annual report 2011 - Office for Research - Northwestern University

SECOND PLACE (�gure 2): Ashley van Batenburg-Stafford,
undergraduate student in the laboratory of Jonathan
Jones, cell and molecular biology
Understanding how di�erent proteins
contribute to healing may lead to advances
in wound treatment. Here, alpha 6
integrin—a protein known to be important
for the structural stability of the epidermis,
the skin’s outermost layer—can be seen in
red surrounding the bottom and sides of a
healing skin wound. Fibronectin, a structural
protein found in the dermis, the skin’s inner
layer, can be seen in green. Granulation
tissue, or a scab, can be seen in purple.
THIRD PLACE (�gure 3): Rodrigo Bernal,
graduate student in the laboratory of
Horacio Espinosa
Imagine a pair of pants that could power
your mobile phone as you walk. These
nanowires of gallium nitride generate
electricity when deformed. Individual wires,
here seen surrounding a cluster of wires
in the center, are now being evaluated
for optimal e�ciency based on varying
properties such as length and diameter.
Billions of these tiny wires may one day be
used in clothing or other common items to
produce electricity simply from movement.
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Excellence in Research | Annual Report 2011 25
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