IRE Receives New NSF Grant

November 28, 2017

By Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Yusuf Khan, a faculty member of the Institute for Regenerative Engineering, has received new funding from the NSF. The research will evaluate the impact in vitro of RGD-modified alginate hydrogel stiffness and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound derived acoustic radiation force on encapsulated osteoblast behavior. It will also assess the efficacy, in vivo, of transdermally applied acoustic radiation force on osteoblasts encapsulated in an RGD-modified alginate hydrogel and implanted into a mouse cranial defect. Combinations of hydrogel stiffness and acoustic radiation force levels will be investigated to determine the optimum levels for upregulating phenotypic markers and mineralization of the encapsulated osteoblasts. The optimum system is then being utilized in a mouse cranial defect model, with ultrasound force applied daily for 20 minutes a four-week period. The healing of the construct is being evaluated through histology and histomorphometry.

A tenured Associate Professor, Dr. Khan received his Masters and his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Drexel University. He has appointments in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the UConn Health, as well as in the Department of Chemical, Materials, and Biomolecular Engineering and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at UConn.

Congratulations to Dr. Khan on funding for this exciting project.

Science Café on Structural Biology Meets Drug Discovery Finds Great Success

November 9, 2017

The UConn Partnership for Excellence in Structural Biology held a Science Café on Structural Biology Meets Drug Discovery on September 11, 2017 at the Nathan Hale Inn on the UConn Storrs campus. The Keynote Speaker was Dr. Jonathan Moore, Senior Research Fellow and Vice President of Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Boston. Dr. Moore’s insightful remarks focused on the intersection of structural biology and drug discovery and touched on targeting disordered proteins as a new mode of action. Dr. Dennis Wright, of UConn Pharmacy, briefed the group on the PITCH and NPDD academic drug discovery initiatives at UConn. The Science Café attracted a broad cross section of interested faculty as well as administrators, who engaged in a lively discussion of challenges and opportunities.

CICATS Core Interest Group Hosts Science Café

November 8, 2017

By Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.

The UConn Partnership for Excellence in Structural Biology held “Structural Biology Meets Drug Discovery” on September 11 at the Nathan Hale Inn on the UConn Storrs campus. The keynote speaker was Dr. Jonathan Moore, senior research fellow and vice president of Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Boston. Dr. Moore’s insightful remarks on the intersection of structural biology and drug discovery also touched on targeting disordered proteins as a new mode of action. Dr. Dennis Wright of UConn Pharmacy briefed attendees on the PITCH and NPDD academic drug-discovery initiatives at UConn. The Science Café attracted a broad cross section of interested faculty and administrators who engaged in a lively discussion of challenges and opportunities.

CICATS Core Interest Group Hosts Science Cafe

Dr. Cato T. Laurencin Receives New Appointment

November 6, 2017

We are pleased to announce that CICATS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Cato Laurencin has been appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to the National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee. The National Medal of Technology and Innovation is the nation’s highest honor for technological achievement and Dr. Laurencin received this award in May of 2016 at the White House from President Barack Obama. With this appointment, Dr. Laurencin will make recommendations about which nominees should be selected for this distinguished honor.

Connecticut’s First Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors

By Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.

The University of Connecticut hosted the inaugural gathering for Connecticut’s first chapter of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) at the Lyceum in Hartford on September 29. New members were inducted at this event.

The NAI was founded at the University of Southern Florida in 2010 to recognize the contributions of scientist-inventors across all disciplines of the university community. The UConn Chapter was just established with three current members/fellows. In addition to UConn, the NAI has 214 member institutions and 15 international affiliates with a combined membership of 4,000+ members. There are 42 chapters in all. An NAI chapter can include faculty, staff, students, alumni, and affiliates. To receive this distinction from NAI, a researcher must be named inventor on patent(s) issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and must be affiliated with a university, non-profit research institute, or other academic entity.

The inauguration ceremony was followed by a Science Café on “Innovation and Inventorship,” a Kavli Brain event, sponsored by Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (CICATS) and the Kavli Foundation.

Congratulations to everyone on a superb event!

National Academy of Inventors

CICATS Science Cafe Funding Opportunity

November 2, 2017

The Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (CICATS) is pleased to announce the Science Cafe funding opportunity to UConn Health and UConn Storrs. Funded by The Kavli Foundation, CICATS Science Cafés create a social environment for individuals to interact and discuss innovative ideas about translational science and scientific research in general. The maximum amount of funding available for an approved event is $3000.

Click here to view the guidelines and the upcoming CICATS Science Café events. To submit your application, please download the Science Café Planning Form from this page and send an email with the subject line “Science Café Proposal Submission” to Dr. Kevin Lo at wlo@uchc.edu.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Kevin Lo directly at wlo@uchc.edu.

Science Café on Innovation and Inventorship

September 30, 2017

The Innovation and Inventorship Science Cafe took place on Friday, September 29th at the Lyceum in downtown Hartford. Facilitated by Dr. Lakshmi Nair, a panel consisting of Dr. Greg Gallo, Dr. Mostafa Analouri, and Mr. Paul Parker discussed their roles in the process of innovation and invention at UConn, as well as the programs and services available in their offices. Over 60 faculty members, researchers, students, engineers, clinicians, and staff attended the event. Through engaging conversation and audience questions, the Science Cafe was well-received and generated positive feedback from attendees.

The event was made possible through the support of faculty and staff, the Office of the Vice President for Research at UCONN, and especially, The Kavli Foundation.

Launch Event for the ARMI’s BiofabUSA

September 13, 2017

By Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.

On July 28, members of the Institute for Regenerative Engineering (IRE) attended the launch event of Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute’s (ARMI) BiofabUSA, a public/private partnership focused on “Manufacturing the Future of Biofabrication.” This event brought together industry, academia and government to celebrate the opening of new facilities in the Manchester Millyard in New Hampshire. Headed by Dean Kamen of DEKA Research and Development Corp., the BiofabUSA aims to increase the growth and the actual use of human engineered tissues and organs.

The IRE has teamed up with ARMI in order to pursue the science of Regenerating Human Limbs. We are excited by this collaboration and the unique opportunity to lend our expertise to our country and push our regenerative engineering discoveries and breakthroughs closer to the bedsides of soldiers and other Americans in need of vital medical care.

ARMI’s BiofabUSA

Event: CICATS Science Cafe on Structural Biology Meets Drug Discovery @ UConn – 9/11/17 @ 4:00PM

September 7, 2017

Date: Monday, September 11, 2017

Time: 4:00-7:00 PM

Place: Nathan Hale Inn on the Storrs Campus

Sponsored by the UConn Partnership for Excellence in Structural Biology, CICATS and The Kavli Foundation

Featuring: Dr. Jonathan Moore, Senior Research Fellow and Vice President, Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Followed by Group Discussion on Challenges and Opportunities moderated by Drs. Sandra Weller (UConn Health) and Dennis Wright (UConn Pharmacy), co-leaders of the CICATS Drug Discovery Core Interest Group

Light supper will be served. Attendance is free and open to the public.

Registration required via email to pschultz@uchc.edu

IRE Annual Retreat

September 6, 2017

By Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.

On Friday, July 7, the Institute for Regenerative Engineering held its Annual Lab Retreat at Homewood Suites in Farmington. The retreat featured a mix of large-group and small-group activities, along with time for individual reflection. Conversations were thought-provoking, including a discussion of the work planned for 2018. Thank you to those who helped make the retreat a success.

IRE Annual Retreat