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Kerri Keng, URECA Researcher of the Month
The Engineering Scholars for Medicine Program: New 8 Year BE-MD Program at Stony Brook University
Upcoming Seminar: Mechanical Influences on Endothelial Cell Regulation
Of Cardiac Function with Stem Cells
Low Vibrations Greatly Reduce Fat Production in Mice
STAR Center broke ground on Sept 24, 2007
New Minor in Nanotechnology
BME student to attend UCLA Advanced Neuroimaging
BME Undergraduates Excel in Research
Stony Brook University Ranks High in Biotechnology
MS/MBA in Biomedical Engineering
BME receives ABET accreditation
High School Student Reaches Intel Finals for his
BME Research
New awards to faculty from NSF and the Coulter
Foundation
BME Undergraduate Student Accolades
Intel Semifinalist Conducted Research With
BME Faculty
BME Faculty builds a portable device to examine
bone quality for space and Earth-based diagnostic
Microchips Killed the Radio Star
BME Graduate Students Make Significant Contributions
to the University Annual Achievements Report
Another NRSA for a BME Graduate Student
International Fluid Flow Meeting Led by Stony Brook
Faculty
BME MD/PhD receives prestigious National Research
Service Award (NRSA) from the NIH
BME Chair's research reported in Wall Street Journal
Award for a recent BME PhD graduate
High School Students Recognized for BME Research
BME Students Receive Award Recognition for Excellence
in Research
BME Faculty receive funding from NASA for
the Development of New Diagnostic Device for Assessing Bone Quality
in Space and on Earth
BME Department produces one of 40 Finalists
in the prestigious 2004 Intel Science Talent Search from a group
of 300 semi-finalists nation-wide.
Biomedical Engineers Gain Recognition, Jobs
BME Department produces 4 Semi-Finalists in the
prestigious 2004 Intel Science Talent Search from a record 1652
applicants nation-wide
Two new BME Faculty Members Awarded Young
Investigator Grants from The Whitaker Foundation
Dr. Clinton T. Rubin receives national
award for research focusing on musculoskeletal disease
BME-Stony Brook at the Summer Bioengineering
2003, Key Biscayne, FL
BME Student Wins Prestigious NASA Fellowship
BME faculty wins prestigious Established Investigator
Award (EIA) of the American Heart Association
BME Undergraduates Recognized for Research Excellence
BME student receives grant from National Collegiate
Inventors and Innovators Alliance
BME Undergraduate awarded prestigious Barry
M. Goldwater Scholarship
BME Professor Receives $764,073 Grant from
NASA
BME Faculty Only One of 10 to Receive $200,000
Grant for Biotech Research
More Stony Brook BME Awards for Students
& Faculty
BME graduate student receives two prestigious awards
BME Faculty receives Promising Young Scientist award
by the International Society of Biomechanics
BME faculty honored by SUNY Chancellor for
Outstanding Contribution to SUNY
BME Jobs to Climb 31.4 Percent, According to Labor
Department
Research Technician Position Open
Graduate Internship in Biotechnology and Patent
Law for life sciences graduates
BME Dept. produces Intel Semifinalist
BME faculty performs landmark operation in pioneering
cardiac surgery
BME receives $3M grant from Whitaker Foundation
New NASA research uncovers evidence that barely
perceptible vibrations may stimulate bone growth
Biomedical Engineering, bioinformatics and clinical
research are among the top three paying areas of the life sciences,
according to a new survey by trade journal The Scientist and Abbott, Langer & Assoc.
Dr. C. Rubin's research on osteoporosis published
in Nature
Kerri Keng, URECA Researcher of the Month
Taking on challenges seems to be bred in the bone for Yenmei (Kerri) Keng. When Kerri moved to the US from Taiwan 6 years ago, her main focus was learning English and adapting to new surroundings. She is now about to graduate with a 3.94 GPA and a double major in Biomedical Engineering, and Applied Mathematics & Statistics, and a minor in Mechanical Engineering. Working in the lab of Professor Stefan Judex, Kerri's research on "Biomechanics - Bone Loss investigations from morphological and mechanical properties perspectives," has been supported with fellowships from URECA and from the Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Programs, and has already earned her name on a publication in Bone....Read More
The Engineering Scholars for Medicine Program: New 8 Year BE-MD Program at Stony Brook University
The Engineering Scholars for Medicine Program is an outstanding opportunity for high achieving students who wish to pursue both their interests in the engineering and medical fields.
Today’s healthcare industry is becoming increasingly technological, as shown by the evolution of the MRI and other advanced imaging methods, drug delivery systems, the development of artificial or tissue-engineered organs, computer controlled prosthetics, medical instrumentation, microelectromechanical systems, and robotic surgery techniques. To keep pace with these developments, there is a need for students with strong engineering backgrounds to enter the medical profession.
A background in engineering has proven highly desirable for admission to medical school; engineers develop strong problem solving skills and tend to attack problems from several angles. This ingenuity is particularly important in developing new methods of treatment, technology, and medicine. In addition, like doctors, engineers are held to a high standard of ethics; both must consider the human and environmental impact of their work.
Students accepted into this program are guaranteed admission to Stony Brook University’s School of Medicine, provided they:
- Complete all requirements and graduate from any BE degree program in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Stony Brook University
- Complete all required premedical courses
- Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.2
- Pass the MCAT examination with a score of 28 or better
The Engineering Scholars for Medicine program is an excellent track for students who wish to pursue careers in medicine while obtaining undergraduate degrees in the engineering field of their choice. Students in this program will receive the rigorous training required of all engineers in ABET accredited programs, while at the same time taking the courses required of premedical students, being exposed to research in the medical fields, and preparing for the MCAT examinations.
Qualifications
To be considered for admission to the Engineering Scholars for Medicine program, you must:
- Have a combined SAT Math and Critical Reading score of 1350 or higher
- Have documentation of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency in the United States
- By February 1, 2008, complete your application for freshman admission as an engineering major to Stony Brook University for Fall 2008 and submit to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions:
- Your official high school transcript(s)
- Your SAT scores
How to Apply
Apply for admission to Stony Brook’s Engineering Scholars for Medicine Program by submitting the Engineering Scholars For Medicine Program Application , along with required essays and letters of recommendation, no later than February 1, 2008, to the address indicated on the back page of the application.
Note: Do not complete this application if you have or will be completing Stony Brook’s online supplemental application to be considered for admission to the Scholars for Medicine Program through the Honors College or the Women in Science and Engineering Program.
Upcoming Seminar: Mechanical Influences on Endothelial Cell Regulation
May 13, 2008
Mechanical Influences on Endothelial Cell Regulation
Natacha DePaola, Ph.D.
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Rensaelaer Polytechnic Institute
Part of the 2007-2008 Biomedical Engineering Seminar Series
An Interdisciplinary Program of Academia & Industry
Wednesdays at 4:00, School of Medicine, Atkins Learning Center, Level 4
For Full Listing of Seminar Series click here
Low Vibrations Greatly Reduce Fat Production in Mice
Stony Brook, NY. October 22, 2007. The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) of the United States of America published results of a breakthrough study aimed at addressing the growing obesity epidemic in the United States. A short stint on a platform that vibrates at a barely perceptible level, repeated daily for fifteen weeks, made a cohort of young adult mice leaner than a control group, researchers report.
Low-level vibration makes mice leaner
Clinton Rubin, Ph.D. and colleagues at Stony Brook University and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory investigated what effect extremely low level vibration would have on the formation of fat cells in the growing animal. Previous results had shown that these mechanical signals, induced at a high frequency of 30-90 times per second, was beneficial to the growth of muscle and bone cells—which develop from the same precursor cells as fat cells. "These low-magnitude mechanical signals appear to do something remarkable, and that is inhibit the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into fat cells," say Dr. Rubin, indication that stem cells turn into either fat, bone or muscle cells. "Theoretically, a mechanical signal that controls the differentiation of stem cells could prevent obesity and perhaps osteoporosis."
The work published in PNAS showed that exposing mice to this buzzing platform, exerting forces much smaller than those that which occur even during walking, for 15 weeks resulted in 27% less adipose tissue (fat). Dr. Rubin interpreted these data to suggest: “That the formation of fat tissue, and the risk of obesity, is not only a metabolic process, but a developmental one as well. Further, the signals need not be big or endured for along time; these mice stayed lean by avoiding the formation of adipocytes.”
