Group Members
Summer 2012

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ATR-FTIR Instrumentation

Dimension 3100 AFM

AFM image of Fe₂O₃ sol-gel film

RESEARCH INTERESTS    
Biofilm Adhesion  
The Bullen Research Group conducts multidisciplinary research that involves the use of attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) in conjunction with other analytical methods (atomic spectroscopy, fluorescence, atomic force microscopy) to study biofilms, which have a profound impact on industrial, food processing, and medical settings.

To date, a detailed understanding of biofilm formation is lacking.  Current models of the early stages of biofilm adhesion do not account for chemical reactions that may occur at the surface of a substrate.  Our research is focused on understanding the role of siderophores (organic ligands produced by most bacteria that have a high binding affinity for iron) in bacterial adhesion to metal oxide surfaces.  We are also evaluating protective (nonbiofouling) coatings for stainless steel medical implants.

Evaluating Nanoparticle Toxicity

The Bullen Research Group has a collaborative project with Dr. Haik investigating the toxicity of nanoparticles that show potential for drug delivery across the blood brain barrier (BBB).  For a recent interview on this project go here.

Schematic of atomic force microscope (AFM).

Selected  Publications (*indicates undergraduates)

Haik, K.; Bullen, H. A., A Risky Proposition? Undergraduate Research with Low-Income, First-Generation, Underrepresented STEM Students. Vignette CUR Quarterly 2011, Spring.

H. J. Gulley-Stahl,* P. A. Hogan II,* W.  L. Schmidt,* S. J. Wall,* A. Buhrlage,* H. A. Bullen. “Surface Complexation of Catechol to Metal Oxides: An ATR-FTIR, Adsorption, and Dissolution Study” Environ. Sci. Technol. 2010, 44, 4116-4121.

Haik, K.; Bullen, H. A., Undergraduate Research at the Intersection of Disciplines:  Challenges and Solutions to Research Issues at the Interface of Biology and Chemistry at Northern Kentucky University (NKU). Vignette CUR Quarterly 2009, Winter.

E. D. Banks*, N. M. Taylor*, J. Gulley, B. R. Lubbers, J. G. Giarrizo, H. A. Bullen, T. M. Hoehler, and H. A. Barton. “Bacterial Calcium Carbonate Precipitation in Cave Environments: A Function of Calcium Homeostasis” Geomicrobiology Journal 2010, 27, 444-454.

H. J. Gulley-Stahl,* W.  L. Schmidt,* H. A. Bullen.  “Characterization and Reactivity of Chromia Nanoparticles prepared by Urea Forced Hydrolysis” Journal of Materials Science 2008, 43, 7066-7072.

C. Morris,* B. J. Sieve and H. A. Bullen “E-Learning Module: Introduction to X-ray Diffraction” Journal of the Analytical Sciences Digital Library, 2008, Article ID 100047.  (http://www.asdlib.org/onlineArticles/ecourseware/Bullen_XRD/XRDModule_index.htm)

C. A. Cason,* S. A. Oehrle, T. Fabre,* C. D. Girten,* K. A. Walters, D. A. Tomalia, K. H. Martines, H. A. Bullen.  “Improved Methodology for Monitoring Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) Dendrimers Surface Transformations and Product Quality” Journal of Nanomaterials 2008, 2008, Article ID 456082, 1-7.

K. A. Walters, H. A. Bullen. “Development of a Nanomaterials one Week Intersession Course.” J. Chem. Educ. 2008, 10, 1406.

H. A. Bullen, S. A. Oehrle, A. F. Bennett^*, N. M. Taylor^* and H. A. Barton “The Use of Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transformed Infrared (ATR-FTIR) Spectroscopy to Identify Microbial Metabolic Products on Carbonate Mineral Surfaces” Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 2008, 74, 4553.

Robert A. Wilson* and H. A. Bullen.  “E-Learning Module: Introduction to Scanning Probe Microscopy” Journal of the Analytical Sciences Digital Library, 2007, Article ID 100043.  (http://asdlib.org/onlineArticles/ecourseware/Bullen/SPMModule.htm)

H. A. Bullen. “Teaching Surface Characterization to Undergraduates.” Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 2007, 387, 1579-1581.

Selected Presentations (* indicates undergraduates)

S. Sutkamp,* M. Toms,* H. A. Barton, H. A. Bullen “Implication of nutrients on pyoverdin and metal chelating compound produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ” Abstracts of Papers, 241st ACS National Meeting, Anaheim, CA, United States, March 27-31, 2011.  (Poster)

M. Toms,* S. Sutkamp,* A. Morris,^* H. A. Barton, H. A. Bullen “Isolation and characterization of metal chelating compounds produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ” Abstracts of Papers, 241st ACS National Meeting, Anaheim, CA, United States, March 27-31, 2011.  (Poster)

M. Henry* H. A. Bullen. “Synthesis and characterization and antimicrobial silver nanoparticle dental composites” Abstracts of Papers, 241st ACS National Meeting, Anaheim, CA, United States, March 27-31, 2011.  (Poster)

A. Haskamp,* S. Karasiova,* S. Kramer* J. Baumann,* E. Walsh,* J. Pahren,* C. Girten,* H. A. Bullen, P. Hare.  “NKU SAACS: Can't knock the hustle of a successful SAACS chapter.” Abstracts of Papers, 239th ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, United States, March 21-25, 2010.  (Poster)

J.  Pahren,* A. Morris,* A. Swomley,^* H. A. Barton, H. A. Bullen.“Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli Biofilm Formation on Metal Oxide Substrates” Abstracts of Papers, 239th ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, United States, March 21-25, 2010.  (Poster)

A. Morris,* J.  Pahren,* A. Swomley,^* H. A. Barton, H. A. Bullen. “Spectroscopic Analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli Adsorption to Metal Oxides” Abstracts of Papers, 239th ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, United States, March 21-25, 2010.  (Poster)

A. Swomley,^* A. Morris,* J.  Pahren,* H. A. Barton, H. A. Bullen. “Metal Complexation of Pyoverdin Siderophores produced by Pseudomonas Environmental Isolates- Implications in Survival and Growth” Abstracts of Papers, 239th ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, United States, March 21-25, 2010.  (Poster)

A. Haskamp,* A. Swomley,^* H. A. Bullen. “Characterization of coatings to improve biofouling resistance of stainless steel substrates” Abstracts of Papers, 239th ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, United States, March 21-25, 2010.  (Poster)

S. Wall,* N. A. Quansah,* A. Haskamp,* K. L. Haik, H. A. Bullen.“Characterization of Nanomaterial Interactions with Blood Brain Barrier Models” Abstracts of Papers, 239th ACS National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, United States, March 21-25, 2010.  (Poster)

A. Haskamp,* J. Pahren,* A. Swomley,^* A. Morris,* H. A. Bullen. “Evaluating New Directions to Improve Biofouling Resistance of Metal(oxide) Substrates” Pittcon Conference, Orlando, CA, March 2010. (Poster)

H. Bullen, R. Kelly. “Online Learning Modules:  Utilizing a Tool Box and Problem Based Learning Approach to Teach Analytical Science.” Pittcon Conference, Orlando, CA, March 2010. (Talk-Invited) 

K. Hatcher,* A. Haskamp,* H. A. Bullen, M. Doyle. “Mass Spectrometry in a Flash: Animations for online tutorials in Analytical Science” Posters at the Capitol, Frankfurt, KY, Feb. 2010. (Poster)