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James Castracane

Professor and Head, Nanobioscience Constellation


Dr. Castracane Discusses the Nanobioscience Constellation

Watch Professor Castracane on the FOX23 News Special Assignment Report, "NanoPatch"

Watch Professor Castracane's "Inside CNSE" video interview on "lab on a chip" technology and its uses in nanobioscience applications.   

Read Professor Castracane's Nanotechnology Now Column Nanobioscience at CNSE: Integrating the Animate and Inanimate World

Degrees:

  • Ph.D., Plasma Physics, The Johns Hopkins University, 1982
  • M.A., Physics, The Johns Hopkins University, 1978
  • B.S., Physics, Canisius College, 1976

Professional Background:

  • Head, Nanobioscience Constellation, 2006-present
  • Director, NYS Center for Advanced Technology in Nanomaterials and Nanoelectronics (CATN2), 2004-2009
  • Associate Vice President, 2003-06
  • Founding Faculty and Professor, 2001-present
  • Professor of Physics and Biological Sciences (UAlbany-Adjunct), 1998-present
  • Director of Technology, 1998-present
  • Chief Operating Officer and Senior Research Physicist, InterScience, Inc. (1988-98)
  • Manager, Tokamak Diagnostics Research Group and Senior Research Physicist, MPB Technologies, Inc. (1982-88) 

Areas of research:

  • Micro/nano-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS): Design, assembly, and application of MEMS devices, including optical diffraction and reflection based microsystems
  • Nanobioscience device development:  cell, tissue, molecule integration with micro/nanofabricated structures
  • Optoelectronics: Fabrication of high performance sensor systems including intensified digital imagers, fiber optic systems, biomedical imaging systems and holography
  • Interconnect nanoscience and technology
  • Metrology development
  • Experimental plasma physics: Development of diagnostic instrumentation for fusion-grade plasmas including various spectroscopic, laser scattering, and particle beam based techniques; atomic physics modeling and particle transport simulations 

Research Description:

Dr. Castracane is Professor (Founding Faculty) and Head of the Nanobioscience Constellation in the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) at the University at Albany-SUNY. Dr. Castracane received his BS degree in Physics from Canisius College (1976) and his Ph.D. in Physics from The Johns Hopkins University (1982). Dr. Castracane has received research funding from numerous Federal agencies including NIH, NSF, DOD, DOE, DARPA, and NASA as well as a significant portfolio of State and corporate sponsors. His publication record spans over 100 articles, numerous invited or keynote presentations and 14 patents issued/pending.

His research interests encompass fundamental materials science, 3D integration, nanobioscience, optoelectronics, MEMS, and emerging fields such as molecular electronics and spintronics. He served as Associate VP for Research at CNSE from 2003-2006. Since 2006, under Dr. Castracane's guidance, CNSE has assembled a multi-faceted Nanobioscience program. The target was to establish the critical bioresearch capabilities, associated technologies and the required infrastructure for a broad portfolio of programs. These ranged from fundamental stem cell work to functionalized nanoparticle development to effective integration of tailored biochemistries of cells/tissues/proteins with innovative nanofabricated structures.

Prior to joining CNSE in 1998, Dr. Castracane's private sector experience involved positions at high technology R & D companies including Chief Operating Officer at InterScience, Inc. from 1994-98. As Director of the New York State Center for Advanced Technology in Nanomaterials and Nanoelectronics from 2004-2009, Dr. Castracane continued to assist in the development of the business potential of numerous companies through technical interactions and management counseling.

Selected Research Achievements:

  • Design, fabrication, and integration of MEMS devices, including demonstration of a MEMS based diffraction grating, optical interconnects and application of a MEMS Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) for image contrast control and laser tuning
  • Development of microfabricated devices/structures for cell/tissue analysis
  • Creation of nanofiber-based artificial scaffolds for cell growth and synthetic gland/organ development
  • High performance intensified digital imaging systems for space and defense related applications
  • Advanced imaging systems for biomedical applications
  • Development of fiber optic based pressure sensor array for space applications
  • Advanced tokomak plasma analysis using spectrosopy and particle beam methods Identification of impurity transport dynamics in tokamak plasmas 

Patents:

  • 10 patents issued and 4 pending

Publications (from over 150):  

S. Sequeira, D. Soscia, B. Oztan, R. Jean-Gilles, A. Gadre, B. Yener, J. Castracane, and M. Larsen, “Nanofiber artificial scaffolds regulate salivary gland epithelial cell morphology and focal adhesion complex formation”, to be published, Biomaterials, (2011).