This study leverages a collaboration between the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Pharmacology, as well as Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and The Jackson Laboratory. Dr. Stefan Judex, a principal in the study, explains: “The BME faculty involved in this study are really “bone-heads”… bringing in expertise in obesity and diabetes from the Department of Pharmacology, and stem cell differentiation from CSHL, was critical to designing the study and interpreting the results. It has really been great fun to bring all these different perspectives together and consider a new etiology for obesity, and perhaps a new, non-drug intervention for the prevention of this debilitating disease.”
The researchers subjected mice to 15 minutes of low-level vibration a day and kept tabs on the animals’ weight. At the end of the trial, there was a small reduction in weight in the test group, compared to mice that were placed on a stationary platform. However, whole animal scanning, confirmed by weighing the specific fat pads , revealed that the vibrated mice had almost 28% less fat in the torso than controls, achieved by inhibiting the formation of fat from stem cells, rather than metabolizing existing fat. Further, levels of fatty compounds linked to diabetes, such as triglycerides and free fatty acids, were markedly reduced in the livers of vibrated mice.
Research May Lead to a Drug Free Method for Control of Obesity
The researchers suggest that this animal work may someday lead to a non-invasive, drug-free method for control of obesity. The research collaborations between Stony Brook University and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) demonstrate the successful integration of the significant assets of these institutions in contributing to a vibrant research enterprise that fosters innovation and the discovery, development and ultimate commercialization of biomedical technologies. The relationship between CSHL and SBU allows them to marry the tremendous basic and applied research capabilities of a world class research laboratory with the clinical and translational research capabilities of a major research university and medical center.
A longitudinal (top) and transverse (bottom, at level of dashed line) reconstruction of subcutaneous and epididymal fat content through the torso of a control mouse (left) and one subject to 15 minutes per day of an extremely low-magnitude mechanical signal, performed in vivo at 12 weeks using CT signal parameters specifically sensitive to fat. Following 12w of the low-magnitude mechanical signal, the average amount of fat within the torso was 27% lower than that of age-matched controls.
For more information click here
STAR Center broke ground on Sept 24, 2007
The groundbreaking ceremony for the STAR Center in Biotechnology and Bioengineering took place on Monday, September 24th at 11:30 am. Opening remarks were presented by Dr. Shirley Strum Kenny and Mr. Edward Reinfurt, Acting Executive Director, New York State Foundation for Science Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR). The STAR Center will house the translational research activities of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Center for Biotechnology.
The Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Center for Biotechnology are already revolutionizing how universities participate in the process of commercializing discoveries and translating basic science to the bedside. They have contributed to more than 20 license agreements, the formation of seven new companies, and an economic impact of more than $500 million. The STAR Center will position Stony Brook University as a global leader in high-tech and biotechnology research and provide the physical and intellectual infrastructure necessary to achieve unprecedented breakthroughs in science and technology in New York State.
The new building will stand south of the Social and Behavioral Science building and adjacent to the Life Sciences Building and Center for Molecular Medicine.
September 24, 2007 - L to R: Dr. Yacov Shamash, Dean College of Engineering & Applied Science and VP Economic Development, Stony Brook University; Dr. Richard Fine, Dean, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University; Edward Reinfurt, Acting Executive Director, NYSTAR; Dr. Shirley Strum Kenny, President, Stony Brook University; New York State Senator John Flanagan; Dr. Clinton Rubin, Director, Center for Biotechnology and Professor & Chair, Dept of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University; Diane Fabel, Director of Operations, Center for Biotechnology (CAT); Dr. Lawrence Weber, Director of Business Development, Center for Sensor Systems (CAT) .
New Minor in Nanotechnology
Beginning next semester, a new minor will be available for all SBU
undergraduates. This minor is interdisciplinary, and will strive to
cross the boundaries between undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate
education. The Stony Brook University press release can be viewed here.
The first course for this minor has been approved and is cross-listed
as: BME 113, MEC 113, and EST 113.
The emerging field of nanotechnology develops solutions to engineering
problems by taking advantage of the unique physical and chemical
properties of nanoscale materials. This interdisciplinary, co-taught
course introduces materials and nano-fabrication methods with
applications to electronic, biomedical, mechanical and environmental
engineering. Guest speakers and a semester project involve ethics,
toxicology, economic and business implications of nanotechnology. Basic
concepts in research and design methodology and characterization
techniques will be demonstrated.
For more information about the new Minor in Nanotechnology, contact the
Director of the Undergraduate Program in BME, Dr. Molly Frame.
(mframe@notes.cc.sunysb.edu).
BME student to attend UCLA Advanced Neuroimaging
BME student to attend UCLA Advanced Neuroimaging Summer School
Muhammad Parvaz, a graduate BME student at Stony Brook, is among a very
selected group of participants in the 2007 UCLA Advanced Neuroimaging
Summer School, August 13-24 in Los Angeles. He is one of 36 people
accepted out of more than 170 applicants, based on his previous
research
experience in integrating EEG and fMRI in the study of cocaine
addiction. Muhammad is conducting research at Brookhaven National Lab
under Dr. Rita Goldstein's guidance.
BME Undergraduates Excel in Research
Kerri Keng, a BME undergraduate performing research in Dr. S. Judex’s laboratory, was awarded a Citigroup Fellowship for 2006-2008. This honor is part of a long list of awards for Kerry. Earlier this year, she presented her research at the 2006 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students and was awarded a travel grant to attend the conference in Anaheim in November 2006 with all expenses paid. This is an honor for Kerri who was also selected to participate in the RISE Program this summer and was granted a MARC Fellowship for the academic year 2006-2007.
Ujas Shah, a BME sophomore, received a national BME award for undergraduates selected based on original work submitted to the Annual BMES conference. The award includes full travel, registration and a $400 check. Ujas presented his research entitled "Microtopographical effects of natural scaffolding on cardiomyocyte function". He has been conducting research in Dr. E. Entcheva’s laboratory since high school, and has been involved in promoting BME as a BMES president and departmental webmaster. Among his many accolades are Howard Hughes academic year 2006-2007 fellowship, URECA fellowship and travel grant, Gelfond Leadership award etc.
Mohit Sharma, a BME senior, was awarded this year’s CSEMS fellowship (Computer Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholarship Program). He will receive a $2,500, as part of a program co-sponsored by CEAS and NSF that targets academically excelling students. Mohit conducts research in Dr. E. Entcheva’s laboratory.
Stony Brook University Ranks High in Biotechnology
In September 2006, The Milken Institute published Mind to Market: A Global Analysis of University Biotechnology Transfer and Commercialization, a global economic analysis of university innovation and entrepreneurship and an investigation the commercialization of international university biotechnology research to further the understanding of academic entrepreneurial capitalism.
According to their findings, Rockefeller University has the highest activity in total biotech research. The University of Dundee in Scotland has the second-highest research focus in biotechnology, scoring 85.9 out of 100. The State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook is a very close third, scoring 85.8. Stony Brook University also finished in the top 50 in the University Biotechnology Publication Rankings for 1998-2002 at number 38.
The Milken Institute University Technology Transfer and Commercialization Index for 2000-2004 places the SUNY Research Foundation at number 21, while in the Innovation Pipeline Rankings, SUNY’s Research Foundation finishes in the top 10. With approximately $574 million in total research expenditures, they finish only behind the University of California System, Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, University of Washington/Wash. Research Foundation, University of Illinois, W.A.R.F./University of Wisconsin, University of Michigan US, University of Pennsylvania and Stanford University.
The Milken Institute is an independent economic think tank whose mission is to improve the lives and economic conditions of diverse populations in the U.S. and around the world by helping business and public policy leaders identify and implement innovative ideas for creating broad-based prosperity.
MS/MBA in Biomedical Engineering
The Graduate Council at Stony Brook University has reviewed and approved a proposal for a MS/MBA in Biomedical Engineering. With the development of the life sciences in the region, students interested in entering the field who complete this program will earn a comprehensive understanding of the industry from product development to the operations of starting and running a life sciences company.
BME receives ABET accreditation
The Undergraduate Program in Biomedical Engineering at Stony Brook University has received full ABET accreditation, retroactive to our first graduating class of 2004. This achievement is a wonderful reflection of the high quality education and research opportunities offered by our program, as well as an acknowledgment of the superb quality of our undergraduate students. For more information on our undergraduate program, including our mission statement, program
objectives and outcomes, and our curriculum, click HERE. Among the most respected accreditation organizations in the U.S., ABET has provided leadership and quality assurance in higher education for over 70 years. Our department joins a select list of approximately 40 bioengineering and biomedical engineering programs nationwide who have received accreditation.
