News + Events

Article from an ITP PI, Dr. Luiz Bertassoni, on his work on microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip featured on the Portland Tribune!

C-DOCTOR ITP investigator, Dr. Geoffrey Gurtner, featured on NPR

From the Osteology Foundation:

For the current Oral Regeneration Topic “Interdisciplinary strategies in dentistry”, Jeniffer Perussolo spoke with Karin Jepsen, the first author of our key publication “The effect of timing of orthodontic therapy on the outcomes of regenerative periodontal surgery in patients with stage IV periodontitis”.  In this discussion, you’ll discover the benefits of combining orthodontic therapy with periodontal surgery.

According to Jepsen, when treating stage IV periodontitis, orthodontic therapy can be initiated as early as four weeks after regenerative surgery, with favourable outcomes and shorter overall treatment time. She outlines the prerequisites for this approach and discusses the future prospects for interdisciplinary treatment.

Don’t miss out on this must-listen interview and enhance your oral regeneration skills! Watch the video or listen to the podcast on THE BOX (free login required)! The podcast is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

From the Osteology Foundation: In the current episode of the Next Regeneration Podcast, hosts Anina and Elena interview Hatice Hasturk about her pioneering work on specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) for treating periodontal diseases. It’s serious progress in the fight against inflammatory disorders.

From the Osteology Foundation: Every six months, we select a new Oral Regeneration Topic. With each topic, you’ll receive a comprehensive scientific overview presented in three distinct formats: the Key Publication Interview, a Webinar featuring an expert in the field, and the Scientific Radar, offering a concise literature overview of the most relevant scientific publications. Our current focus on “Interdisciplinary Strategies in Dentistry” kicks off with the Key Publication Interview of Karin Jepsen by Jeniffer Perussolo in early May. It will be followed by the webinar featuring Óscar González and moderated by Ana Molina in June.

Notice of Information: Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) Funding May be Added to an SBIR/STTR Award by Administrative Supplement

The purpose of this Notice is to make National Institutes of Health (NIH) small business award recipients aware that Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) funds may be requested for an active NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant or cooperative agreement as part of an Administrative Supplement.

SBIR and STTR recipients may request up to $6,500 per year for a Phase I and up to $50,000 per Phase II project (across all years) to support subcontracts or consultants that provide skills and/or expertise that they are unable to provide internally.

Listen to the following podcast episode titled: The art of the exit: how to build patient-centric companies & deliver superior returns consistently from the Think Oral Health Podcast.

The MPWRM Resource Center’s 6th Annual Stakeholder’s Summit was held on April 8-9, 2024, in Ann Arbor, MI, attended by more than 40 participants in-person, with more online.  In addition to the presentations by the Interdisciplinary Translational Project (ITP) teams, new this year was the ITP Pitching Hour, where each ITP team gave a 5 minute pitch presentation.

The event also included a panel session on “Regenerative Therapies in the Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Space: Opportunities, Challenges, and Trends”, a conversation with 5 panelists on the topic of driving innovations in the dental/ oral/ craniofacial space and critical issues to consider.

Thank you to all attendees, both in-person and online.  We hope you enjoyed the event, and look forward to seeing you at our future events!

C-DOCTOR celebrates Dr. Derrick Wan’s successful IND filing for their interdisciplinary translational project “Transdermal Deferoxamine to Enhance Fat Graft Retention for Reconstruction of Irradiated Soft Tissue Defects” (Deferoxamine Patch for Radiation-Injured Skin)!” Their team filed the IND application on November 30, 2023, and received their “study may proceed” letter on January 3, 2024, allowing them to begin their clinical trial. The Deferoxamine Patch for Radiation-Injured Skin ITP is the very first C-DOCTOR ITP to successfully file an IND application since C-DOCTOR has been established. This is a landmark achievement for Dr. Wan, C-DOCTOR, and DOCTRC (Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Tissue Regeneration Consortium). C-DOCTOR has worked diligently and efficiently with the Wan ITP team to ensure that they have all the necessary resources to file a successful IND and graduate from the C-DOCTOR program.

ARPA-H has released its latest newsletter and included two new programs in bioprinting organs and retraining immune cells, that could be of interest. See below for some of these programs to explore for your work.

