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Human Systems

Latest Innovations
Algorithm Modified Deoxynybomycin for the Treatment of Gram-Negative Bacteria Dr. Hergenrother from the University of IL has developed a novel antibiotic that is effective against certain antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria. His powerful... Read More Dr. Hergenrother from the University of IL has developed a novel antibiotic that is effective against certain antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria. His powerful predictive algorithm determines accumulation of molecules in Gram-negative bacteria and enables conversion of known Gram-positive only antibiotics into novel compounds with Gram-negative potency.
Designer Estrogens with Decreased Cancer Risk Dr. John Katzenellenbogen from the University of Illinois has designed Pathway preferential estrogens (PaPEs) that are novel synthetic compounds that... Read More Dr. John Katzenellenbogen from the University of Illinois has designed Pathway preferential estrogens (PaPEs) that are novel synthetic compounds that structurally resemble the natural estrogen but with its reduced binding affinity, form ER-PaPE complex with a short lifetime of seconds. This short binding is sufficient to selectively activate the ER non-genomic pathway and not the ER genomic pathway. PaPEs are shown in animal models to promote health of metabolic tissues and vasculature; reduces body weight gain and fat accumulation after ovariectomy and accelerates repair of endothelial damage; no stimulation on breast and endometrial cancerous cells. Technology Benefits: • Selectively activates ER non-genomic pathway • Results in an enhancement of the repair of vascular injury, & prevents weight gain • No stimulation on breast and endometrial cancerous cells
A Pro-Apoptotic Microbial Community Network Enriched in the Tissue of IPF and Lung Cancer Patients Dr. Isaac Cann from the University of Illinois has identified biomarkers and therapeutic strategy for treatment of... Read More Dr. Isaac Cann from the University of Illinois has identified biomarkers and therapeutic strategy for treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and lung cancer. This strategy has the potential to dramatically improve the lives of millions patients throughout the world. It is the first know effective treatment route for IPF. The therapeutic strategy is based on the discovery of link between microbial community remodeling and IPF. Furthermore, the lung microbial community can induce excessive apoptosis of alveolar lining epithelial cells leading to lung carcinogenesis. Benefit • Treatment strategies including broad spectrum antibiotics may be effective for treating IPF and preventing lung cancer
Project Multiband, Multishot Magnetic Resonance Elastography Pulse Sequence This is an imaging technique designed for estimating the stiffness of tissues non-invasively. This technology can be used to understand a wide array of... Read More This is an imaging technique designed for estimating the stiffness of tissues non-invasively. This technology can be used to understand a wide array of neurological disorders. This method has a significantly shorter scan time than previous methods disclosed by the same research group. A “speaker” is used to vibrate the brain and this acquisition software is fast enough to capture motion without blur. Using this multislab approach allows for short repetition time in MR scanning with a very high signal-to-noise ration (SNR). This allows for a whole-brain scan with 2mm isotropic spatial resolution in only 3 minutes. Benefits Uses multiband excitation 3D distributed slab encoding Non-linear phase error correction
Project Diagnosis of Trimethylaminuria with a Handheld Optoelectronic Nose The inventors have developed a sensitive handheld device which can detect TMA vapors at concentrations well below the diagnostically significant... Read More The inventors have developed a sensitive handheld device which can detect TMA vapors at concentrations well below the diagnostically significant concentration of TMA. Current methods require expensive instrumentation, complicated preparation of sensors, lack of portability, and long times of analysis. Benefits Method of detection not limited to handheld devices (which the manuscript addresses) First report of a line reader/sensor for a biological application Novel method of TMA detection
In vivo Thickness Mapping of the Tympanic Membrane Dr. Stephen Boppart from has developed a new method of mapping the thickness of the tympanic membrane. This method uses LCI and video otoscopy data to... Read More Dr. Stephen Boppart from has developed a new method of mapping the thickness of the tympanic membrane. This method uses LCI and video otoscopy data to piece together a full image of the tympanic membrane and overlay that image with thickness measurements. This will allow physicians to noninvasively examine tympanic membrane thickness leading to more accurate and less invasive diagnose middle ear infections.
Nanoporous Organic Semiconductor Thin Films Fabrication Dr. Ying Diao has identified a new nanoporous thin film fabrication method using simple solution processing methods applicable to both polymer... Read More Dr. Ying Diao has identified a new nanoporous thin film fabrication method using simple solution processing methods applicable to both polymer and small molecule semiconductors. Using the novel additive method, she has developed a OFET chemical sensors comprising of nanoporous thin film. Templated by the nanostructured PVP:HAD layer, the pore sizes in the semiconductor layer are widely tunable from 50 nm to 1µm. Compared to the currently available sensors, the invention exhibited ultrafast and ultrasensitive response to ammonia as well as formaldehyde molecules down to 1ppb at hundred-millisecond time scale, a breakthrough of 10-fold sensitivity enhancement. The excellent performance, simple fabrication, and diverse form-factors of nanoporous transistors has opened up a wide range of applications of the invention in the fields of personal health and environmental monitoring, both fields which demand sensors with high sensitivity on the ppb level with fast response.
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.
pH Activated Antimicrobial Peptides for Treatment of H pylori Infection Dr. JJ Cheng from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a helix/random confirmation switchable antimicrobial polypeptides (HRS-AMPs) that are pH... Read More Dr. JJ Cheng from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a helix/random confirmation switchable antimicrobial polypeptides (HRS-AMPs) that are pH sensitive and can kill Helicobacter pylori. H pylori, a causative agent of gastric ulcers, lives in the acidic environment of the stomach, and these pH activated antimicrobial peptides could be used to kill H pylori. The polypeptides are inactive until reaching the stomach, thus preserving the microbiota of the rest of the GI tract. In vivo data demonstrates good biodistribution, bioavailability, efficacy, and low toxicity compared to standard treatment for H. pylori infection. Moreover, HRS-AMPs are active against MDR and clinical isolate strains.

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