High School Student Reaches Intel Finals for his
BME Research
High school student Ron Li conducted tissue engineering research
under the guidance of BME Professor Richard Clark. Ron’s project
was entitled “Engineering a Second Generation Hydrogel Matrix
for the Healing of Chronic Wounds”. His diligent work led
him to the Intel Science Competition Finals, after winning the regional
competitions at MIT. Ron and his BME mentors aimed to develop a
new effective treatment for chronic wounds through creating a second-generation
tissue engineered construct using a hydrogel scaffold and selected
adhesion factors and signaling molecules. Chronic wounds, or ulcers,
affect much of the population and are major health complications
that remain to be solved. Current commercially available products
for wound healing are only around 25% effective.
New awards to faculty from NSF and the Coulter
Foundation
Dr. Emilia Entcheva has received two
new research grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
The first award, funded under Emergent Models and Technologies,
is a collaborative effort with the Computer Science Department,
aiming at the development of generalized hybrid automata modeling
approach for biological applications. The second Bioengineering
award will be used to conduct cutting edge cell and tissue engineering
research. The goal is to engineer a hybrid cellular system (micropatterned
multiple cell types) as an experimental platform for studies of
bioelectricity, and to apply novel imaging technology to capture
fast excitation waves traveling through the engineered tissue equivalents.
Dr. Stefan Judex received one of the
few young investigator awards from the Coulter Foundation to conduct
translational research on maintaining bone structure and mechanical
properties: “Development of a Low-Magnitude and Safe Biophysical
Signal Anabolic to Bone”.
BME Undergraduate Student Accolades
Patrice Thorpe, a BME senior, has recently
won two national awards for her research
in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, mentored by Dr.
Irvin B. Krukenkamp, a BME Program Faculty.
Patrice’s poster “Effects of Heptanol-Cardioplegia
on Cardiac Preconditioning” won first place in the Engineering
& Science category at the Annual Gathering of Science Scholars
National Conference: Access for Underrepresented Students in the
Biological, Engineering, and Physical Sciences on March 10-11, 2005.
This conference celebrates the achievements of underrepresented
students in science and is an opportunity to engage in discovery
and dialogue about access, inclusion, and excellence in academia.
Patrice also won an award in the Quantitative Sciences category
for her work: “Development of an Automated Technique for Determination
of Infarct Size in the Heart”, presented at the Annual Biomedical
Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) in Dallas, TX
in 2004. This is a national conference, designed to encourage students
to pursue advanced training in the biomedical sciences or behavioral
sciences.
Sara Goldgraben, a BME junior, has become
a recipient of the prestigious national Goldwater Scholarship. Sara
has been working in Dr. Molly Frame’s
laboratory for a year as NIH MARC fellow, performing research in
microfluidics and nanofabrication.
The Barry M. Goldwater scholarship is awarded to 300 academically
excelling students nationwide, with special interests in mathematics,
science, and engineering. The award will cover Sara’s education
related expenses for the 2005-2006 academic year. More information
on the award, can be found: http://www.act.org/goldwater/index.html.
Intel Semifinalist Conducted Research With BME
Faculty
Seventeen year old Zach Travis from North Shore High School in
Glen Head is a semi-finalist for the Intel competition. His work
under the supervision of BME professor Stefan Judex discovered that
the skeleton's response to the loss of functional weight bearing
(as experienced during space flight or bed rest) is not necessarily
catabolic in all bones but, with the application of appropriate
mechanical signals, can become anabolic. This work may have a significant
translational impact on the prevention and treatment of bone diseases
such as osteoporosis.
BME Faculty builds a portable device to examine
bone quality for space and Earth-based diagnostic
Yi-Xian Qin, an Associate Professor in BME, is leading the development
of a portable noninvasive imaging tool for detailed examination
of bone and tissue. The project is supported by the National Space
Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI). The device, Scanning Confocal
Acoustic Diagnostic system, or SCAD, uses ultrasound in confocal
regime to provide real-time high resolution images for assessment
of bone structure and properties.
The new technology outputs multiple bone quality parameters for
a region of interest, thereby helping the immediate evaluation of
bone loss and severity of injury. This is essential during long-term
space flights, where microgravity causes fast deterioration of bone
in critical areas. The device is expected to be of great interest
to physicians for Earth-based diagnostics of osteoporosis as well.
Press release by NSBRI: http://www.nsbri.org/NewsPublicOut/Release.epl?r=81
Microchips Killed the Radio Star
BME faculty Emilia
Entcheva and graduate student Harold Bien have proposed a new
microfabrication method for designing structured cellular platforms.
The method, termed "acoustic micromachining" is similar
to the widely employed "Soft lithography" technique, combining
photolithographic production of templates and polymer molding, but
instead it substitutes the photolithography step with a simpler/non-conventional
procedure. The microstructure is encoded by sound-driven stylus,
as in the production of vinyl records. The method was used for designing
and studying heart cell networks on grooved surfaces. The work was
published as a "hot article" in the premier journal for
miniaturization in bioengineering, Lab-on-a-Chip,
and featured by the Royal
Society of Chemistry (RSC).
BME Graduate Students Make Significant Contributions
to the University Annual Achievements Report
The recently published report for Graduate Students Awards and
Achievements for 2003-2004 (available online: http://www.grad.sunysb.edu/Gsa03-04/GSA2004_Front.htm)
reflects the outstanding productivity and research excellence of
BME graduate students. Among the achievements are more than two
dozens national and international awards, grants and fellowships,
an impressive number (32) of authored and co-authored peer-reviewed
journal publications, and a long list of presentations to major
scientific meetings. Since its inception in 2000, the BME department
has been growing rapidly with matching increase in quality of students
and accomplishments, gaining national recognition.
Another NRSA for a BME Graduate Student
Allyson Ianuzzi, a graduate student of
Dr. Partap Khalsa, has won a Pre-Doctoral
National Research Service Award (NRSA) Fellowship (F-31) from the
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
at NIH.
Allyson's score of 111 (where 100 is an ideal or perfect score)
represents the best (lowest) score for a NRSA application that has
ever been given at NCCAM, according to the program officer. Her
fellowship award is expected to be activated in Fall 2004. Allyson
will continue her studies on the etiology of low back pain.
International Fluid Flow Meeting Led by
Stony Brook Faculty
Associate Professor Yi-Xian Qin organized the Sixth International
Bone Fluid Flow Workshop in Seattle, Washington. more»
BME MD/PhD receives prestigious National Research
Service Award (NRSA) from the NIH
BME MD/PhD student, Harold Bien, was
awarded the Individual National Research Service Award (NRSA) from
the NIH - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).
This is the first predoctoral NRSA awarded to Stony Brook University
by the NIEHS. The title of Harold's research is: "Myocardial
response to particulate matter air pollution". Working under
the able mentorship of BME faculty member, Dr.
Emilia Entcheva, Harold will used advanced engineering and
molecular biology tools to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms
by which particulate matter (PM)- triggered release of inflammatory
cytokines affects heart function and leads to increased incidence
of cardiac arrhythmias. The award will provide financial support
of up to $85K over the next 3 years for Harold's stipend, tuition
and other expenses.
BME Chair's research reported in Wall Street Journal
Help Is on the Way For Your Skeleton
Coming Drugs and Treatments For Osteoporosis
Rebuild Bones Instead of Just Slowing Loss
THE INFORMED PATIENT
By LAURA LANDRO
July 15, 2004; Page D1
Doctors and researchers are trying a new approach to the crippling
and painful loss of bone that people, particularly women, experience
as they age: rebuilding bones instead of merely trying to slow their
deterioration.
The new techniques for treating osteoporosis and low bone density
involve everything from vibrating-motion therapy -- an idea being
tested by the Army -- to powerful new drugs that can stimulate new
bone formation. The goal is to manipulate the natural cycle by which
bones destroy and rebuild themselves over a lifetime.
One of these bone-building drugs is on the market, and a second
will be available soon. Drug companies are developing therapies
based on newly discovered genes that aid in bone formation, as well
as creating more powerful and effective versions of existing drugs.
All told, six new osteoporosis drugs will be on the market in the
next four years, and many more are in the pipeline; there are nearly
600 osteoporosis trials listed on recruitment and government Web
sites.