• EMBODY (Engineering of Immune Cells Inside the Body) – Program Manager – Daria Fedyukina, Ph.D.
• PRINT (Personalized Regenerative Immunocompetent Nanotechnology Tissue) – Program Manager – Ryan Spitler, Ph.D.

New legislation recognizes NIDCR’s role in scientific research and public health

The United States Senate introduced and passed with unanimous support a resolution recognizing NIDCR’s 75th anniversary that hailed “its critical role in improving the dental, oral, and craniofacial health of the United States through research, training, and the dissemination of health information.” The resolution was requested and championed by the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and endorsed by the American Dental Association, the American Dental Education Association, and the Friends of NIDCR.

The bipartisan anniversary resolution (S.Res.605) was introduced by Sen. Ben Cardin and cosponsored by Sen. Mike Braun. In the United States House, Rep. Brian Babin, a dentist, introduced a similar version of the anniversary resolution (H.Res.1078).

ITP PI, Pam Yelick, Named National Academy of Inventors Senior Members

NAI senior members are active faculty, scientists, and administrators from NAI member institutions who have demonstrated remarkable innovation producing technologies that have brought, or aspire to bring, real impact on the welfare of society. At the same time, they have increasing success in patents, licensing, and commercialization—while also educating and mentoring the next generation of inventors.

The fourth episode of the NCI SBIR Innovation Lab podcast is now available! This latest installment focuses on the steps aspiring entrepreneurs should prioritize when starting a small business, told by two NCI SBIR-funded biotech innovators. Listen to this episode to get insights on:

• Transitioning from academia to small business
• Leveraging networking to kickstart your business
• Working with clinical partnerships, tech transfer office, and accelerators
• Reviewing technology-specific considerations when starting a med-tech small business
• Determining the potential impact of your technology

Dive into the newest episode of the Legends podcast! Join the engaging conversation as Istvan Urban, Osteology Foundation Board Member from Budapest, Hungary, interviews Hom-Lay Wang, Professor and Director of Graduate Periodontics at the University of Michigan, U.S.A. Wang, mentor to many successful researchers and clinicians around the world, shares his journey and wisdom.

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry (UMSD) and Biosciences Initiative (BSI) invite nominations and applications for a tenure track faculty position in the areas of biomaterials and regenerative medicine, at the Assistant or Associate Professor level. Passionate scientists who use ground-breaking approaches to advance the field of regenerative medicine, increasing translatability of new therapies, and who are committed to joining a vibrant research community are sought.

MPWRM’s ITP RevBio has received FDA approval to conduct a first-in-human clinical trial to investigate its regenerative bone adhesive for cranial flap fixation. Congratulations RevBio!

The 2023 Annual Report for the Michigan-Pittsburgh-Wyss Regenerative Medicine Resource Center is available! Discover more about our 7th year of operations and Interdisciplinary Translation Projects as we strive to accelerate the translation of promising technologies towards clinical trials and beyond.

Dr. Isabelle Lombaert has received major funding through the University of Michigan Medical School’s Frankel Innovation Initiative award. Congratulations to our MPWRM Resource Center ITP Team Co-PI!

Check out the part two episode of the NIH All About Grants mini-series titled “What Early Career Researchers Should Know (Part 2) – Discovering Strengths to Advance Your Research Career.” Dr. Marguerite Matthews, a program director and co-host of Building Up the Nerve with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and Dr. Ericka Boone, Director of the Division of Biomedical Research Workforce at the NIH Office of Extramural Research, join us in this conversation building off what we previously heard about the “hidden curriculum” (Part 1). They will share experiences and perspectives on how personal growth and professional development intersect, setting a plan to identify your strengths, reiterate the importance of engaging your network, the power of communication, and much more.

Click on the NIH page to listen to part 2 of the podcast.

Phase I Commercialization Support: I-Corps at NIH

Did you know? I-Corps at NIH is a hands-on entrepreneurship training program designed for Phase I companies that received SBIR or STTR funding from NIH or the CDC.

During eight weeks, you’ll learn how to focus your business plan and where to find the tools you need to help commercialize your product. And there’s no cost to you – a $55,000 supplement covers program costs!

Benefits:

Receive training from biotech sector experts
Hone your target market by engaging with potential customers
Expand your professional network
Build the confidence and skills to create a comprehensive business model
This cohort begins in March 2024. The sessions will be held virtually except for the in-person kickoff in Houston, TX, and the in-person closeout session in Bethesda, MD.

