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Latest Innovations
A Sustained Inhibition of Cancer Stem Cells via STAT-3 Modulation Dr. Dipanjan Pan from the University of Illinois has... Read More Dr. Dipanjan Pan from the University of Illinois has developed a technology to enhance the bioavailability of poorly water soluble drugs. The technology involves coating such poorly water soluble drugs onto a carbon nanoparticle, cucurbituril (CB6) for controlled drug delivery and for improved antitumor activity in vivo. Benefits • Increases bioavailability of known low solubility drugs • Green carbon nanoparticles that reduces toxicity • Theranostic applications
Process for Making Modular Bioactuators Dr. Rashid Bashir has developed a process for manufacturing modular bioactuators. The process utilizes stereolithographic 3D printing to create injection... Read More Dr. Rashid Bashir has developed a process for manufacturing modular bioactuators. The process utilizes stereolithographic 3D printing to create injection molds for cell/hydrogel cultures and for skeletal scaffolds for the actuators. The resulting ring-like actuators can then be manually placed on the scaffold. This introduces a modular design that is customizable and transferable. These actuators are also triggered optogenetically and exhibit directional motion and 2D steering.
Method for Short Run-Time Spatial Gene Analysis Dr. Rashid Bashir has developed a novel method for spatial gene analysis that removes the need for purification and homogenizing steps typical in RNA amplification... Read More Dr. Rashid Bashir has developed a novel method for spatial gene analysis that removes the need for purification and homogenizing steps typical in RNA amplification techniques. This method combines microfabrication and bioengineering in a unique manner that allows for spatial gene analysis in 2 hours or less. The method uses a chip patterned with thousands of picoliter microwells with sharp edges that pixelate the tissue without cross contamination. This preserves spatial data and allows amplification in each microwell.
PathTracker Drs. Cunningham and Bashir have developed a novel point of care diagnostic device capable of detecting pathogen infection from a single drop of blood. A blood sample is... Read More Drs. Cunningham and Bashir have developed a novel point of care diagnostic device capable of detecting pathogen infection from a single drop of blood. A blood sample is channeled through a microfluidics device allowing amplification of viral DNA/RNA of interest, which is then detected using a uses smartphone. Infection information is then uploaded allowing tracking of infections geographically. Immediate uses for the technology are for diagnosis of viral infection in human patients (Zika, dengue, and Chikungunya) and diagnosis of respiratory infection in equine populations (Equine herpesvirus, Equine influenza, Strangles, Equine adenovirus type 1, and Equine arteritis virus). Further uses include water testing, food safety, and pharmaceutical quality control.
Real-Time Label-Free Acoustic Sensing at High Throughput Rate Professor Gaurav Bahl from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a device that performs real-time high sensitivity acoustic sensing of flowing fluid... Read More Professor Gaurav Bahl from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a device that performs real-time high sensitivity acoustic sensing of flowing fluid-suspended cells and particles using ultra-high-Q microfluidic opto-mechanical resonators (OMFRs). They aim to achieve throughput rate of 50,000 cells/second. Related Publications: Bahl, Gaurav, et al. "Brillouin cavity optomechanics with microfluidic devices." Nature communications 4 (2013). Zhu, K., et al. "Opto-acoustic sensing of fluids and bioparticles with optomechanofluidic resonators." The European Physical Journal Special Topics 223.10 (2014): 1937-1947.
Cas9 Mediated Genome Editing Tools for Archaea Dr. Metcalf from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a novel method for genome editing in archaea utilizing the Cas9 system. This method utilizes... Read More Dr. Metcalf from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a novel method for genome editing in archaea utilizing the Cas9 system. This method utilizes Cas9 machinery with the native archaeal HDR mechanism to edit the genome with no off-target activity. This method can also be combined with archaeal NHEJ machinery to allow random mutagenesis at a location of interest. Notably these tools allow efficient genome editing in methanogenic species potentially leading to novel biogenic strategies for methane production.
MRSI Improvements Dr. Liang from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed new MRI acquisition methods and post-acquisition data processing techniques that allow for a... Read More Dr. Liang from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed new MRI acquisition methods and post-acquisition data processing techniques that allow for a standard MRI instrument to perform traditional spin density imaging as well as susceptibility mapping, quantitative susceptibility mapping, and metabolite mapping with high resolution and signal to noise ratio from a single scan. Unlike other techniques, such as CT scans, the current technology does not require ionizing radiation and is thus safer for patients and radiology professionals.
Small Molecules With Antibacterial and Anticancer Activity Dr. Hergenrother from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a series of topoisomerase inhibiting small molecules... Read More Dr. Hergenrother from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a series of topoisomerase inhibiting small molecules with anticancer activity. These molecules possess comparable activity and selectivity to doxorubicin, a common cancer chemotherapy drug, across a range of cancer cell lines. These small molecules are a promising alternative to cardiotoxicity producing doxorubicin as a cancer chemotherapy drug. These molecules are also useful as broad-spectrum antibiotics capable of treating resistant bacteria strains (minimum inhibitory concentrations as low as 0.5 micrograms/mL for S. aureus and E. coli).
PAC-1 combination therapy for Uveal Melanoma Dr. Hergenrother from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a new synergistic combination therapy using the small... Read More Dr. Hergenrother from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a new synergistic combination therapy using the small molecule PAC-1 and kinase inhibitors for treatment of uveal melanoma. There are no current targeted therapies against this type of cancer, making this combination treatment a promising one.
A Machine Learning Approach to Elasticity Imaging Professor Insana from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed an information based technique to determine the... Read More Professor Insana from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed an information based technique to determine the mechanical properties of soft biological media. This technique has been adapted from the Auto-progressive algorithm that was originally developed for civil engineering applications. This algorithm is a unique combination of Force Displacement, Finite Element Algorithm (FEA), and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) along with what to sample and where to look. It is better than the inverse analysis or dynamic imaging techniques in that it has a machine learning aspect which eliminates the need of making any initial assumptions about the media being imaged. The technology has a lot of potential in non-linear imaging and is not tied to any one particular type of imaging technique. Its primary application is in ultrasound imaging.