At a recent meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral
Research, researchers presented a slew of new evidence on bone-building
therapies they say will revolutionize the treatment of osteoporosis
and eventually could eliminate it. "For the last 20 years,
we've been trying to hold on to whatever bone people have,"
says Clifford Rosen, director of the Maine Center for Osteoporosis
Research and Education. "Now the paradigm has shifted totally
to say we can rebuild the skeleton and make it like new again."
The new discoveries come at a time when low bone density is an
increasing problem. The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates
that by 2010, more than 52 million women and men will be affected
by osteoporosis and low bone mass. Though women account for 80%
of osteoporosis cases, two million men have the disease. Meanwhile,
a once-popular approach to protecting bones, standard estrogen-replacement
therapy, has fallen out of favor, amid studies showing an increased
risk of breast cancer, heart attack and stroke.
"Paying attention to your skeleton is something no one thinks
about until they are over 60 and get their first fracture, but both
men and women reach peak bone mass at about 30, and that's when
they should be thinking about how fast they are losing bone,"
says Andrew Stewart, chief of endocrinology at the University of
Pittsburgh School of Medicine who discovered one of the bone-building
agents now in clinical trials.
Many of the older drugs on the market -- so-called antiresorptives
such as Merck's Fosomax and Procter & Gamble's Actonel -- work
mainly to slow or stop bone loss by attacking bone-removing cells
called osteoclasts. By contrast, a new class of drugs stimulate
bone-forming cells known as osteoblasts. A number of studies are
under way to test combinations of the two types of drugs.
The first bone-building agent, Eli Lilly's injectable drug Forteo,
approved in 2002, is a synthetic form of parathyroid hormone, or
PTH. Although the body's own PTH actually causes bone loss when
elevated, intermittent injections of PTH have the opposite effect.
Lilly's trials showed that Forteo reduced the risk of moderate or
severe spinal fracture as much as 90% when compared with a placebo.
More than 70% of patients treated with the drug achieved at least
a 5% rise in bone mineral density in the spine, and 44% gained 10%
or more. Lilly says that more than 50,000 people are taking the
drug, and it is in the early stages of developing an oral version.
Joyce Barmak, a social worker in her 50s, began taking Forteo 18
months ago, after treatment with Fosomax failed to stem a worsening
case of osteoporosis. Ms. Barmak's own mother had suffered such
a severe case of osteoporosis that "I knew it could be a death
sentence for me," she says. Though she has yet to receive a
follow-up bone scan, she sustained only an incomplete fracture after
a bad fall at work last year and has since healed.
More bone-building drugs, known as skeletal anabolic agents, are
likely to hit the market in the next few years. NPS Pharmaceuticals
recently completed clinical trials on a second type of PTH known
as Preos and is expected to file for Food and Drug Administration
marketing approval this year. Dr. Stewart and others are conducting
trials on a related hormone, known as PTHrP. Early studies show
it might be even more effective than PTH because it stimulates bone
formation but not bone loss. NPS and GlaxoSmithKline are developing
calcilytics, small molecules that help release the body's own stores
of parathyroid hormone.
Of course, the new anabolic agents are costlier; Forteo, which
must be injected under the skin by patients using a pen-like device,
costs about $560 for a one-month supply, compared with about $70
a month for drugs such as Fosomax. Forteo showed a slight risk of
bone cancer in animal studies and at present, Forteo can be taken
only for two years.
People who want to participate in research can visit ClinicalTrials.gov
for government-funded studies. Drug-company trials are listed on
recruitment sites such as Acurian.com and Centerwatch.com, but it's
important to consult your doctor before considering a trial. Other
useful Web sites include University
of Washington professor Susan Ott's site, the National
Osteoporosis Foundation and the new Powerful
Bones/PowerfulGirls.
Researchers also are pursuing the idea that new exercise regimens
and physical interventions, without drugs, could stimulate bone
growth. Bone gets stronger or weaker depending on functional demands
-- the reason that a professional tennis player has 35% more bone
in the playing arm than the nonplaying arm.
The Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Mass., is testing aerobic
training, strength training and a combination of the two to see
which works best to build bone and prevent stress fractures. "The
goal is to find the right balance between just enough exercise and
too much, and to determine where bone strengthening ends and where
weakening begins," says Maj. Rachel Evans, director of the
Army's bone-research program.
Army recruits also are testing a less rigorous workout: standing
on a vibrating metal plate for 15 minutes daily to test how well
high-frequency, low-magnitude vibrations boost bone mass in the
legs. Tests on animals showed significant increases in muscle mass,
and two recently published studies on postmenopausal women and on
children with cerebral palsy also showed improvement. NASA is testing
the device on astronauts.
Juvent Inc., a medical-device company, will market the motion-therapy
device in Europe this year and is preparing a clinical study in
the U.S. The idea is for doctors to be able to prescribe the device,
which is expected to cost about $2,000, says the developer, Clinton
Rubin, chairman of the biomedical-engineering department
at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. (Some commercially
available machines offer to vibrate the body for strength, but they
may be dangerous if they vibrate fast enough to damage bone, muscle
and cartilage.)
"This provides some control for a devastating disease without
worrying about the long-term effects of medication," he says.
Award for a recent BME PhD graduate
Erik Mittra, a recent PhD graduate in
Biomedical Engineering (2004) has been selected by the Graduate
Council Fellowships and Awards Committee to receive a Graduate Council
Commendation to Distinguished Doctoral Students.
Erik finished his PhD under Yi-Xian Qin's
guidance and is currently back to finish up his MD degree.
High School Students Recognized for BME Research
This year's International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) was
held in Portland, Oregon. Over 1300 student finalists came from
40 countries to compete. Their projects ranged from abstract mathematics,
to engineering and medicine. The SUNY Stony Brook department of
Biomedical Engineering was proud to sponsor the research of two
students, Eric Mansfield and Ezra
Katz, who were selected to attend this prestigious event.
At the event they presented their research, which was conducted
under the direction of Dr. Richard Clark,
Dr. Miriam Rafailovich and Kaustabh
Ghosh. Their work was awarded third prize and they received
$1000 to share between themselves. Daniel Choi
presented his project, conducted under the direction of Dr.
Anil Dhundale (BME and Center for Biotechnology) and Ms.
Melissa Monaghan (Center for Biotechnology.) Daniel was awarded
second prize in the Microbiology category and received $1500.
BME Students Receive Award Recognition for Excellence
in Research
A record number (10) of BME students have been recognized by awards
from Sigma Xi for their dedication to research.
This reflects the outstanding performance of the BME department,
which managed to enter the top performance charts (recent US News
& World Report) during its very short existence.
Sigma Xi is an international research society, whose programs
and activities promote the health of the scientific enterprise and
honor scientific achievement. Our students received Excellence in
Research (ER) awards with one year of free membership to the Society;
Travel Awards (TA) to share their research findings, and Grants-in-Aid
(GA) to perform small independent studies.
Khalsa’s lab scored a hat trick (triple score, for those
unfamiliar with the soccer lingua) with Jesse
Little (ER, TA, GA), Allyson Ianuzzi
(ER, TA) and Azeema Amerally (ER). Other
students honored by Sigma Xi
include: Russell Garman (TA; Judex lab),
David Komatsu (ER, Hadjiargyrou lab),
Erik Mittra (ER, TA; Qin lab), David
Rubinstein (ER; Bluestein lab), Maria
Squire (ER; Judex lab), Lihong Yin
(GA; Entcheva lab), and Wei Yin (ER; Bluestein
lab).
Recognition of BME graduate students at international research
forums also includes 1st place of graduate paper award at the IEEE
Northeast Biomedical Engineering Conference for Erik
Mittra (Qin lab), and a Travel award for Harold
Bien (Entcheva lab) by the Institute for Scientific Studies
in Cargese, France for participation in an International Meeting
on Waves and Oscillations in Excitable Cells.
Undergraduate BME research achievements rival those of our graduate
students. David Rubinstein (Bluestein
lab) was the lead author on a paper, published in the highly respected
journal Circulation: Rubenstein D Jesty J, Bluestein D, “Differences
between mainstream and sidestream cigarette smoke extracts and nicotine
in the activation of platelets under static and flow conditions”,
Circulation 109(1):78-83, 2004. David is the co-author
of two other publications in press. He was named recently Barry
Goldwater Scholar - one of 300 nationally recognized undergraduates
in mathematics, science, and engineering.
