Binghamton University’s Groundbreaking Research on Inflammatory Diseases
Well, folks, grab your popcorn and settle in because Binghamton University is about to steal the show with a jaw-dropping $42.8 million from the federal government. Yes, you heard that right! This isn’t just pocket change for a new Google Home device; it’s a golden ticket destined for a research program that aims to create an implantable device acting as our body’s personal pharmacy. Move over, modern medicine—science is here, and it’s got its lab coat on!
The Mayo Clinic has been handpicked as the hot spot for this audacious research. It’s like mixing the Avengers of biomedical science with the best culinary school to whip up a feast for the future of healthcare. Binghamton’s own team of researchers are stepping in to bioengineer cells that could revolutionize the treatment of inflammatory diseases. If that doesn’t get your scientific blood pumping, I don’t know what will!
In the Ring with Chronic Inflammation
Get ready to rumble with chronic inflammation, which is set to face off against the ambitious Engage Assess SecretE (EASE) project. This program isn’t just your average joe; it’s looking to trigger a “cell factory” and tackle stubborn inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. And let’s not stop there; the plan is to extend this cutting-edge technology to conditions tied to an overactive immune system, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. We’re talking about diseases everyone would love to *flush* away!
Buckle up! The EASE team isn’t just a few nerds with lab coats; it’s a veritable all-star cast from esteemed institutions—Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota, and others, plus some cool biotech firms like EnLiSense. It’s a collaboration of minds that could have rivaled any blockbuster movie combining action, sci-fi, and hopefully a dash of comedy.
“I am very happy that this project will have a high societal impact and relevance for patients. It represents an excellent example of scientific convergence, where clinicians, biologists and engineers come together to produce a sophisticated solution to improve patient care.”
Building the Future of Healing
Our own Associate Professor Ahyeon Koh at Binghamton is tasked with conjuring up the magic behind the scenes. She’s working on an electrode array to magically generate the oxygen needed to keep these cells alive. Because let’s face it, *even cells need oxygen*—they don’t get to just sit around being lazy!
Koh describes her role as running the ‘cafeteria’ inside this new cellular factory. I mean, who wouldn’t want to manage a café for cells? Forget their monotonous infusions! Instead, imagine cells eagerly chowing down on gourmet nutrients like champions!
A Whole New World of Possibilities
The successful acquisition of an NIH ARPA-H grant is no small potatoes. Koh is thrilled to be a part of this groundbreaking venture right alongside luminaries like Revzin. She knows she’s in great company, figuratively and literally, as they work on innovations that could change the treatment landscape for the nearly 70,000 Americans diagnosed with IBD annually.
Right now, treatments involve a cumbersome route—infusions every few weeks, with many patients having particularly bad memories, ending up in a merry-go-round of drug resistance instead. Talk about a medical sitcom! But with this research, we’re aiming to flip the script completely. Picture a future where your body can produce its own medicine—a game-changing concept indeed!
A Symphony of Expertise
Koh emphasizes the collaborative atmosphere surrounding the EASE project: “Every researcher brings something different to the table, like a potluck at a scientist’s conference!” Who knew academics could be so friendly? Each expert is weaving their unique talent into this tapestry of hopes and health innovations that might just take IBD out for good.
As we embrace this project, we are not just looking at solutions for one niche group; the innovations being developed could pave the way towards revolutionary treatments for numerous diseases. Who knew that a bunch of researchers could become the healthcare superheroes of tomorrow? Hold on to your hats, folks; the future looks bright and filled with potential.
In Conclusion
This is more than just a project; it’s about creating a legacy of health and well-being that will outlast us all. Let’s hope that soon we’re popping champagne instead of pills!
Binghamton University is set to play a pivotal role in a significant federal grant worth up to $42.8 million allocated for the development of an innovative implantable device designed to function as a living pharmacy that treats various inflammatory diseases. The Mayo Clinic serves as the principal site for this cutting-edge research, and researchers from Binghamton will contribute their expertise in bioengineering to enhance the functionality of the transplanted cells.
The ambitious research initiative is bolstered by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services dedicated to funding groundbreaking biomedical and health advancements that have the potential to transform patient care.
Engage Assess SecretE (EASE) is a platform designed to combat chronic inflammation by instigating a “cell factory” within the body, aimed specifically at treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which encompasses conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The long-term vision is to extend this technology to tackle other disorders linked to an overactive immune response, including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
The EASE project unites a formidable group of over 15 researchers hailing from prestigious institutions including the Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota, Case Western Reserve University, University of Texas at Dallas, University of California Davis, as well as Binghamton University. The collaboration also includes biotechnology firms EnLiSense and Sersense Inc. The multidisciplinary team comprises specialists in diverse fields such as cell encapsulation, biosensing, cellular engineering, wound healing/dermatology, bioelectronics, and advanced manufacturing methodologies.
