Katie Maney

New Mason Nanofabrication Facility will help drive innovation in the commonwealth

Colleen Rich — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 19:45:46 +0000

New Mason Nanofabrication Facility will help drive innovation in the commonwealth Colleen Rich Wed, 01/17/2024 - 14:45

Over the past decade, nanotechnology has taken the world by storm. From health care to electronics, it has radically transformed countless industries.

Shawn Wagoner, nanofabrication manager, gives a tour of Mason's new Nanofabrication Facility on the Science and Technology Campus. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

As a result, nanofabrication, the manufacturing of nanoscale structures, is more important than ever, and proper fabrication has requirements, including both sophisticated equipment and a skilled workforce. In response to the rising demand for nanofabrication services, ��AV stands ready to conduct state-of-the-art research and to help train the next generation of innovators with the opening of the new Nanofabrication Facility (NFF) on its Science and Technology Campus.

“The NFF is the only cleanroom facility and resource for partners in Northern Virginia and offers hands-on nanofabrication workforce training in groundbreaking research and emerging research applications that will accelerate growth of high-tech companies,” said Andre Marshall, vice president of research, innovation, and economic impact at Mason. “Mason is committed to providing many opportunities for students to participate in experiential learning, preparing our workforce for the future and readying them to compete on a global scale.”

Mason engineering professor Ethan Ahn sees the new facility as a perfect opportunity to give students the chance to receive hands-on experience in a nanofabrication lab. Ahn is teaching Mason’s first-ever Nanoelectronics Fundamentals course during the Spring 2024 semester, where students will be asked to create electronic devices in the NFF Class 1000 cleanroom.

The Nanofabrication Facility offers hands-on nanofabrication workforce training. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“Hands-on experience in this field is invaluable, especially because students can become familiarized with the equipment that they may encounter in their future careers,” said Ahn, an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Mason also launched the Nano-IMAGINE program with the help of a $3.75 million grant from GO Virginia, a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Through Nano-IMAGINE, in addition to offering undergraduate and graduate courses, Mason plans to provide two workforce-readiness opportunities in 2024: Nanocamp and Nano Boot Camp.

Nanocamp will allow area high school students to take part in experiments designed by Mason researchers and industry experts that use the cutting-edge equipment found inside the NFF. Nano Boot Camp is designed for those who are searching for a new career path or who would like to gain entry-level skills in an in-demand field. Similar to Nanocamp, participants will learn and apply principles used to build micro and nano devices.

The Nano-IMAGINE courses and programs complement statewide efforts led by the newly established Virginia Alliance for Semiconductor Technology (VAST). VAST is a network of semiconductor, microelectronics, and nanotechnology industries and Virginia colleges and universities. As a member of this consortium, Mason aims to promote VAST by educating NFF boot camp members about opportunities offered by the alliance, such as certificate programs that can help advance their careers in nanofabrication, an essential part of the semiconductor field.

"By investing in top faculty, new programs and facilities, and partnerships, Mason is connecting learning and market advancement to drive innovation for all across the state," said Marshall. “We are leading regional collaborations across sectors to bring a better tomorrow.

Learn more about the Nanofabrication Facility

Did you know...

The Nanofabrication Facility is located on George Mason’s SciTech Campus in Manassas, Virginia. The campus is situated in Innovation Park, with neighbors ranging from start-ups to large size tech companies.

Learn more about SciTech >

Study finds probiotics are not only good for the gut, they affect other organs too

Colleen Rich — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 15:03:47 +0000

Study finds probiotics are not only good for the gut, they affect other organs too Colleen Rich Mon, 04/17/2023 - 11:03

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 40% of Americans are classified as obese, leading obesity to be considered a significant public health threat. High fat diets, which are often cited as a cause of obesity, can also result in the development of metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that may promote the progression of serious health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. With obesity rates still rising, the hunt is on for ways to combat the negative effects of a high fat diet. ��AV researchers now believe they have discovered a possible answer—probiotic supplementation.

Mason researchers Robin Couch and Allyson Dailey in the lab.
Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Robin Couch and Allyson Dailey, researchers in Mason’s College of Science and the Institute for Biohealth Innovation, are interested in the correlations between dietary intake and overall health. In a recent study, Couch and Dailey partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to explore the influence of probiotic supplementation on a higher fat diet, using pigs as model organisms.