Two other undergraduate BME students, Ben Adler
(Judex lab) and Melissa Farrell (Entcheva
lab) were recognized at Stony Brook University ceremony for Undergraduate
Research Excellence. Anita Cheruvanky
(Hadjiargyrou lab) joins this group with recently received Howard
Hughes Medical Institute Undergraduate Research Fellowship and Undergraduate
Research and Creative Activity (URECA) Fellowship.
BME Faculty receive funding from NASA for the
Development of New Diagnostic Device for Assessing Bone Quality
in Space and on Earth
A team in Stony Brook, Dr. Yi-Xian Qin
(Principal Investigator, Biomedical Engineering), Dr.
Clinton Rubin (BME) and Dr. Barry Gruber
(Medicine), has recently received continuing funding from the National
Space Biomedical Research Institute, a consortium of NASA, to further
develop a noninvasive ultrasound scanning diagnostic system for
bone quality. This work will help to refine a non-invasive diagnostic
for bone loss, and may potentiate the development of a flight instrument
for the precise determination of bone quality during extended space
missions.
The bone loss which parallels extended space missions represent
serious threat to astronaut health, both during flight and on return
to gravitational fields. Early diagnosis of osteoporosis would enable
prompt treatment and thus dramatically reduce the risk of fracture.
Currently, the principal method used to diagnose osteoporosis is
dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), which provides a 2-D representation
of bone mineral density (BMD), but not bone's physical properties
per se. Recent advances in quantitative ultrasound have enabled
a true characterization of bone quality, including both BMD and
mechanical strength.
Musculoskeletal disorders, i.e., osteoporosis and the delayed healing
of fractures, are becoming a major societal problem. Approximately
a total of 25 million people suffer from osteoporosis in the United
States alone, with an estimated annual direct cost of over $18 billion
to national health programs. Such diseases are the leading cause
of bone fractures and impact of the quality of life in elderly populations
for both men and women. However, early diagnosis of such skeletal
disorders can lead to prompt treatment that will dramatically reduce
the risk of complications. Development of a low mass, compact, noninvasive
diagnostic tool, i.e., using image based quantitative ultrasound
technology for bone quality, will have a great impact as an early
diagnostic to prevent bone fracture. This research will focus on
developing a scanning acoustic diagnostic system not only for ground-based
determination of bone's physical properties, but also for determining
even subtle changes of bone during extended space mission.
BME Department produces one of 40 Finalists in
the prestigious 2004 Intel Science Talent Search from a group of
300 semi-finalists nation-wide.
Daniel Choi, a Syosset High School student , was a finalist selected
from a group of 300 semi-finalists and a record 1652 applicants
for the prestigious 2004 Intel Science Talent Search competition.
He is among the top 40 finalists who will compete for college scholarships
totaling more than $500,000. Daniel worked on his research project,
DNA Microarray Analysis of Shewanella Oneidensis Grown for Fuel
Cell Use, under the guidance of Dr. Anil Dhundale, Assistant Professor,
Biomedical Engineering and the Center for Biotechnology and Ms.
Melissa Monaghan, the Center for Biotechnology.
The Intel STS, America's oldest and most prestigious pre-college
science competition - often considered the "junior Nobel Prize"
- provides an incentive for students to develop their scientific
interests at an early age and a forum for them to share their ideas
with other talented young scientists around the country. The top
300 entrants and their schools received $1,000.
From the 300 semifinalists, 40 finalists were announced on Jan.
28. Dan Choi was among 6 students from Long Island. These students
will take an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to attend
the Science Talent Institute where they will participate in final
judging and compete for college scholarships totaling more than
$500,000. The grand prize is a $100,000 scolarship. . The second-place
finalist receives a $75,000 scholarship, and the third-place finalist
receives a $50,000 scholarship. Fourth- through sixth-place finalists
each receive a $25,000 scholarship, and seventh- through 10th-place
finalists each will receive a $20,000 scholarship. The remaining
30 finalists will each receive a $5,000 scholarship award, and all
students attending the week-long competition receive an Intel®
CentrinoTM mobile technology-based notebook computer. The winners
will be selected based on rigorous judging sessions and announced
at a black-tie banquet on March 16 in Washington DC.
For more information, please visit the Intel STS website.
Biomedical Engineers Gain Recognition, Jobs
Victor Godinez; Melinda Surbaugh, The Dallas Morning
News
Biomedical engineers do some of the most intriguing research in
the medical field.
"Mapping the human genome, building bionic body parts, nanotechnology,
tissue engineering - those are the things that I think most of the
public can relate to," said Patricia Horner, the executive
director of the Biomedical Engineering Society.
The glamorous work and good pay - new graduates earn almost $50,000
- reflect an industry hungry for workers.
According to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, the number of
job openings in the biomedical engineering field is expected to
grow a whopping 31.4 percent through 2010.
Brenda Caruthers, the director of public relations and communications
for DeVry University's Dallas campus, said the school launched a
bachelor's degree program in biomedical engineering and technology,
or BMET, this fall.
When DeVry purchased medical and veterinary trade schools, it learned
firsthand the need for qualified BMET professionals, Ms. Caruthers
said.
"The program evolved from there," she said. "DeVry
is good at doing the homework - we want our students to be employed
- so we designed a program to meet the needs of students and employers."
She said a marketing study of area employers showed a high demand
for employees trained in BMET.
Dallas is the third campus in the United States offering a BMET
program.
The degree offers students a foundation-level understanding of
biological processes and skills in engineering software and hardware
for solving problems in biology and medicine.
Biomedical engineers work with physicians, therapists and technicians
in the design, construction, implementation and maintenance of equipment
and medical and manufacturing facilities.
This need exists at inpatient and rehabilitation hospitals and
clinics, biotech companies, government agencies and universities.
It is also needed in sales, marketing and other areas of the medical
and manufacturing industry.
Ms. Horner said pharmaceutical companies traditionally relied on
chemists to develop drugs and treatments but have become big employers
of biomedical engineers as well.
Caption: MEI-CHUN JAU/DALLAS MORNING NEWS Robert Olivares (left)
and Jonathan Gibbs work in the electronics laboratory at DeVry University
in Irving, Texas.
© 2004 Dow Jones Reuters Business Interactive LLC (trading
as Factiva). All rights reserved.
BME Department produces 4 Semi-Finalists in the
prestigious 2004 Intel Science Talent Search from a record 1652
applicants nation-wide
Jonathan Birnbaum, Daniel Choi, Samuel John and Xiaojing (Sunny)
Tang were four semi-finalists selected from a record 1652 applicants
for the prestigious 2004 Intel Science Talent Search competition.
They are among the top 300 semi-finalists who will compete for college
scholarships totaling more than $500,000. These high schools students
worked on research projects under the guidance of BME faculty.
The Intel STS, America's oldest and most prestigious pre-college
science competition - often considered the "junior Nobel Prize"
- provides an incentive for students to develop their scientific
interests at an early age and a forum for them to share their ideas
with other talented young scientists around the country. The top
300 entrants and their schools will each receive $1,000.
From the 300 semifinalists, 40 finalists will be announced on Jan.
28. These students will take an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington,
D.C. to attend the Science Talent Institute where they will participate
in final judging and compete for college scholarships totaling more
than $500,000. The winners will be selected based on rigorous judging
sessions and announced at a black-tie banquet on March 16.
For more information, please visit the Intel
STS website.
2004 Intel Semi-finalists
Jonathan Birnbaum
John L Miller-Great Neck North HS, Great Neck
A Comparison of Flow Through Monoleaflet and Bileaflet Mechanical
Heart Valves Utilizing in vitro Digital Particle Imaging Velocimetry
and Computational Fluid Dynamics
Dr. Danny Bluestein, Biomedical Engineering
Daniel Choi
Syosset HS, Syosset
DNA Microarray Analysis of Shewanella oneidensis Grown for Fuel
Cell Use
Dr. Anil Dhundale, Biomedical Engineering
Samuel John
Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy HS, Plainview
Differential Effects of Blockade of GABAA Receptors on Inspiratory
Phase Fast Oscillatory Rhythms
Dr. Ki Chon, Biomedical Engineering
Xiaojing (Sunny) Tang
Ward Melville HS, E. Setauket
Development of a Novel Ibuprofen Film for the Prevention of
Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation
Dr. Glenn Gaudette, Biomedical Engineering
Two new BME Faculty Members Awarded Young Investigator
Grants from The Whitaker Foundation
The Whitaker Foundation has been instrumental in establishing and
promoting the field of Biomedical Engineering in North America.
