Lighting Up Cardiovascular Problems Using Nanoparticles
USC Viterbi writes that a new nanoparticle innovation from Deborah Chin, under the supervision of Eun Ji Chung, may allow doctors to pinpoint when plaque becomes dangerous by detecting unstable calcifications that can trigger heart attacks and strokes. (December 5, 2019)
Molecular Vibrations Lead to High Performance Laser
Andrea Armani and her team have discovered a new phenomenon and used it to make a laser with over 40 percent efficiency — nearly 10 times higher than other similar lasers. (December 2, 2019)
Eun Ji Chung Named as IEEE New Innovator and BMES Rising Star
Eun Ji Chung has recently been honored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) for her research in nanomedicine and bioengineering. (November 21, 2019)
HD-SCA Featured as the Top Success Story by the National Cancer Institute
Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies, part of the National Cancer Institute’s Center for Strategic Initiatives, features CSI-Cancer’s High-Definition Single Cell Analysis (HD-SCA) workflow as a top success story among impactful technologies in the field of single cell oncology. (November 5, 2019)
Ellis Meng Wins IEEE Sensors Council Technical Achievement Award
Ellis Meng has been honored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers with the 2019 IEEE Sensors Council Technical Achievement Award. The award was presented to Meng for her “pioneering contributions to biomedical microelectromechanical sensors and their applications for drug delivery and microfluidics, neural interfaces, and medical implants.” (November 5, 2019)
One of the world’s first global, online academic photonics conferences to be held January 13, 2020
USC Viterbi reports that while distant and online learning has been readily adopted for some time, academic conferences have remained an in-person activity. This will radically change with a new conference, the Online Photonics Meetup (POM), launched by committed photonics leaders from around the world, including conference organizer Andrea Armani. (November 5, 2019)
A Laser and a Magnet Walked into a Box
SPIE.org reports that Andrea Armani worked with her team to come up with a diagnostic that could accurately recognize early-stage parasitemia, while also being rugged, lightweight, fast, easy to maintain, easy to use, and cheap. (October 16, 2019)
USC researchers receive $12.5 million grant to build out unique facial database
FaceBase III, a project of USC’s dentistry and engineering schools, was just awarded a $12.5 million grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. “We’re trying to create a community of researchers around the exchange and organization of data, and transform the way craniofacial research is done,” said Carl Kesselman. (August 28, 2019)
Can the circadian clock in cancer cells help defeat a deadly brain cancer?
Scientists at USC and UC San Diego have discovered a potential novel target for treating glioblastoma. “We think this is opening the door to a whole new range of therapies,” said Steve Kay. “It’s a great example of collaboration and convergence.” (August 27, 2019)
2 Bridge Institute BUGS grads finish with Fulbright fellowships in hand
Students attribute Fulbright opportunities to study diabetes and cancer to research experience gained at the Bridge Institute at the USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience. (May 9, 2019)
A good night’s sleep may be in sight
Researchers plan to develop new sleep disorder treatments based on new 3D models of two melatonin receptors created by an international team. The studies were published in ‘Nature.’ (April 24, 2019)
Steve Kay elected to the Royal Society of London
The director of the USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience and the MESH Academy becomes the university’s second faculty member in the prestigious society. (April 18, 2019)
Cancer has a biological clock and this drug may keep it from ticking
Scientists at USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience and Japan’s Nagoya University find and test a promising drug that stops cancer by interfering with the cancer cells’ metabolism and other circadian-related functions. (January 23, 2019)
Unmasking Malaria With A Cheap Magnet And A Laser Pointer
On NPR’s Joe’s Big Idea, Andrea Armani and Samantha McBirney explain the inspiration behind their work on malaria and their progress toward an inexpensive and effective early-detection device. (January 17, 2019)