News

July 19,2021

Researchers to develop bioinks using unique hydrogel

(LOS ANGELES)– The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) has formally signed a collaborative agreement with Tetratherix™, a company which produces Tetramatrix, a synthetic injectable hydrogel currently being clinically tested in a variety of biomedical applications.

Tetramatrix exhibits superior injectability, responsiveness to body temperature and tunable properties. It is also highly biocompatible and biodegradable and because it is purely synthetic, it is not subject to the regulatory and manufacturing restrictions of animal or human-derived products. The unique and advantageous features of Tetramatrix offers the potential for further development into biocompatible, adhesive bioinks for deep tissue applications.

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July 15, 2021

Researchers draw inspiration from snake skin in sensor’s structural design

(LOS ANGELES) – Many bodily functions in humans are manifested by mechanical deformations to the skin – from the stretching, bending and movement of muscles and joints to the flutter of a pulse at the wrist. These mechanical changes can be detected and monitored by measuring different levels of strain at various points throughout the body.

In recent years, much attention has been focused on wearable sensors to measure these strains for use in personal health monitoring. Some of these sensors can detect high-level (40-100%) strains, such as those associated with the movements of fingers and limb joints, others detect mid-level (10-40%) strains, as found in swallowing and facial movements and still others are sensitive to low-level (<1%-10%) strains observed in wrist pulses and vocal cord vibrations.

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June 9, 2021

(LOS ANGELES) – The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation announces the establishment of their Scientific Advisory Board. This board is composed of a highly esteemed panel of researchers who are leading experts in their fields. They will provide the Institute with an external scientific perspective and invaluable scientific guidance to the Institute’s researchers in their research and innovation efforts.

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June 9, 2021

(LOS ANGELES) – Contact lenses have long been considered as a standard of care for vision correction. However, they may also be fashioned into wearable devices for use as diagnostic and therapeutic tools. These so-called smart contact lenses contain wireless sensors that detect and measure bodily metabolites found in human tears; the data collected serves as diagnostic indicators of a person’s health. Smart contact lenses can also be used as drug delivery vehicles which deliver drugs directly into the tear film. This improves the drug’s efficacy and reduces its side effects.

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May 20, 2021

(LOS ANGELES) – The Transplant Research and Education Center has proudly partnered with the Canadian Blood Services to launch several new resources to increase organ donation and transplant awareness in Canada! The Living Donation Storytelling Project is a digital library of living donation stories submitted by real people sharing their living donor kidney transplant journeys. In collaboration with Canadian Blood Services, the Storytelling Project now includes stories from Canadian donors and recipients in English and French.

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May 18, 2021

(LOS ANGELES) – The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) has been awarded a grant by The Good Food Institute (GFI) to develop a unique and effective method of producing cultivated meat, which is meat grown directly from the cell. The TIBI researchers will draw upon their extensive experience in tissue engineering and cell culturing techniques to develop their innovative technology, which would use unique microcarriers in differentiating cell cultures. The project dovetails with GFI’s mission of advancing alternative proteins to create more sustainable methods of producing meat.

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May 7, 2021

The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), a research institute at the frontier of personalized and precision medicine, and HTL Biotechnology, the world leader in using hyaluronic acid and other biopolymers for biotechnology solutions, announce their Memorandum of Understanding to explore the creation of a joint research program. This program focuses on biomaterials for translational projects; it would combine TIBI's microneedle and bioprinting technologies with HTL's expertise in biopolymers for aesthetics, dermatology, ophthalmology, rheumatology, tissue engineering and drug delivery applications.

The Terasaki Institute's broad biomaterials research platform is expanding in size and scope. "Our institute leads the world in developing bioprintable, biopolymer-based technologies poised to revolutionize drug delivery and wearable and implantable devices. Working jointly with HTL, we expect to bring to life a new generation of biopolymer-based applications in critical sectors of precision and regenerative medicine," said Maurizio Vecchione, TIBI's Chief Innovation Officer.

"This MOU demonstrates HTL's strong commitment to innovation, both internally and externally. We look forward to working with the Terasaki Institute and to translating today's technologies into tomorrow's medicines," said HTL Deputy CEO Charles Rubin.

"We look forward to a successful collaboration that will produce impactful innovations for patients and will mutually benefit both organizations," said Ali Khademhosseini, Ph.D., the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation's Director and CEO.

April 26, 2021

(Los Angeles) – The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation announces the establishment of the inaugural Leadership Board.  This board brings together individuals passionate about research and technology to enhance and create practical solutions for patient health and wellness and provides vital opportunity to support the growth of the Institute.  This board includes distinguished individuals who will leverage their expertise to provide strategic guidance on innovation, research areas, promote key initiatives, and support the mission and vision of the Institute. 

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