Events Calendar

AME Seminar

Speaker: Giovanna Bucci, Bosch

Talk Title: Mesoscale Modeling for Next Generation DNA Sequencing and Sustainable Energy

Abstract: There is great potential for genome sequencing to enhance patient care through improved diagnostic sensitivity and more precise therapeutic targeting. The opportunity to detect repetitive regions and structural variation in the genome has incentivized the development of long-read DNA sequencing. Nano-channel analysis is one of the emerging strategies for non-optical DNA sequencing. However, high cost, low throughput, and low accuracy have so far limited the adoption of long-read technologies. In this work, mesoscale modeling tools are employed to simulate the mechanics of DNA loading and reading, and predict the statistics of polymer-chain conformation under confinement. A workflow was developed to quantify competing requirements of efficiency and accuracy and extract metrics that guide design optimization. Several design variables (geometry, electric field, materials and interfaces, buffer solution, etc.) can be tuned to achieve high throughput base-pair detection. This multi-dimensional design space offers a great opportunity for modeling to provide understanding and accelerate innovation.

Finally, I will provide an overview of my recent work in energy storage/conversion technologies, with a brief discussion of a new theoretical and computational framework to study electrochemical instability and coarsening of catalyst nano-particles.

Biography: Giovanna Bucci is a Senior Research Engineer in the Energy Technologies Division at Bosch, where she has been responsible for the mesoscale modeling of aging in Li-ion batteries and in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Currently, she leads a modeling effort to optimize the design of a DNA sequencing device based on nano-confinement.

Giovanna began her career in the field of computational solid mechanics, with an emphasis on fracture and large-scale simulation. She worked on next-generation energy storage devices, with postdocs at Brown University and in the Carter/Chiang research group at MIT DMSE. Her analyses have established design rules for silicon anodes, and identified failure-tolerant battery microstructures and operating conditions. In recognition of her cross-disciplinary accomplishments, she received the 2015 Rising Stars in Nuclear Science and Engineering award at MIT.

Giovanna took her Ph.D. in Structural Mechanics from the Politecnico di Milano and her M.S. and B.S. in Architecture from Università di Pavia.

Host: AME Department

More Info: https://usc.zoom.us/j/95442736433

Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/j/95442736433

Location: Online event

WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/95442736433

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Tessa Yao

Event Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/95442736433