In the final competition for Young Investigator Research Grants
in the Summer of 2003 two Stony Brook BME faculty received support
for their research over the next 3 years. Full list of the projects
selected from over 300 submissions can be found here:
http://www.whitaker.org/news/rgprogramlist.html
Dr. Emilia Entcheva received $231,374 for her work “Electromechanical
performance of engineered cardiac syncytium on complex surfaces”.
Dr. Entcheva’s laboratory focuses on cardiac tissue engineering,
cardiac cellular electromechanics and the development of advanced
fluorescence techniques to study excitable cell behavior.
http://www.bme.sunysb.edu/people/eentcheva/
Dr. Stefan Judex received $225,028 for a project entitled “Dependency
of skeletal plasticity of genetic and epigenetic factors”.
Dr. Judex’s research combines molecular with biomedical engineering
approaches to study the response of the skeleton to mechanical stimuli.
http://www.bme.sunysb.edu/bme/people/faculty/s_judex.html
Dr. Clinton T. Rubin receives national award for
research focusing on musculoskeletal disease
Clinton T. Rubin, PhD., Director of the Center for Biotechnology
at Stony Brook University, has been awarded the Elizabeth Winston
Lanier Kappa Delta Award by the American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons (AAOS), one of the highest honors given by the national
organization. Dr. Rubin was cited for his leading research on musculoskeletal
illness brought on by a weakening of the bones. The award was presented
in February 2003 at the AAOS annual conference in New Orleans.
Dr. Rubin, who also is Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering,
is one of the nation’s foremost researchers whose work focuses
on osteoporosis. He was honored for his study “Revisiting
Wolff’s Law: The Physiologic Basis and Anabolic Potential
of Low Magnitude High Frequency Mechanical Signals.” Wolff’s
Law refers the century old premise of the skeleton’s ability
to adapt to changes in functional loading through the bone’s
ability to adjust its mass. Not only is this evident in the 30%
more bone density in the playing arm over the non-playing arm of
professional tennis players, but in the osteoporosis which astronauts
suffer during extended missions in space.
BME-Stony Brook at the Summer Bioengineering ‘
2003, Key Biscayne, FL
The Summer Bioengineering conference is a strong biomechanics-focused
international event, taking place every other year. This year the
meeting was in Sonesta Beach, southern Florida, from June 25-29th
2003.
Allyson Ianuzzi, M.S.’2003 from Stony Brook won the 1st place
in the Masters Poster competition (Soft Tissue Biomechanics). Her
work “Facet Joint Capsule Strains of Human Lumbar Spine Specimen
During Physiology Motions” was performed under Partap Khalsa’s
guidance and was co-authored by Jesse Little, Jonathan Chiu, Avi
Bainter, Greg Kawchuk, and Partap Khalsa. Allyson will be continuing
her education as a Ph.D. student at Columbia University next Fall.
Stony Brook had also excellent representation at the meeting beyond
the scientific sessions. Danny Bluestein, a BME Associate Professor
and a rock star on the side, took over the stage in a well-attended
jam session, together with fellow musicians/scientists seen below:
unknown local talent, Danny Bluestein- Stony Brook, Ross C. Ethier-
Toronto, Jimmy Moore- Texas A&M, Alan Eberhardt- Alabama, Clark
Hung- Columbia, Mike Moreno- Texas A&M.
BME Student Wins Prestigious NASA Fellowship
Maria Squire, a graduate student in the Department of Biomedical
Engineering has received a NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program
(GSRP) fellowship. This award is renewable for three years and totals
$24,000 per year. Maria competed against fierce nationwide competition
and impressed the reviewers with past accomplishments and her research
proposal "Identification of Chromosomal Regions Responsible
for Loss of Bone Strength in Hindlimb Unloading". In this proposal,
Maria hypothesizes that the variability in the loss of bone strength
observed in astronauts is related to genetic variations, a hypothesis
that will be tested in a tightly controlled mouse model of space
flight. Maria is doing her research under the supervision of BME
faculty, Dr. Stefan Judex.
BME faculty wins prestigious Established Investigator
Award (EIA) of the American Heart Association
Dr. Bluestein was recently awarded (January 1st, 2003) the prestigious
Established Investigator Award (EIA) of the American Heart Association.
This award is intended for projects of excellent scientific merit,
for supporting the research of mid-term investigators with unusual
promise who have demonstrated a commitment to the cardiovascular
or cerebrovascular science area as indicated by prior publication
history and accomplishments.
The EIA is a 5-year, $500,000 award. The award is very competitive
(the payline percentile rank for applications to the Established
Investigator Award program this year was 8.04%), and is given once
a year. Dr. Bluestein's research project is entitled Hemodynamic
Platelet Activation and Thromboembolism in Prosthetic Cardiovascular
Devices.
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2230
BME Undergraduates Recognized for Research Excellence
David Rubinstein: In the March 12th
2003 issue of Happenings (the Stony Brook Newsletter) an article
highlights an undergraduate research project by David Rubenstein,
a junior BME student. The title of the article, Smokin’ Research
by Undergraduate David Rubenstein, describes his research project
that was chosen out of the many undergraduate research projects
that will be presented at the upcoming Celebration of Undergraduate
Achievement event on April 9.
David has been working with Drs. D. Bluestein and J. Jesty on elucidating
the effects of secondhand smoke on cardiovascular disease risk.
He has constructed an experimental system to show how mainstream
(smoker-inhaled) and side stream (secondhand smoke) affects platelet
activation, and ultimately may lead to thrombus formation, occluding
arteries. Dave has been remarkably productive, recently submitting
a full manuscript as a first author to Circulation (a premiere cardiovascular
research journal).
Melissa Farrell: Melissa has been named
a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer Research Scholar. The Howard
Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is a major source of support for
cutting-edge biomedical research nationwide. Melissa received this
prestigious award for a project entitled Optical Monitoring of Oxygen
in Engineered Cardiac Tissue, intended to develop novel oxygen-sensing
scaffolding and a non-invasive measurement technique applicable
for tissue engineering. Melissa has been diligently working on the
project together with a fellow undergraduate BME student Hui-Jing
Yu over the last several months in Dr. Emilia Entcheva’s laboratory.
Evren Azeloglu: A recent Stony Brook
undergraduate and current BME graduate student, Evren Azeloglu,
was also a recipient of an HHMI Fellowship. Evren is working with
Dr. Glenn Gaudette on High-density Mechanical Mapping of the Heart.
Melissa and Evren received their awards from President Shirley Strum
Kenny at the Ninth Annual HHMI Ceremony on April 23. 2003.
Edna Choi: Edna is the recipient of the
Undergraduate Achievement Award and was recently honored at the
21st Annual Undergraduate Recognition Awards Ceremony on April 21.
2003. This award is well deserved and recognizes Edna’s very
productive work in Dr. Stefan Judex’s laboratory.
BME student receives grant from National Collegiate
Inventors and Innovators Alliance
Robert Szema, a MD/PhD student in the department of Biomedical
Engineering and SUNY Stony Brook school of medicine was awarded
a $17,100 grant through a student competition administered by the
National Collegiate
Inventors and Innovators Alliance. Robert will be working with
Associate Professor Jahangir on the project entitled "A Microfabricated
Compound Eye for Intravascular Optical Detection".
Abstract: A novel device has been designed
for the detection of incident radiant energy. Modeled after the
compound eye frequently found in insects, this biomimetic system
has the capability of generating a high- resolution mosaic from
the simultaneous detection of light from many sources. The particular
application presented here is for the improvement of angioscopy,
the imaging of blood vessel walls by use of a fiber optic scope.
Angioscopy has enabled physicians to better understand the pathological
mechanisms of atherosclerotic disease, to evaluate failing vein
bypass grafts, and to assess angioplasty effectiveness. Each year,
1.5 million intravascular procedures are performed, and endoscopic
purchases total $650 million with an annual growth rate of 6-7%.
However, current angioscopy catheters are unable to provide quantitative
details, often making their use secondary to angiography, a simpler
technique. By projecting images from several polymer waveguides
onto a photodiode array, the proposed device calculates distance
and measurements from multiple perspectives. This improvement would
make angioscopy a much more viable alternative to existing technologies.
