The University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Medical Innovation (CMI) awarded grants totaling $115,000 to five engineering and medicine groups through its 2017 Round-2 Pilot Funding Program for Early Stage Medical Technology Research and Development. Four of the five projects are led by McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine affiliated faculty members. The latest McGowan Institute faculty funded proposals include proposed solutions to conditions such as peripheral artery disease, pulmonary fibrosis, improved wound healing and repair, and a better means to perform root canal surgery.
The Center for Medical Innovation, a University Center housed in Pitt’s Swanson School of Engineering, supports applied technology projects in the early stages of development with “kickstart” funding toward the goal of transitioning the research to clinical adoption. Proposals are evaluated on the basis of scientific merit, technical and clinical relevance, potential health care impact and significance, experience of the investigators, and potential in obtaining further financial investment to translate the particular solution to healthcare.
“We have an extremely strong cohort from our 2017 Round 2 funding,” said McGowan Institute affiliated faculty member Alan Hirschman, PhD, CMI Executive Director. “The collaboration between engineering and medicine at Pitt provides a fertile setting for novel medical technology, and so we’re proud to give these researchers funding to take their ideas to the next level.”
The funded projects include:
A Structurally and Mechanically Tunable Biocarpet for Peripheral Arterial Disease
Development of a prototype “Biocarpet” that is mechanically and topographically tunable and can be used to treat complex peripheral artery disease. This will help treat long lesions in peripheral arteries that have multiple stenoses.
Jonathan Vande Geest, PhD, Professor of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering
Kang Kim, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; and secondary appointment in Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering
William Wagner, PhD, Professor of Surgery University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Director, McGowan Institute, and secondary in Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering
John Pacella, MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; and Vascular Medicine Institute
Kenneth Furdella, Graduate Student, Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering
FibroKine: CXCL10 Biomimetic Peptides for Treatment of Pulmonary Fibrosis
Development of an inhaled aerosol delivery system will achieve target organ specificity and efficient delivery to the lung. This will specifically aid patients who suffer from pulmonary fibrosis.
Cecelia Yates, PhD, Assistant Professor of Health Promotion and Development, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing
Timothy Corcoran, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; and secondary appointments in departments of Bioengineering and Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering
Zariel Johnson, PhD, Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing
Christopher Mahoney, MS, PhD Candidate, Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering
Gel-Based Reconstructive Matrix for Treating Orbital Trauma and Periocular Wounds
Development of a novel ocular trauma management system, for immediate response to injuries that occur to the areas including and surrounding the eye.
Morgan Fedorchak, PhD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Clinical & Translational Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; secondary appointment in Chemical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering; and Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration
Jenny Yu, MD, FACS, Assistant Professor and Vice Chair for Clinical Operations Department of Ophthalmology, UPMC Eye Center; and Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Michael Washington, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Vital-Dent, a Revitalizing Root Canal Solution
Development of a novel device to regenerate vital tooth pulp after root canal therapy. Vital pulp will help protect the tooth from future infection and injury, reducing the need for tooth extraction, implants, and dentures.
Juan Taboas, PhD, Department of Oral Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine; secondary appointment, Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering; and Center for Craniofacial Regeneration
Herbert Ray Jr., DMD, Assistant Professor of Endodontics and Director, Graduate Endodontic Residency Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine; and Center for Craniofacial Regeneration
Jingming Chen, BS, Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering; and Center for Craniofacial Regeneration
Congratulations, all!
Illustration: Center for Medical Innovation.
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University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering News Release
