Blog

Every other Tuesday, the Innovation Institute highlights a technology or a set of technologies from its portfolio of impactful innovations available for licensing or strategic partnerships. This week, we feature a sustainable plastic alternative to conventional plastic, addressing the urgent issue of plastic pollution, including the notorious "Pacific trash vortex" - a massive garbage plastic dump island in the ocean. It is estimated that the Pacific Ocean alone is burdened with over 1.8 million pieces of plastic, forming massive floating patches that pose a severe environmental threat. These plastic fragments, known for their durable molecular structures, take centuries to degrade, with microplastic particles being discovered even in the deepest oceanic depths and within various aquatic species. The technology is spearheaded by Eric Beckman, PhD, Distinguished Service Professor, Swanson School of Engineering and Susan Fullerton Shirey, PhD, Associate Professor, Swanson School of Engineering. SUMMARY: While recent biologically derived materials lack the necessary physical durability for commercial applications, molecular engineering offers a new approach. By creating temporary connections between polysaccharides (carbohydrates or sugars), Pitt researchers can produce robust films that resemble plastics. When these materials come into contact with saltwater, the chains break down after several days, resulting in harmless byproducts that do not endanger living organisms.

UPMC Enterprises Translational Sciences and the University of Pittsburgh Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship are teaming on a second request for proposals for sponsored research projects in specific therapeutic areas. We are highlighting the two projects funded in the first RFP. We previously featured a project to develop a therapy for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a debilitating neurodegenerative disease with no effective treatments. Now we feature a gene therapy from the lab of Dwi Kemaladewi, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics.

Aging along with inflammation, infection, and trauma can all cause damage to joint tissue resulting in arthritic disorders. These disorders can be debilitating, significantly impacting on quality of life.

13 years after launching a business pitch competition for Pitt healthcare technologies, Pitt alum Michael Wells reflects on the growth of the university’s culture of innovation and entrepreneurship Michael Wells had already developed an innovation mindset while earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education. (EDUC’90, EDUC’92G)

We're back with another round of Innovation Institute's Tech Tuesdays, where we showcase the most cutting-edge technologies from our impressive portfolio of impactful innovations ready for licensing or strategic partnering! This week we feature a groundbreaking technique that may help improve the health of people dealing with prostate issues. The technology is led by Youko Ikeda, Anthony J. Kanai, and Irina V. Zabbarova, who are all part of the Department of Medicine.