Disease Type

Latest Innovations
Workflow for 3D Printable Heart Dr. Brad Sutton from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a fully automated workflow to generate 3D digital... Read More Dr. Brad Sutton from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a fully automated workflow to generate 3D digital heart models directly from MR scans. This workflow can be used by non-experts to create hi-fidelity models of the heart for surgical planning.
Identification of Methylated Proteins by use of Nanopores for Early Disease Detection While nanopore sequencers available in the DNA sequencing industry are capable of detecting the presence of proteins in DNA strands, they are currently unable to identify... Read More While nanopore sequencers available in the DNA sequencing industry are capable of detecting the presence of proteins in DNA strands, they are currently unable to identify specific proteins that are present. To solve this, Professor Leburton has developed a matched filter algorithm to classify particular epigenetic markers. The algorithm’s novel sensor technology detects and maps regions of hyper- and hypo-methylations across the genome using genetic markers. By calculating electrical current signatures of proteins and comparing them to other current signatures, it identifies the type of protein that exists on the DNA strand. The technology, which can be implemented onto existing hardware, is programmable to identify any protein. Integrating a sensor with signal processing architectures could pave the way to developing a multipurpose technology for early disease detection.
In vivo Active Inhibitors of FOXM1 for the Treatment of Breast Cancer Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) constitutes about 10-20% of all diagnosed breast cancers and is known to be more aggressive and difficult to treat. TNBC lacks the... Read More Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) constitutes about 10-20% of all diagnosed breast cancers and is known to be more aggressive and difficult to treat. TNBC lacks the three most common types of receptors: estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2 receptor. There is a great need to find therapies targeted against TNBC due to the challenge it presents. The transcription factor, FOXM1, is implicated in several types of cancers including breast – its inhibition affects many important downstream targets essential in cancer. However, there are no effective compounds with in vivo activity against FOXM1. A group of investigators from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, led by Dr. John Katzenellenbogen, have developed novel FOXM1 inhibitors that have shown activity against cancer and may be a potential therapeutic for TNBC. They first developed a fluorescent probe for screening FOXM1 inhibitors and, furthermore, synthesized novel compounds that have demonstrated good bioavailability both orally and subcutaneously. Studies in mice have shown suppression of breast tumor growth and inhibition of Tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cell proliferation.
Novel Endocannabinoid Therapeutics Therapeutic endocannabinoid derivatives showing an increased half-life and enhanced anti-migratory properties. These compounds retain the anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous... Read More Therapeutic endocannabinoid derivatives showing an increased half-life and enhanced anti-migratory properties. These compounds retain the anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous, anti-angiogenic, and anti-platelet aggregatory properties and are predicted to have minimal side-effects.
Dearomative carboamination and its application in synthesis of anticancer agents New synthesis method for isocarbostyril alkaloids based on dearomative carboamination of the benzene ring. This is the shortest and most efficient method known to date,... Read More New synthesis method for isocarbostyril alkaloids based on dearomative carboamination of the benzene ring. This is the shortest and most efficient method known to date, enabling further synthesis of novel derivatives with improved metabolic activity, stability, and aqueous solubility.
Large Scale Parallel DNA Detection by 2D Solid-state Multi-pore Systems A scalable device design of a dense array of multiple 2D nanopores made from nanoscale semiconductor materials to simultaneously detect multiple DNA strands and identify... Read More A scalable device design of a dense array of multiple 2D nanopores made from nanoscale semiconductor materials to simultaneously detect multiple DNA strands and identify translocations of many biomolecules in a massively parallel detection scheme. The technology is based on the variation of the transverse sheet current across each membrane. The electronic sensing across the nanopore membrane offers a higher detection resolution compared to ionic current blocking technique in a multi-pore setup, irrespective of the irregularities that occur while fabricating the nanopores in a 2D membrane.
Robotic Surgery with Haptic Feedback Researchers from University of Illinois have advanced the field of robotic surgery by introducing haptic feedback based on the 3D point cloud reconstruction technique. The... Read More Researchers from University of Illinois have advanced the field of robotic surgery by introducing haptic feedback based on the 3D point cloud reconstruction technique. The point cloud can be seen in the display and the doctor receives a feedback if the tip of the tool touches any unexpected region or with too great a force. The application has great potential since a small mistake can lead to death due to excessive bleeding.
Detection of Neurotransmitters via Interfacial pH Modulated Assisted Ion Transfer Dr. Shen from University of IL has developed an electrochemical method to directly detect neurotransmitters gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate without... Read More Dr. Shen from University of IL has developed an electrochemical method to directly detect neurotransmitters gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate without modification. In the detection, neurotransmitters are protonated thereby forming complexes with ionophores. This method is convenient and is able to monitor dynamic information of neurotransmitters. This method is compatible with both large instruments and benchtop unit.
Converting Gram-Positive Antibiotics to Gram-Negative Bacteria Dr. Hergenrother from the University of IL has developed a method to convert compounds of Gram-positive antibiotics to Gram-negative antibiotics. This method and... Read More Dr. Hergenrother from the University of IL has developed a method to convert compounds of Gram-positive antibiotics to Gram-negative antibiotics. This method and compound of matter are assisted by machine learning algorithm used for finding the characteristics of successful Gram-negative antibiotics. This invention offers wide-variety of Gram-negative antibiotic compounds for patients.
Characterizing Glioblastoma Heterogeneity via Single-cell Receptor Quantification Dr. Princess Imoukhuede from University of Illinois has developed a new quantitative receptor measurement approach for examining glioblastomas (GBM) heterogeneity. This... Read More Dr. Princess Imoukhuede from University of Illinois has developed a new quantitative receptor measurement approach for examining glioblastomas (GBM) heterogeneity. This approach is a paradigm shift in single-cell technologies: from gene-centric to proteomics. It provides never-before-seen insight into GBM heterogeneity that will ultimately enable more effective cancer treatment. It is a sensitive, quantitative approach that enables high-throughput measurements.