Applications for the next cohort are due on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 5:00 p.m., your local time.

Did you know? I-Corps at NIH is a hands-on entrepreneurship training program designed for Phase I companies that received SBIR or STTR funding from NIH or the CDC.

During eight weeks, you’ll learn how to focus your business plan and where to find the tools you need to help commercialize your product. And there’s no cost to you – a $55,000 supplement covers program costs!

Benefits:

Receive training from biotech sector experts
Hone your target market by engaging with potential customers
Expand your professional network
Build the confidence and skills to create a comprehensive business model
This cohort begins in March 2024. The sessions will be held virtually except for the in-person kickoff in Houston, TX, and the in-person closeout session in Bethesda, MD.

Applications for the next cohort are due on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 5:00 p.m., your local time.

Foreign Disclosure Requirements for SBIR/STTR Applications Received on/after September 5, 2023

When the SBIR, STTR, and related pilot programs were reauthorized for FY2023-2025, the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022 made several changes to the SBIR and STTR programs. Policy changes were announced June 12 through this Notice: Implementation of the NIH SBIR and STTR Foreign Disclosure Pre-award and Post-Award Requirements (NOT-OD-23-139).

Key elements include:

disclosure requirements regarding ties to foreign countries,
a requirement for federal agencies that manage SBIR and STTR programs to establish a due diligence program to assess security risks posed by applicants, and
denial of award and recovery authority provisions when ties to foreign countries of concern pose a significant risk.
This policy applies to all NIH, CDC, FDA, and ACL competing applications for SBIR or STTR funding on or after September 5, 2023. More information and resources will be provided in the near future.

Congratulations to MPWRM Resource Center ITP team RevBio, Inc. for being awarded a $3.4 Million NIH Grant for Its Novel Regenerative Bone Adhesive to Treat Complex Fractures!

Congratulations to our ITP teams who will be presenting at the 2023 Forsyth dentech!

Amend Surgical
GreenMark Biomedical
RegendoDent
RevBio

For more info: see “startups” tab on https://forsyth.org/forsyth-dentech/

Our very own MPWRM Resource Center Principal Investigator, Dr. Will Giannobile, is featured on the latest episode of “Legends” podcast. Dr. Giannobile’s journey from Missouri to his pioneering work in tissue engineering is explored, shedding light on the role of molecular growth factors and becoming dean of one of the most prestigious dental schools in the world. Dr. Giannobile talks about the transformative shifts in periodontal treatment, health economics, and the imminent role of AI in shaping the future of dentistry.

Organoids have now been created from stem cells to secrete the proteins that form dental enamel, the substance that protects teeth from damage and decay. A multi-disciplinary team of scientists from the University of Washington in Seattle led this effort.

“This is a critical first step to our long-term goal to develop stem cell-based treatments to repair damaged teeth and regenerate those that are lost,” said Hai Zhang, professor of restorative dentistry at the UW School of Dentistry and one of the co-authors of the paper describing the research. Click to read more.

Across the lifespan, there is a strong connection between dental health and overall health. But the nature of that connection — the specific challenges and risks — changes over time. An infographic from CareQuest Institute summarizes research on these connections, from pregnancy through older adulthood.

ITP PI, Luiz Bertassoni, Head of Lab Where Oregon Scientists are 3D Printing Their Way to a Healthier Future for us All

MPWRM Resource Center and DOCTRC highlighted in the keynote talk at NIDCR’s 75th anniversary event, NIDCR at 75: Celebrating the Past, Charting the Future

Watch recording here

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) has issued its much-anticipated SBIR Contract Solicitation. See below for topic areas. Some topics are only Direct to Phase II while others are FastTrack. Phase I proposals will not be accepted. The solicitation invites proposals in the following areas:

• ARPA-H 01 – Novel telehealth instruments for assessing pediatric well-being.
• ARPA-H 02 – Microneedle-based patches and digital patch interfaces for remote and real-time transdermal drug delivery and chronic disease management.
• ARPA-H 03 – Robotics for autonomous soft tissue surgery.
• ARPA-H 04 – Intra-operative contrast agents.
• ARPA-H 05 – Scale-Up: Transition disruptive technologies from proof-of-concept prototypes to commercially scalable and deployable technologies.

