Available Technologies by Category
Improving Quantitative Phase Imaging to Enhance Reliability and Broaden Applications
  • Universal application of an OBM/qOBM optical phase imaging device is made possible by the optimized SNR that identifies configurations with fewer limitations (e.g., conditions, tissue).
  • The simulated SNR can identify non-intuitive geometries for optical phase imaging devices that previously may not have been identified by the arduous experimental optimization process. 
  • Optimized SNR when OBM/qOBM devices take in-vivo and in-situ measurements have been proven reliable across multiple types of tissue.
8936
Enhanced Diversifying Base Editors for Directed Evolution in S. cerevisiae
  • This invention presents an optimized and integrated CRISPR diversifying base editor for use in yeast and demonstrate its ability to rapidly improve the affinity of an antibody through yeast display. 
  • The innovation has enhanced the base editor mutation rate up has been increased to 27-fold by characterizing an improved key variant and by optimizing the structure of the CRISPR guide RNAs.
  • The technology has attained a rate roughly 10-fold higher than state-of-art systems and facilitates ultra-rapid antibody diversification.
9111
Novel Repressor Proteins for Gene Regulation and CRISPRi
  • The new CRISPRi platform uses novel fusion proteins to specifically inhibit target genes of interest and overcome the off-target issues with existing CRISPR platforms already on the market.
  • The technology can be used as a life science tool and/or for diagnostics and therapeutics.
  • The platform aims to limit off-target editing, circumvent incomplete gene knockdown sgRNA sequence-dependent repression activity, and variable performance across human cancer cell lines.
9106
Enabling Rapid Detection of Label-Free RNA for Use in COVID-19 Testing
  • Earlier detection: Identifying the viral components themselves—rather than the body’s reaction to the viral presence (i.e., antibodies)—potentially improves early detection in asymptomatic subjects.
  • Simpler process: Use of minimal reagents and fewer preparatory steps is designed to enable more efficient and facile sample preparation. Avoidance of “wash steps” aims to minimize target loss.
  • Fewer disruptions: Avoiding the use of high-demand supplies (e.g., swabs) and reagents potentially reduces supply-chain and contamination issues.
8669
Messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA)–Based Opsin Expression Enables New and Safer Optogenetic Studies
  • Opsin expression using messenger RNA (mRNA) provides an alternative to viral vectors for use in optogenetic studies involving neurons as well as drug testing with cardiomyocytes.
  • Expression with mRNAs has lower toxicity and is usually detectable within 2–24 hours rather than 2–3 weeks.
  • The controllable and temporary nature of mRNA offers improved expression regulation based on the transfection amount.
7534
Microfluidic Device Enables Prediction of T-Cell Ability to Home and Engraft to Disease Tissues
  • Improve the homing capabilities of T cells to increase adoptive cell therapy treatment response and safety while decreasing off-target effects.
  • Enhance tumor-infiltrating capabilities with engineered microfluidic devices that identify optimal subsets of cells.
  • Optimize development pipelines by reducing the number of laborious in vivo studies, while also helping cell therapy companies ensure their products reach the desired tissue.
9052
Lymphatic System-Specific Lipid Nanoparticles
  • This platform technology improves current targeting to lymphatic tissues and specifically lymphatic endothelial cells.
  • Provides superior tissue targeting and functional delivery of mRNA to lymphatics via loco-regional dermal or subcutaneous avenues.
  • mRNA-based platforms offer a transient and less immunogenic method of delivery compared to protein therapeutics or adeno-associated virus-based platforms.
9056
Soft Wireless Sternal Patch for Detecting Systemic Vasoconstriction Using Photoplethysmography
  • A wireless, soft sternal patch includes integrated skin-like, photolithographically patterned electronics specifically tuned to continuously measure vasoconstriction from the sternum.
  • In overnight trials, the device detected sleep apnea and hypopnea with 95% precision and 100% sensitivity compared to data professionally scored by licensed clinicians.
  • Use of this patch on the chest could improve detection of key markers of numerous harmful health conditions.
9170
Targeted Single Cell Electroporation for Gene and Cell Therapy
  • The technology enables high efficiency delivery and high post-electroporation cell viability compared to current commercial electroporation systems.
  • The technology performs in-flow single cell measurements integrated with electroporation unlike current commercial electroporation systems which have no single cell measurement capabilities.
  • The technology enables automatic feedback control and real-time optimization of electroporation parameters at the single-cell level unlike current commercial electroporation systems which apply the same parameters to all cells in a batch at a bulk scale.
  • The technology enables selected or targeted electroporation and delivery to selected cells or cell types from a mixture of cells unlike current commercial electroporation systems which require upstream or downstream cell sorting steps.
9086
Lymphoid Tissue System Harnesses Ex Vivo Immune Reactions for Rapid Antibody Production and Immune Response Prediction
  • This immunocompetent system uniquely accounts for the unexpected activation of various immune cells to allow proper immune cell differentiation, recapitulating an effective immune response.
