of Chemists, 1984

• Phi Beta Kappa (liberal arts honorary), 1984

• Sheply Award for Service to the University, Washington University, 1984

• Outstanding Junior Chemistry Major, St. Louis Chemical Council, 1983

• Tau Beta Pi (engineering honorary), 1983

• Alexander S. Langsdorf Engineering Fellowship, Washington University, National Merit Scholar, 1980-1984

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Publications

       Recent Publications

       Selected Publications

       Full Publications

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Recent Publications

Cisneros-Ruiz M, Mayolo-Deloisa K, Przybycien TM, Rito-Palomares M (2009) "Separation of PEGylated from Unmodified Ribonuclease A using Sepharose HIC Media," Separation and Purification Technology, 65 pp 105-109.

Pai SS, Tilton RD, Przybycien TM (2009) “Poly(ethylene glycol)-Modified Proteins: Implications for Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-Based Microsphere Delivery,” American Association of Pharmaceutical Science Journal, 11 pp 88-98.

Gaspard S, Przybycien TM, Seigel M (2008) “Skin Color Compensated Colorimeter for Detection and Classification of Pressure Ulcers,” Proceedings of the IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC 2008) pp 1542-1547.

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Selected Publications

Tzannis, S.T., Hrushesky, W.J.M., Wood, P.A. and Przybycien, T.M. "Irreversible Inactivation of Interleukin-2 in a Pump-based Delivery Environment," PNAS vol. 85, p. 586, 1996.

Patro, S.Y. and Przybycien, T.M. "Self-Interaction Chromatography: A Tool for the Study of Protein-Protein Interactions in Bioprocessing Environments," Biotechnol. Bioeng. vol. 52, p. 193, 1996.

Sane, S.U., Cramer, S.M. and Przybycien, T.M. "A Holistic Approach to Protein Secondary Structure Characterization Using Amide I Band Raman Spectroscopy" Analytical Biochemistry vol. 269, p. 255, 1999.

Sane, S.U., Cramer, S.M. and Przybycien, T.M. "Protein Structure Perturbations on Chromatographic Surfaces," Journal of Chromatography A vol. 849, p. 149, 1999.

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Full Publications

1. Przybycien TM, Bailey JE (1989) "Solubility-Activity Relationships in the Inorganic Salt-Induced Precipitation of ?-Chymotrypsin," Enzyme and Microbial Technology 11, 264-276.

2. Przybycien TM, Bailey JE (1989) "Structure-Function Relationships in the Inorganic Salt-Induced Precipitation of ?-Chymotrypsin," Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 995, 231-245.

3. Przybycien TM, Bailey JE (1989) "Aggregation Kinetics in Salt-Induced Protein Precipitation," American Institute of Chemical Engineers Journal 35, 1779-1790.

4. Przybycien TM, Bailey JE (1991) "Secondary Structure Perturbations in Salt-Induced Protein Precipitation,” Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1076, 103-111.

5. Storrs SB, Przybycien TM (1991) "Commercial Scale Refolding of Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin," in Protein Refolding (G. Georgiou and E. De Bernardez-Clark eds.) ACS Symposium Series No. 470, American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C., pp 197-205.

6. Przybycien TM, Dunn JP, Georgiou G, Valax P (1994) "Secondary Structure Characterization of ?-Lactamase Inclusion Bodies," Protein Engineering 7, 131-136.

7. Iyer H, Przybycien TM (1994) "Protein Precipitation: Effects of Mixing on Protein Solubility," American Institute of Chemical Engineers Journal 40, 349-360.

8. Patro S, Przybycien TM (1994) "Simulations of Kinetically Irreversible Protein Aggregate Structure," Biophysical Journal 66, 1274-1289.

9. Debenedetti PG, Yeo S-D, Patro SY, Przybycien TM (1994) "Secondary Structure Characterization of Microparticulate Insulin Powders," Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 83, 1651-1656.

10. Iyer HV, Przybycien TM (1995) "Metal Affinity Protein Precipitation: Effect of Mixing and Modifiers on Fractionation," Biotechnology & Bioengineering, 48, 324-332.

