Paul Millard

Education

Microbiology (Ph.D., Maryland, 1984)

Biosketch

Dr. Millard has over a broad range of experience in microbiology, cell biology and analytical techniques. He has over 20 years of experience in the use of fluorescence-based spectroscopic and imaging approaches to probe biological and biophysical processes. His current program focuses on biosensor research involving a number of physical, biochemical and molecular biological techniques for the detection and characterization of microbial pathogens. Dr. Millard�s laboratory is also involved in studies directed toward elucidating the physiological genomics of the zebrafish model system using biophysical techniques.

Research Interests

Microbial taggants for explosives tracking

This project is focused on the production, detection, and identification of bacterial endospore taggants for explosive tracking. The ultimate goal of the program is to devise strategies and create novel microdevices to help prevent the acquisition and misuse of explosives. This is brought about through the labeling specific lots of explosives with a new type of pre-and post-detonation identification tags, or taggants. This work will also lead to advances in sensor science and engineering, and will potentially impact in areas such as first-responder activities, healthcare, food safety, and pollution avoidance and mitigation.

Biosensors for microbial pathogens

My laboratory is involved in interdisciplinary biosensor research that is directed toward the development of novel techniques and devices for the detection of bacterial pathogens of humans, as well as viral pathogens that infect aquaculture species. We have introduced a novel fluorescence-based molecular detection/amplification system, and are currently carrying out research in collaboration with Dr. Mauricio Pereira da Cunha, in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, to introduce a novel molecular biosensor based on a shear horizontal surface acoustic wave (SH-SAW) platform.

Novel methods for signal amplification

Conventional methods for fluorescence signal enhancement are not possible with certain types of molecular detectors, such as molecular beacons. We have been developing strategies for fluorescence amplification that result in controlled amplification of signals from de-quenched beacons, allowing single-step hybridization reactions to be detected easily by miniaturized devices using inexpensive detectors.

Tools for studying innate immune function in the zebrafish

My laboratory is working in collaboration with Dr. Carol Kim, in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology, to elucidate the molecular and biochemical nature of innate immune function in the zebrafish. A recent outcome of this work was a respiratory burst assay that is carried out with intact zebrafish embryos and used to evaluate innate immune function, which is critical for protection against invading pathogens. Working with Dr. Kim and other researchers at UMaine, a focus area is being developed in the application of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to the study of immunity and toxicology in embryonic, early larval, and adult zebrafish. By integrating research in MEMS with cell biology, immune cell function, imaging microscopy, and fluorescence technology, we are developing a new generation of tools to study immunology and physiology in the zebrafish system.