W. K. Raja, Jahangir Satti, Gang Liu and J. Castracane, “Dose response of MTLn3 cells to nanoscale dilutions of arsenic trioxide and ionizing radiation”, to be published, Dose Response, (2011).

N. Raof, W. K Raja, J. Castracane, and Y. Xie, “Bioengineering Embryonic Stem Cell Microenvironments for Exploring Inhibitory Effects on Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells”, Biomaterials, Volume 32, Issue 17, Pages 4130-4139, (2011).

W. Raja, M. R Padgen, J. K. Williams, B. Gligorijevic, J. Wyckoff, J. Condeelis and J. Castracane, “Development Path and Current Status of the NANIVID: A New Device for Cancer Cell Studies”, to be published, Journal of Nano/Microlithography, MEMS, and MOEMS, (2011).

A. Gracias, N. Tokranova, B. C. M. Thelen and J. Castracane, “Influence of diamond nanoparticles on the thermal properties of BCB”, Phys. Status Solidi A, 208, 684-690, (2011)

D. Pesantez, J. Castracane and A. P. Gadre, “Continuous Glucose Microsensor with a Nanoscale Conducting Matrix and Redox Mediator”, to be published, Electrochimica Acta, (2011)

Michael R. Padgen, Waseem Khan Raja, Bojana Gligorijevic, James K. Williams, John S. Condeelis and James Castracane, “Complementary approaches to investigating cancer cell dynamics in the tumor microenvironment”, Microfluidics, BioMEMS and Medical Microsystems, SPIE Vol. 7929, pp. 05-1-0510, (2011).

R. Jean-Gilles, D. Soscia, S. Sequeira, M. Melfi, A. Gadre, J. Castracane and M. Larsen, “Novel Modeling Approach to Generate a Polymeric Nanofiber Scaffold for Salivary Gland Cells”, Invited Paper, Journal of Nanotechnology in Engineering & Medicine, Vol 1, Iss. 3, pp. 1-9, (2010).

W. Raja, B. Glogorijevic, J. Wyckoff, J. Condeelis and J. Castracane, “A New Chemotaxis Device for Cell Migration Studies”, Invited Paper, Integrative Biology, Vol. 2, no. 11-12, pp. 696-706, (2010).

W. Khan Raja, M. R Padgen, D. Eggers, B. Gligorijevic, J. Condeelis and J. Castracane, "New device for in-vivo study of the tumor microenvironment", SPIE-MOEMS-MEMS, Vol. 7593, pp. OH1-8, (2010).

D. Pesantez, L. Brasile, A. Gadre, J. Castracane and B. Stubenitsky, "Development of a Non-Invasive Nanosensor for Prospective Evaluation of Allograft Metabolism and Viability"; American Transplant Congress 2009, American Journal of Transplantation Proceedings; Supplement 2, Vol 9, (2009).

Y. Xie and J. Castracane, "High Voltage Electric Field Driven Micro-/Nanofabrication of Polymeric Drug Delivery Systems" (Review Article), IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology, 28(1): 23-30 (2009).

A. Gracias, N. Tokranova, S. Olson and J. Castracane, "A Novel Optical Component for the Development of an Integrated Interferometric System", Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 7212, 72120P (2009).

W. K. Raja, B. Gligorijevic, J. S. Condeelis and J. Castracane, "A new diagnostic for cancer dynamics: Status and initial tests of the NANIVID", Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 7207, 72070E (2009).

M. Padgen, A. Gracias, N. Tokranova, N. Cady and J. Castracane, "SU-8 microfluidic channels with porous sidewalls for biological applications", Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 7207, 720707 (2009).

D.E. Pesántez, E. Amponsah, J. Castracane, L. Brasile, M. Paranjape, J.F. Currie and A.P. Gadre , "Development of a non-Intrusive Metabolic Microsensor for Clinical Organ Transplant", to be published, MRS, (2009).

D. A. Soscia, M. R. Hynd, J. Castracane, N. Cady and A. P. Gadre, "IKVAV Peptide-Facilitated Neuron Growth through Inverted Electrospun Nanofiber Matrix", SPIE Photonics and Optics 2008, San Diego, CA, (2008).