11. Lam P, Elliker PR, Wnek GE, Przybycien TM (1995) “Towards an Electrochemically Modulated Chromatographic Stationary Phase,” Chromatography A 707, 29-33.

12. Iyer HV, Przybycien TM (1996) "A Model for Metal Affinity Protein Aggregation," Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 177, 391-400.

13. Patro SY, Przybycien TM (1996) "Simulations of Reversible Protein Aggregate and Crystal Structure," Biophysical Journal 70, 2888-2902.

14. Tzannis ST, Hrushesky WJM, Wood PA, Przybycien TM (1996) "Irreversible Inactivation of Interleukin-2 in a Pump-based Delivery Environment," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 85, 586-594.

15. Winters, MA, Knutson, BL, Debenedetti PG, Sparks HG, Przybycien TM, Stevenson CL, Prestrelski SS (1996) "Precipitation of Proteins in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide," Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 85, 586-594.

16. Patro SY, Przybycien TM (1996) "Self-Interaction Chromatography: A Tool for the Study of Protein-Protein Interactions in Bioprocessing Environments," Biotechnology & Bioengineering 52, 193-203.

17. Tzannis ST, Hrushesky WJM, Wood PA, Przybycien TM (1997) "Adsorption of Formulated Interleukin-2 on Drug Delivery Device Surfaces," Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 189, 216-228.

18. Winters MA, Debenedetti PG, Carey J, Sparks HG, Sane SU, Przybycien, TM (1997) "Long-Term Storage of Supercritically-Processed Microparticulate Protein Powders," Pharmaceutical Research 14, 1370-1378.

19. Winters MA, Frankel DZ, Debenedetti PG, Carey J, Devaney M, Przybycien TM (1999) “Protein Purification with Vapor-Phase Carbon Dioxide,” Biotechnology and Bioengineering 62, 247-258.

20. Sane SU, Cramer SM, Przybycien TM (1999) “A Holistic Approach to Protein Secondary Structure Characterization Using Amide I Band Raman Spectroscopy” Analytical Biochemistry 269, 255-272.

21. Sane SU, Cramer, SM, Przybycien TM (1999) “Protein Structure Perturbations on Chromatographic Surfaces,” Journal of Chromatography A 849, 149-159.

22. Lam P, Kumar K, Wnek G, Przybycien TM (1999) “Electroless Gold Plating of Stainless 316L Beads,” Journal of the Electrochemical Society 146, 2517-2521.

23. Lam P, Kumar K, Wnek G, Przybycien TM (1999) “A Prototype Electrochemical Chromatographic Column for Use with Proteins,” Analytical Chemistry 71, 4272-4277.

24. Bohme P, Vedantham G, Przybycien TM, Belfort G (1999) “Self-Assembled Monolayers on Polymer Surfaces: Kinetics, Functionalization and Photopatterning,” Langmuir 15, 5323-5328.

25. Vedantham G, Sparks HG, Sane SU, Tzannis ST, Przybycien TM (2000) “A Holistic Approach for Protein Secondary Estimation from Infrared Spectra in H2O Solutions,” Analytical Biochemistry 285, 33-49.

26. Doherty AS; Berglund KD; Buchholz BA; Kourkine IV; Przybycien TM; Tilton RD; Barron AE (2002) “Critical factors for high-performance physically adsorbed (dynamic) polymeric wall coatings for capillary electrophoresis of DNA,” Electrophoresis 23, 2766-76.

27. Srinivasan U, Iyer GH, Przybycien TM, Samsonoff, WJ, Bell JA (2002) "Crystine: Fibrous Biomaterial from Protein Crystals Cross-linked in a Specific Geometry," Protein Engineering 15, 895-902. Featured on journal cover.

28. Berglund KD, Timko AE, Przybycien TM, Tilton RD (2003) “Use of Nonionic Ethylene Oxide Surfactants as Phase Transfer Catalysts for Poly(Acrylic Acid) Adsorption to Silica against an Electrostatic Repulsion,” Progress in Colloid and Interface Science 122, 56-66.