The research team looked at four groups of pigs—two groups that were fed nutritionally balanced diets with and without probiotic supplementation, and two groups that were fed higher fat diets with and without probiotic supplementation. The probiotic that was tested is known as Lacticaseibacillus paracasei. After six months of dietary intake, organ tissue samples obtained from the pigs were examined, specifically looking at their molecular composition.

Couch and Dailey were looking at specifically at metabolites, substances that are produced or used during metabolism. They found that the kidneys and the brain were particularly sensitive to a high-fat diet and when certain metabolites were noted to be at harmful levels, the kidneys and the brain were the most susceptible.

In contrast, they also discovered that, with probiotic supplementation, many of the detrimental metabolite levels reverted to levels found in pigs that were fed a healthy diet. In other words, probiotic supplementation staved off the negative effects associated with a high-fat diet, illustrating how probiotics may play a key role in preventative health care.

“We’d like to see probiotic intake become a regular part of the dietary recommendations that a physician would give to a patient,” said Dailey.

The researchers are also aiming to investigate other probiotic strains.

“If different strains do have distinct effects on the body, then you could see individualized probiotics, or even probiotic cocktails, being used to treat specific diseases,” said Couch. “We think it’s likely that, alongside pharmaceuticals, prescribing probiotics that address various diseases will be more commonplace in the future.”

Additionally, Couch and Dailey view this study as a stepping stone to potential subsequent work on how other nutrients, such as protein and carbohydrates, affect tissue composition.

“We specifically looked at the influence of a high-fat diet in our research, but this opens up a whole world of nutritional investigation at the metabolic level,” said Couch.

For now, the researchers are hoping that their study, which was recently published in the journal Metabolites, serves to add scientific validity to the claims of the benefits of probiotics.

“This is progress towards providing new evidence that probiotics are good for you and that what you consume has a profound effect on your health,” said Dailey. “These findings can contribute to the creation of revolutionary solutions, and, in the end, that’s why I’m in this—to help people thrive.”

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Institute for Biohealth Innovation

Learn about Mason's Institute for Biohealth Innovation

Mason leads planning study to position Northern Virginia as a premier location for the life science industry

Melanie Balog — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 21:04:09 +0000

Mason leads planning study to position Northern Virginia as a premier location for the life science industry Melanie Balog Fri, 03/17/2023 - 17:04

In This Story

PJ Maddox, EdD, MSN, RN

Caroline Sutter, DNP

During the past several years, industry demand for a skilled life science workforce has been surging. In Virginia, while there are currently shortages in almost all health-related professions, little is known about whether there is an adequate supply of life science workers to meet the needs of employers. Now ��AV is working toward a solution.

In partnership with Phoenix Advantage, a Virginia-based economic development and business consulting firm, Caroline Sutter of Mason’s College of Public Health; Amy Adams, executive director of the Institute for Biohealth Innovation; and their team have received a life science talent pathway planning grant from GO Virginia, a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

Microbiology students are part of the life sciences workforce pipeline.
File photo by Lathan Goumas/Strategic Communication

With the assistance of the award, they will be assessing life science employer needs, employment trends, workforce supply, and demand projections in Northern Virginia. Provided that future funding is secured, they intend to use their findings to facilitate the expansion of the life science worker pipeline.

“A robust workforce is a vital component of a thriving life science industry,” said Susan Baker, managing director of GO Virginia. "GO Virginia is proud to support an effort to establish Northern Virginia as an area that is able to respond to the needs of a steadily growing market."

According to Adams, the first step of the project will be to create a comprehensive list of companies who hire individuals in the life science sector, such as digital health firms and biomanufacturers. From there, Phoenix Advantage will schedule interviews with the identified employers in order to better understand their priorities and what they consider to be the ideal skillset in the future workforce.

In tandem, the Mason Center for Health Workforce (MCHW), directed by Sutter and P. J. Maddox, will leverage data from the Commonwealth of Virginia to assess the future pipeline of workers, including secondary school and higher education students. Established in 2022, the MCHW plays a leading role in health workforce planning and development across Virginia. The center has collected extensive data related to health workers and will expand to include life science personnel with this project.

“The health care workforce is in flux; demand is high just as burnout, turnover, and rising labor costs are diminishing the supply of qualified staff,” said Sutter, who is also an associate professor in Mason’s School of Nursing. “The Mason Center for Health Workforce helps organizations, communities, and the commonwealth use data for decision-making to create short-term solutions and long-term strategies.”

