(LOS ANGELES) — The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) concludes an extraordinary year of scientific discovery and technological innovation that promises to transform healthcare across multiple critical domains. Under the leadership of CEO Dr. Ali Khademhosseini, the institute has made significant strides in bioengineering, regenerative medicine, and personalized healthcare technologies.
Breakthrough Research Across Multiple Disciplines
Advancing Organ Transplantation
TIBI secured a $2.3 million NIH grant to develop an innovative multi-organs-on-a-chip platform, potentially transforming our understanding of transplant rejection and immune tolerance. This groundbreaking research, led by Dr. Vadim Jucaud, aims to create more precise models for studying organ transplantation mechanisms.
Diabetic Wound Healing
Through an R01 Grant secured by Dr. Johnson V. John, he and TIBI researchers developed innovative injectable nanofibrous microspheres for diabetic wound treatment. These biocompatible dermal fillers offer a minimally invasive solution, promoting cell migration, tissue regeneration, and neovascularization. The breakthrough promises to transform wound care for millions of patients suffering from chronic diabetic wounds.
Mental Health Monitoring Technology
Dr. Yangzhi Zhu was awarded the prestigious NARSAD Young Investigator Grant for developing a revolutionary lab-on-a-contact-lens (LoCL) system. This technology promises real-time, non-invasive monitoring of mental health biomarkers, offering new hope for early intervention and personalized treatment.
Innovative Treatment Approaches
The institute made significant advances in multiple medical domains: developed a novel nanoparticle-based therapy for obesity treatment, produced an egg white-based bioink for advanced tissue engineering, and unveiled a groundbreaking hydrogel for aneurysm repair.
Recognition and Awards
TIBI's researchers received numerous prestigious accolades in 2024: Dr. Ali Khademhosseini was honored with the 2024 Biomaterials Global Impact Award and the AIChE's 2024 Andreas Acrivos Award for Professional Progress in Chemical Engineering. In addition, the institute presented its 2024 awards: the Paul Terasaki Distinguished Scientist Innovation Award to Professor Nicholas A. Peppas and the Hisako Terasaki Young Innovator Awards to Dr. Amir Manbachi (Johns Hopkins) and Dr. Ritu Raman (MIT).
Publications
The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation has demonstrated remarkable scientific productivity in 2024, publishing 34 papers across leading journals, including Nature Communications, ACS Nano, Advanced Functional Materials, and Small, along with securing 7 US patents. The research spans diverse areas of biomedical innovation, from liver-on-a-chip platforms and drug delivery systems to novel biomaterials and tissue engineering applications. Notable works include breakthrough research in nanofibrous microspheres for diabetic wound healing, innovative drug-eluting hydrogels for cancer treatment, and cutting-edge developments in 3D bioprinting and organ-on-chip technologies, reinforcing TIBI's position at the forefront of biomedical research and innovation.
Collaborative Milestones
TIBI expanded its collaborative efforts, notably launching a significant research partnership with Mayo Clinic focused on improving organ transplant outcomes through innovative monitoring and predictive technologies. The Terasaki Institute has partnered with Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute (TII) on a significant neurological research collaboration. The project focuses on developing advanced minibrain-on-chip platforms that combine 3D brain models with stem cell technology to improve drug discovery and disease modeling. This partnership enhances both organizations' research capabilities while supporting the UAE's goal of becoming a global biotech innovation hub.
Terasaki Events
The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation continues to foster scientific collaboration and innovation through its diverse event programming. The flagship Terasaki Innovation Summit 2024, held March 27-29, 2024, at UCLA's Luskin Center, brought together world-leading scientists, including Nobel Laureate Frances Arnold and distinguished innovator Cato T. Laurencin, to explore cutting-edge developments in bioengineering and planetary health.
Complementing this annual gathering, the Terasaki Quarterly Translational Mixers provide regular networking opportunities for researchers and industry professionals to forge new connections and explore potential collaborations. The Institute further demonstrates its commitment to scientific advancement by hosting an NSF outreach meeting at its Westwood facility, specifically designed to guide early-career faculty through NSF funding opportunities and grant applications, offering personalized consultation sessions to support the next generation of biomedical innovators.
Terasaki NeXt Incubator
The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) proudly announces the continued growth of its NeXt Incubator program, which has successfully nurtured multiple innovative biotech startups since its launch in March 2023. The incubator, housed in TIBI's state-of-the-art Los Angeles facilities, has become a pivotal force in transforming breakthrough academic research into market-ready healthcare solutions. Among its current roster of members are AdAstral, MangoDx, and Nammi Therapeutics, alongside recent additions ViboHealth Inc., developing revolutionary non-invasive health scanning technology, and Micromedics Inc., advancing renal dialysis solutions. The NeXt Incubator provides comprehensive support, including shared lab facilities, IP development assistance, and strategic business guidance, exemplifying TIBI's commitment to bridging the gap between scientific innovation and real-world patient impact.
Looking Forward
"Our achievements in 2024 represent more than technological advancements—they symbolize our unwavering commitment to improving human health," said Dr. Ali Khademhosseini. "By bridging cutting-edge research with practical applications, we are not just imagining the future of medicine—we are actively creating it."
The Terasaki Institute remains dedicated to its mission of pioneering biomedical innovations that transform healthcare, offering hope and improved outcomes for patients worldwide. The Terasaki Institute has launched 1 Transplant Forever, a $30 million campaign to develop 3D-printed livers for transplantation. The initiative aims to address the organ shortage crisis through advanced bioprinting technology, building on TIBI's expertise in transplant science. The program includes research, clinical trials, and public education components, focusing on creating accessible transplant solutions that reduce the need for long-term immunosuppression.