Selected Publications

  • Sullivan, C., J. Charette, J. Catchen, C.R. Lage, G. Giasson, J.H. Postlethwait, P.J. Millard, and C.H. Kim. 2009. The gene history of zebrafish tlr4a and tlr4b is predictive of their divergent functions. J Immunol. 183:5896-5908.
  • Sullivan, C., J.H. Postlethwait, C.R. Lage, P.J. Millard, and C.H. Kim. 2007. Evidence for evolving Toll-IL-1 receptor-containing adaptor molecule function in vertebrates. J. Immunol. 178:4517-4527.
  • Sullivan, C., J.H. Postlethwait, C.R. Lage, P.J. Millard, and C.H. Kim. 2007. Evidence for evolving Toll-IL-1 receptor-containing adaptor molecule function in vertebrates. J. Immunol. 178:4517-4527.
  • McCarthy, E.L., T. Egeler, L. Bickerstaff, M.P. da Cunha, P.J. Millard. 2006. Detection and identification of IHN and ISA viruses by isothermal DNA amplification in microcapillary tubes. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 386:1975-1984.
  • McCarthy, E.L., L.E. Bickerstaff, M.P. da Cunha, P.J. Millard. 2006. Nucleic acid sensing by regenerable surface-associated isothermal rolling circle amplification. Biosens. Bioelectron. 22:1236-1244.
  • Millard, P.J., L.E. Bickerstaff, S.E. LaPatra, and C.H. Kim. 2006. Detection of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus and infectious salmon anemia virus by molecular padlock amplification. J. Fish Dis. 29:201-213.
  • Berkenpas, E., P. Millard, and M. Pereira da Cunha. 2006. Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 with Langasite Pure Shear Horizontal Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors. Biosens. Bioelectron. 21:2255-2262.
  • Berkenpas, E., P. Millard, and M. Pereira da Cunha. 2006. Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 with Langasite Pure Shear Horizontal Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors. Biosens. Bioelectron. 21:2255-2262.
  • Millard, P.J., L.E. Bickerstaff, S.E. LaPatra, and C.H. Kim. 2006. Detection of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus and infectious salmon anemia virus by molecular padlock amplification. J. Fish Dis. 29:201-213.
  • McCarthy, E.L., L.E. Bickerstaff, M.P. da Cunha, P.J. Millard. 2006. Nucleic acid sensing by regenerable surface-associated isothermal rolling circle amplification. Biosens. Bioelectron. 22:1236-1244.
  • McCarthy, E.L., T. Egeler, L. Bickerstaff, M.P. DaCunha, and P.J. Millard. 2005. Rapid detection of IHNV by molecular padlock recognition and surface-associated isothermal amplification. Proc. SPIE. 5994X:1-7.
  • McCarthy, E.L., T. Egeler, L. Bickerstaff, M.P. DaCunha, and P.J. Millard. 2005. Rapid detection of IHNV by molecular padlock recognition and surface-associated isothermal amplification. Proc. SPIE. 5994X:1-7.
  • Berkenpas, E., S. Bitla, P. Millard, and M. Pereira da Cunha. 2004. Pure Shear Horizontal SAW Biosensor on Langasite. IEEE Trans. IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control. 51:1403-1411.
  • Hu, Y., L.A. French, K. Radecsky, M.P. da Cunha, P. Millard, and J. Vetelino. 2004. A Lateral Field Excited Liquid Acoustic Wave Sensor. Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control. 51:1373-1380.
  • Hermann, A.C., P.J. Millard, S.L. Blake, and C.H. Kim. 2004. Development of a respiratory burst assay using zebrafish kidneys and embryos. J. Immunol. Meth. 292:119-129.
  • Berkenpas, E., S. Bitla, P. Millard, and M. Pereira da Cunha. 2004. Pure Shear Horizontal SAW Biosensor on Langasite. IEEE Trans. IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control. 51:1403-1411.
  • Hermann, A.C., P.J. Millard, S.L. Blake, and C.H. Kim. 2004. Development of a respiratory burst assay using zebrafish kidneys and embryos. J. Immunol. Meth. 292:119-129.
  • Hu, Y., L.A. French, K. Radecsky, M.P. da Cunha, P. Millard, and J. Vetelino. 2004. A Lateral Field Excited Liquid Acoustic Wave Sensor. Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control. 51:1373-1380.
  • Berkenpas, E., S. Bitla, P. Millard, and M. Pereira da Cunha. 2003. LGS Shear Horizontal SAW Devices for Biosensor Applications. IEEE 2003 Itl.l Ultrasonics Symp. Proc., October 5-8, Honolulu, Hawaii, pp. 1404-1407.
  • Berkenpas, E., S. Bitla, P. Millard, and M. Pereira da Cunha. 2003. LGS Shear Horizontal SAW Devices for Biosensor Applications. IEEE 2003 Itl.l Ultrasonics Symp. Proc., October 5-8, Honolulu, Hawaii, pp. 1404-1407.
  • Zhang, C., C.H. Kim, P.J. Millard, and J.F. Vetelino. 2001. An acoustic wave sensor for monitoring ammonium in water. Chemical and Biological Sensors and Analytical Methods II, Proc. 2001 Intl Symp. Electrochemical Soc, 2001-18:121-125.
  • Panchuk-Voloshina, N., R.P. Haugland, J. Bishop-Stewart, M.K. Bhaglat, P.J. Millard, F. Mao, A-Y. Leung, and R.P. haugland. 1999. Alexa dyes, a series of new fluorescent dyes that yield exceptionally bright, photostable conjugates. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 47:1179-1188.