  • The chemokine gradient is switchable, allowing the immune cell differentiation needed for an appropriate immune reaction.
  • An ex vivo system supports immune response creation in a controlled environment, allowing reproduction of immunologic events for developing improved therapeutics.
9196
Super-resolution microscope for 3D cell and tissue imaging
  • The technology facilitates super-resolution cell and tissue imaging with multiple colors.
  • The technology provides easy access to commonly adopted protocols, which has an expected wide usage.
  • 3D multifocal scanning microscopy facilitates stationary, multi-focal excitation, thus achieving super-resolution microscopy.
9321
Synthetically Generated, Realistic, and Controllable Human Bio-Signals from Participant-Free Data Collection
  • Synthetic data generation system replicates human body signals and uses a deep generative model to create synthetic SCG beats without human participants. 
  • Transformer-based generative model synthesizes SCG beats that are physiologically diverse and realistic. 
  • Clinically relevant feature inputs act as controls for aortic opening (AO) and aortic closing (AC) features of the generated SCG beat.
9081
Microfluidic System Enables Scalable, High-Throughput Separation for High-Purity Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs)
  • Simple, tunable high-throughput process separates hiPSCs quickly and efficiently according to the degree to which they adhere to a substrate inside the microfluidic device. 
  • Separation of intact cell colonies enables this simple system to avoid damaging and adversely affecting the pluripotency of the cells.
  • The approach is fast, does not rely on labeling technologies, supports greatly enriched cells, and results in a cell survival rate greater than 80%.
5685
Universal Transcriptional Programming in a Bacteroides Consortium Creates a Foundation to Advance Living Therapeutics
  • Consortium-based, universal transcriptional programming framework is a biotic decision-making technology using genetic circuit compression in a Bacteroides community.
  • Compressed genetic circuit design shortens circuit-building time, offers a compact circuit footprint that allows more complexity, uses fewer resources, and reduces cell communication time. 
  • Has potential applications in living therapeutics, advanced biomanufacturing, and next-generation biosecurity.
9006
Fast, Effective Thrombolytic Agent for Arterial Blood Clots
  • The disulfide dimer of the amino acid cystine, has the potential to be a highly efficient thrombolytic agent for treating dangerous arterial blood clots.
  • During in vitro testing DiNAC dissolved thrombi in as quickly as 90 seconds and reduced the diameter and surface area of certain thrombi by 50–95 percent.
  • DiNAC has the potential to treat multiple conditions associated with arterial thrombus formation and to mitigate life-threatening side effects. 
8007
Single Cell Metabolomics Assay
  • The technology makes it possible to identify single cell resolution of lipids and other small molecules in complex tissue types, as well as metabolism mapping specific to different cell types.
  • The measurements found through this can be used to study metabolomic response to drug exposure.
  • The technology can achieve submicron resolution of lipids and other small molecules at anywhere from 200-1000 depth slices, using spatially resolved metabolic profiling.
9023
Measurement and Modeling System Using Cell Signaling Networks
  • The technology quickly identifies cell signaling pathways from a patient biopsy, allowing for personalized treatment approaches to be identified.
  • Measurements can be used to study potential tumor response to drug treatment, through the use of xenografted cells from the patient.
  • 30-100 potential protein pathways and interactions can be measured using a single sample through multiplexing of rapid immunofluorescence.
9022
Saliva-Based Multiplexed Assay with 25x Higher Sensitivity to SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A and B
  • New lateral flow assay device achieves enhanced sensitivity with the same sample concentration, significantly reducing the risk of false negatives.
  • Tunable capillary flow allows sample/reagent to be concurrently delivered to multiple regions, enabling multiplexed and repetitive assays on a single device.
  • Transforms a variety of biological assays and tests performed at clinical laboratories into single-use, disposable dipstick tests to be used at the point of care or home.
9149
Patterned Implantable Devices for Improved Reconstruction of Tubular Tissue Passageway Defects
  • This innovation improves patterned airway stents for passageways or tubular tissues to potentially enable long-passageway reconstructions. 
  • Extrusion-based 3D bioprinting produces a patterned implantable device with higher mechanical strength without increasing the wall thickness of the device.
  • Incorporating auxetic-patterning creates an implantable splinting device for supporting passageway defects in growing patients, such as infants or children.
8831
Novel Hydrogels for Encapsulation, Vascularization, and Transplantation of Cells
  • This hydrolytically degradable poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel leverages ester linkages combined at various ratios with non-degradable macromers to enable tunable degradation kinetics.
  • Potential applications include controlled release and delivery of drugs or proteins as well as cell encapsulation. It can also be used as a delivery vehicle and adhesive for cells in transplantation settings.
  • These innovative hydrogels allow for rapid hydrolytic cleavage in vivo but remain stable in vitro for weeks at neural pH 7 to support regenerative medicine techniques.
9019