D. Song, A. Gracias, N. Tokranova and J. Castracane, "New Approaches for Chip to Chip Interconnects: Integrating Porous Silicon with MOEMS," Journal of Micro/Nanolithography, MEMS, and MOEMS, Vol. 7, no.2, (2008).

W. Khan Raja, N. C. Cady, J. Castracane, B. Gligorijevic, J. van Rheenen and J. S. Condeelis, "The NANIVID: a new device for cancer cell migration studies", SPIE-BioMEMS, Vol. 6859, no. 57, (2008).

D. Song, N. Tokranova, A. Gracias and J. Castracane, "A Porous Silicon Thermally Tunable Optical Filter", SPIE-Integrated Optoelectronic Devices, Vol. 6887, no.11, (2008).

A. Gracias, N. Tokranova, and J. Castracane, "SU8-based static diffractive optical elements: Wafer-level integration with VCSEL arrays", SPIE-Integrated Optoelectronic Devices, Vol. 6899, no. 17, (2008).

J. H. Lee, B. Altemus, J. Castracane and A. Gadre, "Structural and Electrical Properties of Conductive Polymeric Aligned Nanofibers via Electrospinning, Vol. 6465, SPIE-MOEMS-MEMS, (2007).

J. Castracane, N. Tokranova and D. Song, "Active silicon components for chip to chip interconnects", Invited Paper, Vol. 6477, pp. 04-1-04-10, SPIE-Silicon Photonics II, (2007).

J. Verheggen, W. Khan-Raja and J. Castracane, "Optimization of diffractive MEMS for optical switching", Vol. 2, Nos.1-2, pp. 87-100, Journal of Experimental Nanoscience, (2007).

N. Tokranova, D. Song, B. Xu and J. Castracane, "Porous Silicon 2D Photonic Crystals", Vol. 6480, SPIE-Photonic Crystal Materials and Devices, (2007).

X. Feng, B. Szaro, N. Tokranova, A. Gracias, G. Lnenicka and J. Castracane, "A living cell-based biosensor utilizing G-protein coupled receptors: Principles and detection methods", Vol. 22, pp.3230-3237, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, (2007).

A. Gracias, X. Feng, B. Xu and J. Castracane, "Novel Microfabrication Approach of Embedded SU8 Fluidic Networks for Cell Transport on Chips", Journal of Microlithography, Microfabrication, and Microsystems (Special Issue on BioMEMS and Microfluidics, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 021102-1 - 021102-7, (2006).

S. Olson, B. Altemus, B. Sankaran, R. Geer, J. Castracane and B. Xu, "Integrated Cantilever Development for Ultrasonic and Acoustic Scanning Probe Microscopy", Journal of Microlithography, Microfabrication, and Microsystems (Special Issue on BioMEMS and Microfluidics, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 021107-1 - 021107-7, (2006).

X. Feng, B. G. Szaro, S. Baselmans, A. Gracias, N. Tokranova, B. Xu and J. Castracane, "Microfabricated Devices for Bio-Applications", Journal of Microlithography, Microfabrication, and Microsystems (Special Issue on BioMEMS and Microfluidics), Proc. SPIE 5718, 13, pp. 13-21, (2005).

M. Almasri, B. Xu and J. Castracane, "Amorphous Silicon Two-Color Microbolometer for Uncooled IR Detection", IEEE Sensors Journal, Vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 293-300, (2006).

J. Castracane, D. Yan, S. Madison, and B. Xu, "Low Power MOEMS Components for Active Optical Systems", Journal of Microlithography, Microfabrication and Microsystems, Vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 041702-1 - 041702-8, (2005).

N. Tokranova, B. Xu, and J. Castracane, "Fabrication of Flexible, One-dimensional Porous Silicon Photonic Band Gap Structures", Materials Research Society, Vol. 797, pp. W1.3.1 - W1.3.6, (2004).

D. Yan, B. Xu and J. Castracane, "Development of Winged Micro-scanners: Architecture and Performance", IEEE Sensors Journal, Vol. 4, no. 5, pp. 603-611, (2004).

H. Xie, B. Li, R. Geer, B. Xu and J. Castracane, "Focused ion beam moire method", Optics and Lasers in Engineering, Vol. 40, Issue 3, pp. 163-177, (2003).

P. Chen, B. Xu, N. Tokranova, X. Feng, J. Castracane, and K. D. Gillis, "Amperometric Detection of Quantal Catecholamine Release on Micromachined Silicon Chips", Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 75, 3, pp. 518-524, (2003).