The innovative features are the small size, fabrication method,
ability to provide quantitative dimensions, and application to intravascular
imaging. This project involves the fabrication, characterization,
and optimization of the device.
"The NCIIA is
an initiative of The Lemelson Foundation, a private philantrhopy
established by Jerome Lemelson and his family. The program was founded
on the premise that invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship
are essential components of the higher education curriculum and
vital to the nation's economic future."
David A. Rubenstein, BME undergraduate awarded
prestigious 2003 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship.
 David
Rubenstein is one of 300 Goldwater Scholars selected on the basis
of academic merit from a field of 1,093 mathematics, science, and
engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of colleges
and universities nationwide. Goldwater Scholars have very impressive
academic qualifications that have garnered the attention of prestigious
post-graduate fellowship programs. The one and two year scholarships
will cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board
up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.
David Rubenstein is working with Jolyon Jesty; Ph.D., Danny Bluestein;
Ph.D. from the Department of Biomedical Engineering (D.R., D.B.)
and the Division of Hematology, School of Medicine (J.J.), Stony
Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA on a project entitled
"Differences between mainstream and sidestream cigarette smoke extracts
and nicotine in the activation of platelets under static and flow
conditions".
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education
Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry
M. Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and
statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The
purpose of the Foundation is to provide a continuing source of highly
qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding
scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in
these fields. For more information on the award, please visit http://www.act.org/goldwater/index.html.
Stony Brook Professor Receives $764,073 Grant
from NASA to Help Identify those at Risk for Bone Loss in Space
Dr. Stefan Judex’s Research May Aid in Solving
Problem During Manned Flight
STONY BROOK, N.Y., January 27, 2003—Stefan Judex, Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering
at Stony Brook University, has received a three-year award totaling
$764,073 by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Dr. Judex’s award, entitled, “The Genetic Basis of the
Loss of Musculo-Skeletal Tissue during Weightlessness: Towards the
Identification of Individuals that are at Greatest Risk.”
This research project is aimed at localizing specific regions on
chromosomes that predispose individuals to excessive loss of bone
or muscle mass during long term space flight.
A principal physiologic hurdle to man's extended presence in space
is the loss of bone and muscle under reduced gravity conditions.
The magnitude and rate of bone and muscle loss in astronauts is
staggering, severely jeopardizing their health and well being upon
their return to Earth. “NASA is committed to selecting research
that will help to solve problems human face in space flight. We
look forward to working with Dr. Judex to help NASA achieve this
goal,” states Guy Fogleman, Ph.D, Acting Director, Bioastronautics
Research Division.
Similar to the loss of bone that astronauts face during space travel,
this osteoporosis can also occur during bedrest and immobilization
on Earth, and varies greatly between individuals. This variability
may be accounted for, at least to a large extent, by genetic variations.
“This award will be fundamental in advancing Dr. Judex’s
research in identifying the role genetics play in bone loss, and
which is a key etiologic factor in the osteoporosis that haunts
millions of Americans. Further, I believe this award represents
a firm indication of the cutting edge research that our Department
and Stony Brook University are pioneering in areas of space science”,
states Dr. Clinton T. Rubin, Professor and Chair, Department of
Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University.
Dr. Judex’s grant proposal received favorable scientific
review and NASA evaluation from NASA’s Bioastronautics Research
Division (BSD) through a competitive review process. The BSD at
NASA’s Johnson Space Center aims to be a world leader in understanding
the space frontier and the opportunities, capabilities and limitations
of humans living and working on that frontier.
BME Faculty Only One of 10 to Receive $200,000
Grant for Biotech Research
Glenn R. Gaudette Cited by Ne w York State as One
of Leading Young Scientists more
A Stony Brook University researcher was one of ten scientists named
today to receive $200,000 grants designed support outstanding scientists
and engineers who early in their careers show potential for leadership
and discovery in the field of biotechnology. The announcement was
made by Governor George E. Pataki and Senate Majority Leader Joseph
L. Bruno.
Glenn R. Gaudette, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor in the Department
of Biomedical Engineering, was cited for his work in developing
functional blood vessels. Gaudette joined researchers from institutions
such as Columbia University, Cornell University, Cold Spring Harbor
Laboratory, and New York University in receiving grants. He was
one of only two researchers from institutions within the State University
of New York to be a grant award recipient.
"This support for our finest young biotechnology scientists
and engineers will help to further secure New York's role as an
international leader in high-tech and biotechnology research and
economic development," Governor Pataki said. "These grants
will support the world-class research being performed by some of
the best young minds at New York's colleges and universities."
Senate Majority Leader Bruno said, "New York State, through
the Gen*NY*sis biotechnology economic development program, is making
an historic capital investment in research facilities, equipment
and laboratories, but you've got to have bright minds to work in
them. The James D. Watson program will help us attract the brightest
young people in the nation to conduct life sciences research, make
groundbreaking discoveries and spark new businesses and jobs."
The James D. Watson Investigator initiative is part of the $225
million Generating Employment through New York State Science (Gen*NY*sis)
program, which was created to maximize the potential of the world-class
life sciences research being conducted at New York's public, not-for-profit
and private academic research institutions. The program complements
New York's comprehensive efforts to make the Empire State an international
leader in high-tech and biotechnology-related research and economic
development.
Russell W. Bessette, M.D., Executive Director of the New York State
Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR), said,
"These groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind awards, will encourage
these early career biotechnology scientists to stay and conduct
their critically important research here in New York State. In doing
so, these scientists will be positioned to make the important advancements
in biotechnology that will lead to the State's future economic growth."
NYSTAR was provided $2 million for the establishment of the early
career program. Ten grants, totaling $200,000 per grant, are being
given to promising early career scientists at academic, public and
not-for-profit private research institutions in New York State.
Each grant will be awarded for a two-year time period.
Grants from the James D. Watson Investigator Program are being
made to scientists who are performing their research in the life
sciences, biomedical sciences or in other life science-enabling
disciplines such as engineering, material science, chemistry, computer
science, electronics, physics, bioinformatics, nanotechnologies
and applications of microelectronics and micro-electromechanical
devices.
In addition to Dr. Gaudette, the other researchers awarded $200,000
grants were Carl Boehlert, Alfred University; Colin Nuckolls, Columbia
University; Gilbert Henry, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; Tyler
McQuade, Cornell University; Bruce Herron, Health Research Inc./Wadsworth
Center; Paramjit Arora, New York University; C. Erec Stebbins, Rockefeller
University; Richard Cheng, SUNY Buffalo; and Todd Krauss, University
of Rochester.
Candidates for a grant from this program must have been awarded
a doctoral degree and have less than five-years experience since
being awarded their doctoral degree. Only one award could be made
per institution. A 10-member independent peer review panel comprised
of life science and enabling sciences experts reviewed 17 applications.
The applicants funded were chosen based on the best science and
the best likelihood of economic success.
Governor Pataki and the Legislature have advanced several major
initiatives to expand high technology and biotechnology business
and job-creation opportunities in New York, including the Governor's
innovative Centers of Excellence plan. Since 1995, the State has
fostered the growth of New York's high-tech and biotech industries
by supporting the investment of more than $1 billion in the State's
technology business sector and its world-class research laboratories
and academic centers.
More Stony Brook BME Awards for Students &
Faculty
- J. D. Watson Young Investigator Award to New Faculty:
Dr. Glenn Gaudette, our most recent faculty hire, has been awarded
one of New York State's James D. Watson Young Investigator grants.
These grants are designed to recognize and support outstanding
scientists and engineers who, early in their careers, show potential
for leadership and scientific discovery in the field of biotechnology.
The intent is to maximize the potential of the world-class life
sciences research being conducted at New York's public, not-for-profit
and private academic research institutions.
- BMES/EMBS Annual Conference ‘2002 – A Stony Brook
Gala:
- Best Student Paper Award:
Harold Bien, and MD/PhD student working w/ BME faculty member
Emilia Entcheva, won the best student paper of the meeting
award. Harold was chosen out of ten regional finalists, which
included Europe, Asia and South America... and it was based
on the originality and rigor of his work, as well as his presentation.
- “Fleetest Feet” Award + 18 Travel Awards:
Our graduate students won the "fleetest feet" award,
which is given to the Department with the highest combined
product of (# of students) x (mileage traveled). Having the
meeting in Houston helped, but having TWENTY students show
up is pretty remarkable, 18 with travel fellowships competitively
awarded by the Coulter Foundation.