29. Vedantham G, Carothers SL, Belfort G, Przybycien TM (2003) "Structural Response of Bovine Growth Hormone to Dead Ended Ultrafiltration," Separation Science and Technology 38, 251-270.

30. Berglund KD, Przybycien TM, Tilton RD (2003) “Coadsorption of Sodium Dodecylsulfate with Hydrophobically Modified Nonionic Cellulose Polymers I: Role of Polymer Hydrophobic Modification,” Langmuir 19, 2705-2713.

31. Berglund KD, Przybycien TM, Tilton RD (2003) “Coadsorption of Sodium Dodecylsulfate with Hydrophobically Modified Nonionic Cellulose Polymers II: Role of Surface Selectivity in Adsorption Hysteresis,” Langmuir 19, 2714-2721.

32. Daly S, Przybycien TM, Tilton RD (2003) “Coverage Dependent Orientation of Lysozyme Adsorbed on Silica,” Langmuir 19, 3848-3857.

33. Choi EJ, Foster MD, Daly S, Tilton RD, Przybycien TM, Majkrzak CF, Witte P, Menzel H (2003) "Effect of Flow on Human Serum Albumin Adsorption to Self-Assembled Monolayers of Varying Packing Density," Langmuir 19, 5464-5474.

34. Sullivan MM, Green JJ, Przybycien TM (2003) “Development of a Novel Gene Delivery Scaffold Utilizing Colloidal Gold-Polyethylenimine Conjugates for DNA Condensation,” Gene Therapy 10, 1882-1890.

35. Berglund KD, Truong MT, Tilton RD, Przybycien TM, Garoff SG, Walker LM (2004) “Rheology of Transient Networks Containing Hydrophobically Modified Cellulose, Anionic Surfactant and Colloidal Silica: Role of Selective Adsorption,” Rheol. Acta 43, 50-61.

36. Sethuraman A, Vedantham G, Przybycien TM, Belfort G (2004) "Protein Unfolding at Interfaces: Slow Dynamics of ?-Helix to ?-Sheet Transition," Proteins: Structure, Function and Bioinformatics 56, 669-678.

37. Daly S, Przybycien TM, Tilton RD (2005) “Adsorption of Polyethylene Glycol Modified Lysozyme to Silica,” Langmuir 21, 1328-1337.

38. Daly S, Przybycien TM, Tilton RD (2005) “Adsorption of poly(ethylene glycol)-modified ribonuclease A to a poly(lactide-co-glycolide) surface,” Biotechnology & Bioengineering 90, 856-868.

39. Xiao Y, Jones TT, Laurent AH, O’Connell JP, Przybycien TM, Fernandez E (2007) “Protein Instability During HIC: Hydrogen Exchange Labeling Analysis and a Framework for Describing Mobile and Stationary Phase Effects,” Biotechnology and Bioengineering 96, 80-93.

40. Daly S, Przybycien TM, Tilton RD (2007) “Aggregation of lysozyme and of poly(ethylene glycol)-modified lysozyme after adsorption to silica,” Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 57, 81-88.

41. Valentine J, Przybycien TM, Hauan S (2007) "Design of Acoustic Wave Biochemical Sensors using MEMS," Journal of Applied Physics 101, 064508-1?064508-9. Selected by the editor for inclusion in the 1 April 2007 issue of the Virtual Journal of Biological Physics Research, www.vjbio.org.

42. Gaspard S, Przybycien TM, Seigel M (2008) “Skin Color Compensated Colorimeter for Detection and Classification of Pressure Ulcers,” Proceedings of the IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC 2008) pp 1542-1547.

43. Cisneros-Ruiz M, Mayolo-Deloisa K, Przybycien TM, Rito-Palomares M (2009) "Separation of PEGylated from Unmodified Ribonuclease A using Sepharose HIC Media," Separation and Purification Technology, 65 pp 105-109.

44. Pai SS, Tilton RD, Przybycien TM (2009) “Poly(ethylene glycol)-Modified Proteins: Implications for Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-Based Microsphere Delivery,” American Association of Pharmaceutical Science Journal, 11 pp 88-98.

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