Dr. Christine C. Helms
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Profile
Dr. Christine Helms’ research interests are in the areas of biophysics, nano mechanics, and biomaterials. Her research group studies the mechanical properties of natural and synthetic nanofibers.
Specific research interests include investigating and understanding the mechanical properties of individual fibrin fibers. Fibrin is a protein that self-aggregates into nanofibers during blood clot formation. These nanofibers form a mesh scaffold, providing mechanical strength to the clot. The group uses lateral force atomic force microscopy to study the mechanics of the nanofibers and the mechanism responsible for their mechanics.
Helms’ research group also focuses on understanding the role of various spinning parameters in the mechanical properties of electrospun fibers. Many parameters such as polymer entanglement, fiber alignment, solvent, and flow rate to name a few, can affect the resultant electrospun nanofiber. Much work has been conducted to understand the parameters effects on diameter and consistency, however, less has been conducted on the relationship between spinning parameters and mechanical properties. The group aims to elucidate and gain insight into the link between spinning parameters and nanofiber mechanical properties.
Another area the research group studies is enhancing the mechanical properties of electrospun fibers. The mechanical properties of electrospun fibers rarely match or come close to competing with the properties of native nanofibers. The group aims to improve the ability to taylor the mechanical properties of electrospun fibers to enhance their applications.
For more information on her research of teaching see Helms’ personal website.
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Selected Publications
Journal Articles
C.C. Helms. “Variability in individual native fibrin fibers mechanics.” Physical Biology. 2024.21(066003) doi:10.1088/1478-3975/ad899f
Helms, Christine C., Shannon Kapadia, Anne C. Gilmore, Zhexi Lu, Swati Basu, and Daniel B. Kim-Shapiro. "Exposure of fibrinogen and thrombin to nitric oxide donor ProliNONOate affects fibrin clot properties." Blood Coagulation & Fibrinolysis: An International Journal in Haemostasis and Thrombosis (October 13, 2016). doi: 10.1097/MBC.0000000000000602
W. Li, J. Sigley, M. Pieters, C.C. Helms, C. Nagaswami, J. W. Weisel, M. Guthold “Fibrin Fiber Stiffness Is Strongly Affected by Fiber Diameter, but not by Fibrinogen Glycation.” Biophysical Journal. 2016.110(6):1400-1410.
C. Liu, N. Wajih, X. Liu, S. Basu, J. Janes, M. Marvel, C. Keggi, C.C. Helms, A.N. Lee, A.M. Belanger, D.I. Diz, P.J. Laurienti, D.L. Caudell, J. Wang, M.T. Gladwin, D.B. Kim-Shapiro. “Mechanisms of Human Erythrocytic Bioactivation of Nitrite.” Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2015.290(2):1281-94.
M.J. Berry, N.W. Justus, J.I. Hauser, A.H. Case, C.C. Helms, S. Basu, Z. Rogers, M.T. Lewis, G.D. Miller. “Dietary nitrate supplementation improves exercise performance and decreases blood pressure in COPD patients.” Nitric Oxide. 2014.48(1):22-30.
D. Wang, I. Cortes-Puch, J. Sun, S.B. Solomon , T. Kanias, K. Remy, J. Feng, M. Alimchandani, M. Quezado, C.C. Helms, A. Perlegas, M.T. Gladwin, D.B. Kim-Shapiro, H. Klein, C. Natanson. “Transfusions of older stored blood worsens outcomes in canines depending on the presence and severity of pneumonia.” Transfusion. 2014.54(7):1712-1724.
C.C. Helms, M. Marvel, W. Zhao, M. Stahle, R. Vest, G.J. Kato, J.S. Lee, G. Christ, M.T. Gladwin, R.R. Hantgan, D.B. Kim-Shapiro. “Mechanisms of hemolysis-associated platelet activation.” Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 2013.11(12):2148-2154.
C.C. Helms and D. Kim-Shapiro. “Hemoglobin-mediated nitric oxide signaling.” Free Radic Biol Med. 2013. 61:464-472
D. Wang, B. Piknova, S.B. Solomon, I. Cortes-Puch, S.J. Kern, J. Sun, T. Kanias, M.T. Gladwin, C.C. Helms, D.B. Kim-Shapiro, A.N. Schechter, C. Natanson. “In vivo reduction of cell-free methemoglobin to oxyhemoglobin results in vasoconstriction in canines.” Transfusion. 2013. 53(12):3149-63
R.D. Averett, B. Menn, E.H. Lee, C.C. Helms, T. Baker, M. Guthold. “A modular fibrinogen model that captures the stress-strain behavior of fibrin fibers.” Biophysics Journal. 2012. 103(7):1537-44.
J. Tejero, S. Basu, C.C. Helms, N. Hogg, S.B. King, D.B. Kim-Shapiro, M.T. Gladwin. "Low NO concentration dependence of the reductive nitrosylation reaction of hemoglobin". Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2012. 287(22):18262-74
C.C. Helms, R. Ariëns, S. Uitte de Willige, K. Standeven, M. Guthold. “Alpha-alpha Cross-Links Increase Fibrin Fiber Elasticity and Stiffness.” Biophysical Journal. 2012. 102(1):168-175.
S. Baker, J. Sigley, C. Carlisle, J. Stitzel, J. Berry, M. Guthold. “The mechanical properties of dry, electrospun fibrinogen fibers.” Materials Science and Engineering C. 2011. 32: 215-221
J. Kim, H. Song, I. Park, C. Carlisle, K. Bonin, M. Guthold. “Denaturing of single electrospun fibrinogen fibers studied by deep ultraviolet fluorescence microscopy.” Microscopy Research and Technique. 2011. 74(3): 219-224.
W. Liu, C.R. Carlisle, E.A. Sparks, M. Guthold. “The mechanical properties of single fibrin fibers.” Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 2010. 8(5): 1030-1036 (co-first author)
C.R. Carlisle, E.A. Sparks, C. Der Loughiam, M. Guthold. “Strength and Failure of Fibrin Fiber Branch Points.” Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 2010. 8(5): 1135-1138.
C.R. Carlisle, C. Coulais, M. Guthold. “The mechanical stress-strain properties of single electrospun collagen type I nanofibers.” Acta Biomaterialia. 2010. 6(8): 2997-3003.
C.R. Carlisle, C. Coulais, M. Namboothiry, D. Carroll, R.R. Hantgan, M. Guthold. “The mechanical properties of individual, electrospun fibrinogen fibers.” Biomaterials. 2009. 30(6): 1205-1213.
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