A novel integration of ultrathin nanoporous membranes and photonic sensors will allow University researchers to develop an “organ on a chip” technology that uses tissue samples from an individual human patient to mimic how scarring from a tendon injury occurs, especially after surgery to repair the damage.

“This technology is likely the future of medicine. You can now think about personalized medicine in a chip,” says Hani Awad, the Donald and Mary Clark Distinguished Professor in Orthopaedics and professor of biomedical engineering at the Center for Musculoskeletal Research. He is collaborating on the project with James McGrath, professor of biomedical engineering, and Benjamin Miller, professor of dermatology, biomedical engineering, optics, and biochemistry and biophysics.

The collaboration—aided by the close proximity of the Medical Center and its Center for Musculoskeletal Research to the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the River Campus–is supported by a $3.8 million grant—one of 10 nationwide—from the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS).

A major goal of NCATS is to develop 3-D platforms engineered to support living human tissues and cells and mimic complex biological functions of organs and systems. The platforms would be more effective than animal studies in predicting which patients are most likely to benefit from an investigational therapy prior to initiating clinical trials. Read more here.

The shingles vaccine is standard care for everyone over age 50.

In people with lymphoma, however, doctors have had two concerns about this vaccine in the past:

• A weakened immune system due to B-cell blood cancer does not allow a person to make an effective immune response to the vaccine.
• A common treatment for lymphoma, known as BTK inhibitors, might interrupt or prevent an immune response to the vaccine.

According to Wilmot Cancer Institute research published in the journal Leukemia, 32 lymphoma patients who received a newer version of the shingles vaccine responded favorably. The new vaccine uses an inactivated virus and is safer for people with weakened immune systems.

“This is one of the best vaccine responses anyone has seen in patients with these indolent lymphomas,” says the study’s corresponding author, Clive Zent, a hematologist at Wilmot. Read more here.

A new National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant of $4.3 million over 5 years will support the “Telemedicine Enhanced Asthma Management-Uniting Providers for Teens (TEAM-UP for Teens)” program. The program will help provide the following treatment support for Rochester teens with significant asthma and related breathing problems:

• Telehealth visits with an asthma specialist to develop an optimized asthma management plan at the start of the school year.
• School-based supervised therapy of preventive asthma medications – providing support to teenagers with their treatment to ensure they are taking medicine consistently and correctly.
• Follow-up telehealth visits with a nurse asthma educator to support teens and their caregivers with ongoing asthma management.

The preventive asthma care program is led by Jill Halterman, professor of pediatrics, whose partnership with the City School District and school nurse program has allowed her and her team to reach hundreds of children with asthma in the community. Read more here.

Andrew White, assistant professor of chemical engineering, who is recipient of the 2020 Young Investigator Award for Modeling and Simulation from the Computational Molecular Science and Engineering Forum of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). This award recognizes outstanding research in computational molecular science and engineering, encompassing both methods and applications. In addition to a NSF CAREER award in 2018, White has also recently received a five-year, $1.7 million NIH R35 young investigator award – similar to a CAREER award – to apply meta learning to developing therapeutic drugs and new materials with as few experiments as possible.

Climate and environmental changes are some of the biggest threats to human health today.

To better understand and address these issues, the University’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (UR CTSI) has joined the Planetary Health Alliance, a consortium of more than 200 universities, non-governmental organizations, research institutes, and government entities from around the world committed to understanding and addressing global environmental change and its health impacts.

Being a member of the alliance opens the University community up to a wealth of planetary health resources.

The Rochester Roybal Center for Social Ties & Aging Research (The Roc STAR Center) and the UR Aging Institute are co-sponsoring pilot awards focused on promoting the social well-being and healthy aging of those caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.

There are currently two pilot award opportunities—the STAR Constellation Pilot Award and the ProtoSTAR Pilot Award. Apply by January 25, 2021.  Learn more.

The University’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (UR CTSI) offers a range of translational science training resources, including a Research Education Hub, which is hosted on Blackboard.

The Hub has nine learning modules designed to provide professionals and trainees across the entire translational research spectrum with an overview of the key considerations in the design and conduct of clinical and population health studies. Modules include Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design, Community Engagement, Team Science and Grantsmanship. Submit a request online to gain access to the hub.

The next issue of Research Connections will be December 4.

Here are important links for researchers:

• The University’s COVID-19 Resource Center for important updates and guidance on working, teaching, and learning remotely
• University of Rochester Medical Center website for restrictions, resources, and news
• Office of Research and Project Administration (ORPA) site on Coronavirus 2019 resources related to sponsored programs
• The University’s COVID-19 “Restart and Recovery” web page

Please note that the University’s COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily and dashboard numbers may reflect additional cases confirmed later in the day. When a new case is known, the contact-tracing process begins immediately with the Monroe County Health Department, with confirmed exposures being contacted and required to quarantine. Remember:

• If you have symptoms or concerns that you may have been exposed to the virus, here’s what to do.
• Dr. Chat Bot participation is required for everyone who is physically on any University campus or property at any time of day or night; students, make sure you have a current cell number listed in AlertUR to start getting Dr. Chat Bot reminder texts each morning.
• To help keep our campus healthy, wear a mask, maintain physical distancing, wash your hands frequently, and get a flu shot.
• Additionally, please be mindful of the University’s travel guidance.