Seeing tremendous value in the team’s effort to optimize life science workforce preparedness, the Claude Moore Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Virginia and a key funder of the MCHW, provided matching funds for the planning grant.

A VR Simulation Lab training class. File Photo by
Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

“The vibrancy and growth of the life science ecosystem in Northern Virginia depends in part on our ability to understand workforce needs and to attract and train talent,” said Bill Hazel, the senior deputy director of the Claude Moore Foundation. “This grant will allow us to inventory those needs and to strengthen our talent pipeline.”

The next step of the project will be to identify existing education and training programs so that redundancies can be avoided and potential gaps can be addressed. Finally, an analysis will be performed on how workers and employers are currently matched in the life sciences industry.

Adams said she believes the Northern Virginia region has immense potential to be the destination for life science companies to reside and prosper. She added that she hopes the team’s work will result in the formation of programs that motivate students to pursue careers in the life sciences.

“We want to reach students at early stages and show them that the life science career path is one that is extremely rewarding; you are able to touch many lives around the world by developing innovative solutions to advance health,” said Adams. “By sparking inspiration, we can also help companies in our region flourish by ensuring access to a well-prepared and sufficiently sized workforce—both are what drive us.”

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GO Virginia

Institute for Biohealth Innovation

Student news

Research

Mason collaboration receives $3.2 million to help military personnel combat hemorrhagic diseases

Colleen Rich — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 21:50:35 +0000

Mason collaboration receives $3.2 million to help military personnel combat hemorrhagic diseases Colleen Rich Wed, 01/04/2023 - 16:50

Deployed military personnel frequently face numerous health and safety hazards as part of their daily activities in service to their nation. Among many dangers is the possibility of encountering hemorrhagic fever viruses (HFVs), a group of highly infectious pathogens such as the Ebola virus. Many of these diseases do not currently have effective therapeutics and can be prevalent in areas where service members are deployed, putting them at risk of exposure.

Mason researcher Aarthi Narayanan and her team in the lab. From left, Trangdai Tran, Farhang Alem, Narayanan, Michael Barrera, and Kenia Gomez. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

��AV infectious disease researcher Aarthi Narayanan has partnered with the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) and Cyclica, a biotechnology company based in Canada, to identify potential broad-spectrum therapeutics for illnesses triggered by HFVs and similar pathogens.

“Tackling this challenge requires a multidisciplinary approach,” said Narayanan, who is an associate professor in the College of Science and a faculty member in the Department of Biology and the Institute for Biohealth Innovation. “With the support of a $3.2M grant from the Department of Defense, our team will be working to address the mechanisms by which some HFVs cause disease and using cutting-edge technology to keep military personnel and those they serve safe.”

USAMRIID and Mason will start by generating samples through exposure studies. Biosafety Level 3 pathogens will be examined at Mason’s Biomedical Research Laboratory, while USAMRIID will work with Biosafety Level 4 agents.

Mason will use its reverse-phase protein microarray (RPPA) to understand how cells communicate with other cells in a host’s response to infection. Specifically, the team is interested in changes to the cells that line blood vessels, also known as endothelial cells. In many cases, the viruses that will be studied lead to damage to endothelial cells as a result of hemorrhage, leading to severe illness or death.

Cyclica has extensive knowledge in machine learning and will help Mason develop artificial intelligence models. Using data from the RPPA, the models will search for druggable targets that could interrupt the host response.

Any encouraging findings will be tested with an organ-on-chip (OoC) platform, an emerging technology that mimics human organ physiology on a microfluidic chip. Since OoCs are able to simulate organ systems, they are more informative than traditional cell cultures, and they increase the likelihood that treatment strategies will work successfully in animal models and, eventually, in humans.

“This project allows us to combine unique assets of the university with outside expertise,” said Narayanan. “Collaboration opens doors for us and creates new opportunities that may not be available to the team if we had performed the studies individually.”

Narayanan's ultimate goal is to identify two or three broad-spectrum small molecule drugs that could be used for the next stage of development. The small molecules’ size enables them to easily enter cells and reach targets that other drugs struggle to engage. Many small molecule drugs are already FDA cleared or approved for other applications; the team hopes that some of them could be brought to market as countermeasures for HFVs. Repurposed therapeutics can be available to the medical community sooner than new medications, as they have already gone through the FDA review process.