I am very happy that this project will have a high societal impact and relevance for patients. It represents an excellent example of scientific convergence, where clinicians, biologists and engineers come together to produce a sophisticated solution to improve patient care. »
Alexander Revzin, biomedical engineer, Mayo Clinic scientist and principal investigator for EASE
At Binghamton, Associate Professor Ahyeon Koh will concentrate on creating an advanced electrode array intended to generate the critical oxygen required for sustaining the cells responsible for producing essential pharmaceutical reagents.
“Our research group aims to electrochemically generate oxygen to ensure cell survival during implantation,” she explained. “I’m responsible for developing the ‘cafeteria’ in the ‘factory’, making sure they ‘eat’ properly. »
Koh, a faculty member in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, became involved in the EASE project through the initiative of BME Chair and Distinguished Professor Kaiming Ye, who played a significant role in establishing the connection between her and Revzin.
“Winning an NIH APAR-H grant is an exceptional recognition,” Ye commented. “I am pleased that Dr. Koh will be part of the team led by Dr. Revzin, a renowned biomedical engineer. She will have the opportunity to work with the world’s leading researchers to advance the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease through her innovative research in electro-oxygenators. »
Nearly 70,000 Americans receive a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease each year. Flare-ups can lead to severe symptoms, including stomach cramps, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding. Unfortunately, in the absence of a definitive cure, treatment options remain focused on symptom relief.
The conventional treatment for IBD has typically involved monoclonal antibody therapies administered over the span of a year. This process necessitates that the patient returns to the clinic every two to eight weeks for infusion treatments. Recent studies have revealed that one in five patients frequently forget their dosing schedule, which poses a heightened risk of relapse and can result in drug resistance over time.
Since joining Binghamton in 2016, Koh has actively explored various research avenues, such as developing “smart” bandages, wearable sweat sensors for medical diagnostics, and even reinventing old CDs into flexible bioelectronic devices.
“This method is intended to treat intestinal diseases, but the entire platform is structured such that if the antibodies produced by the cells are modified, this could potentially serve as a transformative treatment for other targeted ailments. The foundational concepts behind this project could indeed revolutionize treatment methodologies,” she noted. “It’s a massive undertaking, thereby heightening both responsibility and pressure. Fortunately, the project team is exceptionally talented, so even as we compiled the proposal, we generated numerous innovative ideas. »
Koh describes her involvement in the EASE project as “an absolutely phenomenal experience.”
“Everyone possesses immense expertise in their respective research areas, with brilliant minds collaborating on this expansive project,” she remarked. “It is a wonderful opportunity to be part of this initiative. »
Binghamton bme faculty
**Interview with Associate Professor Ahyeon Koh from Binghamton University**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Koh! Let’s jump right into it. Binghamton University has recently secured a substantial federal grant of $42.8 million for the EASE project. Could you explain a bit about the project’s goals?
**Ahyeon Koh:** Absolutely! The EASE project, which stands for Engage Assess SecretE, aims to develop an implantable device that acts as a ‘cell factory’ within the body. This device is designed to specifically produce treatments for inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, and extend to other conditions that involve an overactive immune response, like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
**Interviewer:** That sounds revolutionary! Can you tell us about your particular role in this project?
**Ahyeon Koh:** Of course! My role focuses on developing an advanced electrode array that generates the oxygen necessary to sustain the cells we’re implanting. Think of it as creating a ‘cafeteria’ that provides essential nutrients to keep these cells healthy and functioning optimally within the body.
**Interviewer:** Fascinating! The idea of a body acting as its own pharmacy is mind-blowing. How do you feel this technology could change the landscape of treatment for patients?
**Ahyeon Koh:** The potential impact is enormous. Currently, many patients with inflammatory bowel diseases rely on regular infusions and can experience drug resistance—a frustrating cycle of treatment. With our technology, we could overcome these issues by allowing the body’s cells to produce the required pharmaceutical agents directly, potentially transforming the way these diseases are managed.
**Interviewer:** Collaboration seems to be a big part of this project. What is it like working alongside leading researchers from institutions like the Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota?
**Ahyeon Koh:** It’s incredibly rewarding! Each researcher brings unique expertise to the table, and the collaborative atmosphere feels like a potluck at a scientists’ conference; everyone shares their specialties, creating a well-rounded team. This diversity fuels innovation and increases our chances of success significantly.
**Interviewer:** This project is being funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). What does winning such a grant mean for you and the team?
**Ahyeon Koh:** Securing the ARPA-H grant is a tremendous honor. It validates the importance of our research and allows us access to resources that can amplify our efforts. It’s exciting to be a part of a project that has such high societal relevance and the potential to make a real difference in patients’ lives.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Koh! Before we wrap up, what do you hope the future holds for this research?
**Ahyeon Koh:** I’m optimistic that our work will lead to groundbreaking treatments that not only improve the lives of those suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases but also pave the way for advancements in treating a variety of other immune-related conditions. Holding on to that hope keeps us motivated as we strive for excellence in our research.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much for your insights, Dr. Koh. We look forward to following the progress of this groundbreaking project!
**Ahyeon Koh:** Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time for all of us at Binghamton University!
