Research Interests

Professor Domach's research concentrates on cellular processes, cell physiology/energetics, enzymology, and novel biomedical devices.

Parallel Experimentation Systems for Drug Discovery and Cell Development
A collaboration with a nearby medical research group aims to develop an automated system for performing 100 or more cell growth experiments in parallel. A unique facet is when cells present certain cues that are detected via optics or fluorescent probes, the abiotic environment can be altered by robotic devices so that cellular control mechanisms can be directed or tested in detail. One current application entails expanding stem cell populations for engraftment into patients. Another project involved building arrays of surface sensors to track the location and proliferation of 100's of cells.

Cellular Processes
The goal is to understand the behavior of cells in bioreactors and, thus, reactor performance in terms of biochemical reaction and control mechanisms. Current work entails developing in situ NMR and fluorescent spectroscopic methods for observing intracellular reaction processes. Coupling the experimental investigations to mathematical model development also is a key component of this work.

Environmental Metabolism
The kinetics of polycyclic aromatic hydro-carbon degradation are under investigation. Professor Domach uses fluorescence spectroscopy to observe the fate of hydrocarbons in intact, model soil-water systems.

Representative Publications

T. Zhu, C. Phalakornkule, S. Ghosh, I.E. Grossmann, R.R. Koepsel, M.M. Ataai, and M.M. Domach. "A Metabolic Network Analysis & NMR Experiment Design Program with User Interface-Driven Model Construction," Metabolic Engineering, 5(2): 74-85, 2003.

S. Ghosh , T. Zhu, I.E. Grossmann, M.M. Ataai, and M.M. Domach. "Closing the Loop Between Feasible Flux Scenario Identification for Construct Evaluation and Resolution of Realized Fluxes via NMR." 15 February 2005, 459-66, Computational Challenges in Biology Issue.

D.D. Nguyen, X. Huang, D.W. Greve, and M.M. Domach. "Fibroblast Growth and H-7 Protein Kinase Inhibitor Response Monitored in Microimpedance Sensor Arrays." Biotechnol Bioeng. 87(2): 138-44, 2004.

X. Huang, D.D. Nguyen, D.W. Greve, and M.M. Domach. "Simulation of Microelectrode Impedance Changes due to Cell Growth." IEEE Sensors Journal 4(5): 576-583, 2004.

N. Domalgalski and M.M. Domach. "Basics of Molecular Biology," chapter in press for the upcoming 2005 CRC Handbook of Biomedical Engineering.

T. Zhu, Z. Pan, R. Koepsel, M.M. Ataai, and M.M. Domach. "Engineering of Bacillus Subtilis for the Enhanced Total Synthesis of Folic Acid," Applied & Env. Microbiol. in press 2005