  • B.L. Roth, M. Poot, S.T. Yue, and P.J. Millard. 1997. Bacterial viability and antibiotic susceptibility testing with SYTOX Green nucleic acid stain. Appl. Env. Microbiol. 63(6):2421-2431.
  • Smith, P., P.J. Millard, C.M.S. Fewtrell, and F.M. Ashcroft. Heterogeneity of β-Cell Ca2+ responses to glucose. In: Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Islets of Langerhans, ed. Soria. Plenum Press, New York, 1997.
  • P.J. Millard, B.L. Roth, and C.H. Kim. 1997. Fluorescence-based methods for microbial characterization and viability assessment. Biotechnol. Intl. 1:273-279.
  • Belosevic, M., R.A. Guy, R. Taghi-Kilani, N.F. Neumann, L.L. Gyürék, L.R.J. Liyanage, P.J. Millard, and G.R. Finch. 1997. Nucleic acid stains as indicators of Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst viability. Intl. J. Parasitol. 27:787-798.
  • Millard, P.J., B.L. Roth, H. Truong Thi, S.T. Yue, and R.P. Haugland. 1997. Development of the FUN-1 family of fluorescent probes for vacuole labeling and viability testing of yeast. Appl. Env. Microbiol. 63(7):2897-2905.
  • Taghi-Kilani, R., L.L Gyürék, P.J. Millard, G.R. Finch, and M. Belosevic. 1996. Nucleic Acid Stains as Indicators of Giardia muris Viability Following Cyst Inactivation. Intl. J. Parasitol. 26:637-646.
  • Chandra, S., C. Fewtrell, P.J. Millard, D.R. Sandison, W.W. Webb, and G.H. Morrison. 1994. Imaging of total intracellular calcium and calcium influx and efflux in individual resting and stimulated tumor mast cells using ion microscopy. J. Biol. Chem. 269:15186-15194.
  • Cleveland, P.L., P.J. Millard, H.J. Showell, and C. Fewtrell. 1993. Tenidap: A novel inhibitor of calcium influx in a mast cell line. Cell Calcium 14:1-16.
  • Suter, M.M., F.M. Crameri, J.P. Slattery, P.J. Millard, and F.A. Gonzalez. 1991. Extracellular ATP and some of its analogs induce transient rises in cytosolic free calcium in individual canine keratinocytes. J. Invest. Dermatol. 97:223-229.
  • Millard, P.J., T.A. Ryan, W.W. Webb, and C. Fewtrell. 1990. Immunoglobulin E receptor cross-linking induces oscillations in intracellular free ionized calcium in individual tumor mast cells. J. Biol. Chem. 264:19730-19739.
  • Ryan, T.A., Millard, P.J., and W.W. Webb. 1990. Imaging [Ca2+]i dynamics during signal transduction. Cell Calcium 11:145-155.
  • Marcotte, G.V., P.J. Millard, and C. Fewtrell. 1990. Release of calcium from intracellular stores in rat basophilic leukemia cells monitored with the fluorescent probe chlortetracycline. J. Cell. Physiol. 142: 78-88.
  • Millard, P.J., D. Gross, W.W. Webb, and C. Fewtrell. 1988. Imaging asynchronous changes in intracellular Ca2+ in individual stimulated tumor mast cells. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:1854-1858.
  • Fewtrell, C., F.C. Mohr, T.A. Ryan, and P.J. Millard. 1988. Calcium: an important second messenger in mast cells. Ciba Found. Symp. 147:114-132.
  • Reynolds, C.W., D. Reichardt, M. Henkart, P. Millard, and P. Henkart. 1987. Functional characterization of rabbit antibodies against highly purified cytoplasmic granules from rat LGL tumors. J. Leukocyte Biol., 42:642-652.
  • Henkart, P., M. Henkart, P. Millard, P. Frederickse, J. Bluestone, R. Blumenthal, C. Yue, and C. W. Reynolds. 1985. The role of cytoplasmic granules in cytotoxicity by large granular lymphocytes and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol., 184:121-138.
  • Henkart, P.A., P.J. Millard, C.W. Reynolds, and M.P. Henkart. 1984. Cytolytic activity of purified granules from cytotoxic rat LGL tumors. J. Exp. Med. 160:75-93.
  • Millard, P.J., M. P. Henkart, C. W. Reynolds, and P. A. Henkart. 1984. Purification and properties of cytoplasmic granules from cytotoxic rat LGL tumors. J Immunol 132:3197-204.
  • Blumenthal, R., P.J. Millard, C.W. Reynolds, P.A. Henkart, and M.P. Henkart. 1984. Liposomes as targets for granule cytolysin from cytotoxic LGL tumors. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 81:5551-5555.
  • McCarthy, E.L., T. Egeler, L. Bickerstaff, M.P. da Cunha, P.J. Millard. 2006. Detection and identification of IHN and ISA viruses by isothermal DNA amplification in microcapillary tubes. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 386:1975-1984.
  • McCarthy, E.L., T. Egeler, L. Bickerstaff, M.P. da Cunha, P.J. Millard. 2006. Detection and identification of IHN and ISA viruses by isothermal DNA amplification in microcapillary tubes. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 386:1975-1984.
  • Henkart, P., M. Henkart, P. Millard, and C. W. Reynolds. 1983. Isolation and cytolytic activity of granules from naturally occurring LGL tumors. In: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Natural Killer Activity and its Regulation, pp. 150-155. Excerpta Medica.