- Stony Brook BMES Chapter Award:
Our new BMES student society, run by Jonathan Chiu, won an
honorable mention in competition with all other US BMES university
societies, as based on programs run. USB's BMES society has
everything from hospital to the pediatric ward, to guest lectures
on bioscience in industry.
BME Graduate Student Receives Two Prestigious
Awards
Harold Bien, an M.D./Ph.D. student in Biomedical Engineering has
recently received two prestigious awards. Harold became the regional
finalist (for the Northeastern United States) in this year's Student
Paper Competition, sponsored by IEEE Engineering in Medicine and
Biology Society. He will present his work at the Annual BMES/EMBS
conference in Houston, TX, competing for the big prize. The paper
is entitled "Cardiac Cell Networks on Elastic Microgrooved
Scaffolds" by Bien H, Yin L and Entcheva E.
Earlier this year, Harold was also awarded a seed grant from the
American Medical Association to study the mechanism of action of
a commonly used anti-arrhythmic drug, amiodarone, on human atrial
cells.
Harold is doing research in Dr. Emilia Entcheva's laboratory.
BME Faculty receives Promising Young Scientist
award by the International Society of Biomechanics
Stefan Judex, Ph.D Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical
Engineering at Stony Brook University has been awarded the Promising
Young Scientist award by the International Society of Biomechanics
(ISB). Every two years at the ISB World Congress, the Society recognizes
scientific achievement and honors those who have made outstanding
contributions to the field of Biomechanics. The Promising Young
Scientist award is designed to acknowledge people who have performed
superior biomechanics research early in their career. The World
Congress is the premier event in biomechanics and is the official
congress of the World Council for Biomechanics.
Stefan Judex's research focuses on how organ systems, such as the
skeleton, respond to altered functional demand such as changes in
physical activity. Specifically, he has been interested in combining
molecular and genetic analyses with engineering approaches to study
the response of bone to physical stimuli from the organ to the nucleus.
The ability of tissues to respond to exercise with an increase in
mass and strength has been recognized long ago, yet the mechanisms
by which bones senses these stimuli are unknown. This incomplete
understanding is crippling our efforts to use exercise interventions
as prophylactic and therapeutic means against bone pathologies including
osteoporosis.
Improving this understanding of how mechanical signals are translated
into a biological response will require the rigorous integration
of engineering with biology, ultimately leading to the design of
safe physical interventions that will maximize tissue strength in
young adults and prevent the loss of tissue mass and strength in
the elderly. Additionally, the discovery of genes involved in regulating
the organ and tissue response to mechanical stimuli may facilitate
the development of novel drugs that, unlike currently FDA approved
drugs, will be capable of not only slowing bone loss but also promoting
bone formation.
Stefan Judex will receive his award at the 2002 World Congress of
Biomechanics in Calgary on August 9th, 2002. Stefan is also the
2001 winner of the Young Investigator Award from the American Society
for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) and the 2001 John Haddad Young
Investigator Award from the Advances in Mineral Metabolism (AIMM)
Society and ASBMR.
BME faculty honored by SUNY Chancellor for Outstanding
Research Contribution
Dr. Yi-Xian Qin was one of nineteen Stony Brook University scientists
from the 64 SUNY faculty members honored by Chancellor Robert L.
King at a ceremony on May 20, 2002 at State University Plaza in
Albany. The SUNY inventors were honored in four categories: Outstanding
Inventor, Entrepreneur, First Time Patent and First Time Invention
Disclosure.
Yi-Xian Qin, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor in the Department of
Biomedical Engineering at Stony Brook was honored in the First Time
Invention Disclosure category. Dr. Qin’s invention “Scanning
Confocal Acoustic Diagnostic for Bone Quality” (SCAD) provides
patients being monitored for osteoporosis with a very good bargain
-- no high-energy radiation and a true index of bone strength.
Following the invention disclosure in 2001, a new company AcousticScan,
Inc., was formed based on Dr. Qin’s platform technology. AcousticScan,
Inc., is focused on developing a Scanning Confocal Acoustic Diagnostic
(SCAD) that will be capable of detecting bone quantity and quality
using proprietary ultrasonic attenuation and velocity scanning instrumentation
and algorithms. The principal advantage of the Company’s proprietary
ultrasound technique is that it can accurately, precisely and repeatedly
quantify both bone density (quantity), as well as the physical properties
of the bone (quality). The Company believes this technology may
become a unique diagnostic strategy for the prediction of skeletal
complications and the detection of early-stage osteoporosis. Initially,
the SCAD System will be marketed as a diagnostic and time-course
monitoring tool capable of user-friendly, expedited screening of
patients by primary care physicians.
Adjunct faculty members Arie E. Kaufman, Ph.D., Jerome Z. Liang,
Ph.D. also received recognition in the Entrepreneur category. They
demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit that enabled them to move their
inventions from the research laboratory to wide-scale use.
Dr. Kaufman, Dr. Liang, and Mark R. Wax, M.D. developed medical
imaging technology for visualization and virtual examination of
internal organs. Their invention led to the founding of Viatronix,
Inc., a company that developed a commercial device for the delivery
of virtual colonoscopy. Virtual colonoscopy is a new, safe, fast,
cost-effective, and comfortable colon-screening procedure that is
expected to become more commonly used than the conventional fiberoptic
colonoscopy. Projections for sales and employment are very aggressive.
The device is being extended to other virtual examinations on the
heart, lungs, and cardiovascular system.
All inventors’ work significantly contributed to the State
University of New York being ranked in the Top 10 of U.S. institutions
in patents issued each year and in the Top 15 for royalties earned
on inventions by research universities, according to a list compiled
by the Association of University Technology Managers and printed
in IP Worldwide magazine).
“Faculty at the State University of New York conduct some of
the most sophisticated and complex research in the world, research
that improves our quality of life and often times saves lives, ”
said King. “To a growing extent, the scientific and technical
developments emanating from that research are being translated into
new American products, markets and jobs.”
“I am extremely proud to be the Chancellor for these outstanding
faculty members whose hard work and determination is taking SUNY
to the front ranks of research universities in the United States,”
said King.
BME Jobs to Climb 31.4 Percent, According to Labor
Department
The number of biomedical engineering jobs will increase by 31.4
percent through 2010—double the rate for all other jobs combined,
according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Read the complete story
on the Whitaker Foundation website.
Research Technician Position Open
Research
Technician II
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Stony Brook University
Required Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a scientific
or engineering discipline plus one year experience with basic laboratory
techniques (e.g., exposure to histomorphometry techniques) or an
Associates degree plus three years experience with basic laboratory
techniques.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience with histology and tissue sectioning,
preferably bone and soft tissues, including staining and microimaging.
Some work with immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization is
also desired. Experience in computational analysis of histomorphometric
measurements is also preferred.
Brief Description of Duties: This position will focus on
quantifying bone responses to pharmacologic or biomedical signals.
Responsibilities include methacrylate (plastic) embedding and cutting
of undecalcified specimens, as well as quantifying dynamic and static
parameters of the bony response, (e.g. mineral apposition rate,
osteoid seam width, etc) and sectioning of both frozen as well as
paraffin embedded tissues. Soft tissue histology includes tissue
harvesting, preprocess, paraffin embedding, sectioning, staining,
and analyzing. This position will also involve some duty of lab
managing.
Special Notes: This is a full time position, 37.5 hours
per week, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Research
Foundation of SUNY is a private educational corporation. Employment
is subject to the Research Foundation policies and procedures, sponsor
guidelines and the availability of funding. Internal and external
search to occur simultaneously. This is a FLSA non-exempt level
position, that is, eligible for overtime monies.
Salary: $22,700-$30,850
Application Procedure: Those interested in this position
should submit a Research
Foundation application to:
Dr. Yi-Xian Quin
Search Committee Chair
Psychology A, 3rd Floor
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY 11794-2580
Deadline for Application: September 6, 2002
THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF SUNY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE
ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
IF YOU NEED A DISABILITY-RELATED ACCOMMODATION,
PLEASE CALL THE HUMAN RESOURCE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT (631) 632-6161
OR THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT AT (631) 444-4700.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TITLE II CRIME AWARENESS
AND SECURITY ACT, A COPY OF OUR CRIME STATISTICS IS AVAILABLE UPON
REQUEST BY CALLING | 