Deadline for questions: June 12
Deadline for receipt: July 3

RevBio Receives ISO 13485 Certification for its Quality Management System

ITP PI, Luiz Bertassoni, Head of Lab Where Oregon Scientists are 3D Printing Their Way to a Healthier Future for us All

ITP Principal Investigator, Dr. Pamela Yelick (Tufts University) was named fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest scientific society! Congratulations! Check out the news release from Tufts University on this announcement.

NSF: Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI)

Open: January 16, 2023

Proposal Due: February 21, 2023

Program Guidelines: NSF 23-519

The Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program (MRI Program Website) serves to increase access to multi-user scientific and engineering instrumentation for research and research training in our Nation’s institutions of higher education and not-for-profit scientific/engineering research organizations.

Don’t miss the Monday, January 30 deadline to apply for the following

• AADOCR Student Research Fellowships – January 30, 2023
• IADR Innovation in Oral Care Award – January 30, 2023
• IADR Osteology Foundation New Investigator Award in Oral Tissue Regeneration  –   January 30, 2023
• IADR Smile Train Cleft Research Award – January 30, 2023

Preventing muscle atrophy – Harvard scientists have developed an adhesive that makes muscles move.

One of our ITP teams, Ostiio, LLC, has been awarded a National Institute of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant for $300,000 to advance research & development of their smart, fully subcutaneous distraction system. This award, building on the work previously supported by the ITP and NSF, is aimed to demonstrate that a miniaturized implant continues to achieve clinically defined expansion force requirements in an expanded set of use cases. Congratulations!

Bioengineers have developed a mechanically active adhesive named MAGENTA, which functions as a soft robotic device able to extend and contract muscles from the outside. In an animal model, MAGENTA successfully prevented and supported the recovery from muscle atrophy.

“Osteoporotic fractures greatly reduce quality of life, and immobilization following a fracture can lead to further bone loss, which puts patients at risk for breaking another bone. To help patients recover quicker, RevBio developed a potential new therapeutic device, a patented bone adhesive called Tetranite®, that promotes bone growth. In an investigation launching on SpaceX’s 26th Commercial Resupply Services mission (SpaceX CRS-26), the company will examine how well Tetranite® works to regenerate new bone during spaceflight.”

Check out the podcast, “The Next ReGeneration”. On the third episode, Daniel Thoma talks about the highly controversial topic of preclinical research, how it has changed over time, where there is still value in conducting preclinical research, and where it has been replaced.

“Amend Surgical, Inc., an Alachua-based medical device company, announced today that it has finalized a funding agreement with the Institute for Commercialization of Florida Technology (the Florida Institute) along with being awarded a substantial product development funding from The Michigan-Pittsburgh-Wyss Regenerative Medicine (MPWRM) Resource Center.”

Our Partner at C-DOCTOR, Bridget Samuels, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, presented Dental, Oral & Craniofacial Tissue Regeneration Consortium (DOCTRC)” at the hybrid 51st Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the AADOCR, held in conjunction with the 46th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research (CADR), online and onsite in Atlanta, GA, on March 24, 2022.

Americans’ oral health has improved over the last two decades, but disparities in oral health have stubbornly persisted and pose a major global public health threat, write National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) Director Rena N. D’Souza, D.D.S., Ph.D., Acting Science Advisor to the President and former National Institutes of Health Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., and U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., M.B.A., in a new perspective published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

ITP team GreenMark Biomedical secures follow-on investment of $830,000 in equity financing in the form of convertible notes in anticipation of a Series A financing in 2022. Congratulations!

ITP PI, Dr. Steve Little selected as a member of the 2021 Fellow class of the National Academy of Inventors, the highest professional distinction accorded to academic inventors. Congratulations!

Mark your calendars and join us for the first DOCTRC Innovator Networking Series event on Oct 26, 2021, 3PM Eastern.

Congratulations to ITP GreenMark Biomedical! GreenMark was recognized as a2021 Best of Class Technology Award Winner!

JDR and IADR highlight the Special Issue: Interface Between Materials and Oral Biology, featuring an article by the MPWRM Resource Center. Click here for the JDR interview with Resource Center PI Dr. David Kohn.