With hospitals quickly becoming overrun during COVID-19, Narayanan also sees this research as a chance to prepare for a future pandemic. Due to biological agents’ volatile nature, there is often little time to establish diagnostic capabilities and assess remedies. Having broad-spectrum therapeutics available as a tool to mitigate host response means more time could be dedicated to creating accurate diagnostics and administering treatments that will target the pathogen.

Additionally, Narayanan said the project presents a great opportunity for Mason graduate students on the team to gain experience in a variety of fields, ranging from disease pathology to proteomics and bioinformatics.

“Impactful, experiential learning opportunities like this truly prepare Mason Science graduate students for exciting professional trajectories,” said Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm, dean of the College of Science. “Our Mason Science researchers pride themselves on bold, creative work with innovative strategic partners to address grand global challenges.”

While the task may seem daunting to some, Narayanan is eager to begin. She is confident that the team will uncover groundbreaking solutions that will protect military personnel and serve the broader civilian community.

“My team members are extremely remarkable individuals who value saving as many lives as possible,” said Narayanan. “Together, I am positive that we will be able to make great strides in both military and public health.”

About the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases

Since 1969, USAMRIID has provided leading-edge medical capabilities to deter and defend against current and emerging biological threat agents. The institute is the only laboratory in the Department of Defense equipped to safely study highly hazardous viruses requiring maximum containment at Biosafety Level 4. Research conducted at USAMRIID leads to vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, and training programs that protect both warfighters and civilians. The institute's unique science and technology base serves not only to address current threats to our Armed Forces but is an essential element in the medical response to any future biological threats that may confront our nation. For more information, visit usamriid.health.mil.

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College of Science

Institute for Biohealth Innovation

Research

Mason Momentum

Using community-engaged research to develop patient-centered solutions

Colleen Rich — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 18:06:38 +0000

Using community-engaged research to develop patient-centered solutions Colleen Rich Thu, 11/17/2022 - 13:06

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Nearly one in five Americans lives with a disability that negatively impacts their daily lives. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is estimated that in 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to adding an additional 1.2 million people with disabilities compared to 2020.

This crisis has highlighted the urgent need for cutting-edge solutions, and ��AV’s Center for Adaptive Systems of Brain-Body Interactions (CASBBI) is poised to answer this call by way of their NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) Program.

The 2022-23 NRT cohort took a tour of the MIX's makerspace in Horizon Hall. Photo by NRT

The NRT program was established in 2019 with a five-year grant of nearly $3 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and is preparing an interdisciplinary, community-engaged STEM workforce with the expertise necessary for cross-disciplinary collaboration. Through this program, Mason graduate students from engineering, computer science, clinical psychology, social work, neuroscience, data science, and other fields work alongside partners from the local community on yearlong projects to identify difficulties faced by individuals with disabilities and to develop powerful solutions.

Earlier this year, students presented their design projects to the Mason community and a wide range of community partners and stakeholders, including behavioral health providers, administrators, advocates, and individuals with lived experience.

“The student-led projects result in tools that will aid our community partners working with individuals affected by substance use disorders, reentry after incarceration, mental health disorders, and mobility impairments,” said CASBBI director Siddhartha Sikdar, who leads the traineeship program.

One of the teams, Team Physical-Mental Solutions, analyzed accessibility obstacles on Mason’s Fairfax Campus for those with mobility impairments, and they proposed a smartphone application with navigational support that avoids common barriers that individuals with disabilities frequently come across, such as steep inclines and rough terrain. Team member and Mason doctoral student Eslam Hassan found the project to be deeply gratifying because of its real-world applications.

“Being able to design and develop a project that assists individuals with mobility impairments, while advocating for awareness of the initiative on the Fairfax Campus, was a highlight of my graduate career,” said Hassan, who is working on a PhD in the Department of Psychology.

NRT cohort members collaborate on a challenge in the MIX makerspace. Photo by NRT

The Good Troublers, whose team name was inspired by a quote from late U.S. Representative John Lewis, investigated how people struggling with opioid addiction can be better connected with professional resources. Their intervention—a mobile application that checks in on the user and recommends public services—reflects the group’s multidisciplinary backgrounds. While social work, neuroscience, and computer science may not seem like naturally complementary fields, the NRT Program provided the students with the opportunity to come together in a purposeful way.

“Participating on a team with people from diverse backgrounds challenged siloed views and helped me see problems from numerous angles that I wouldn’t have considered previously,” said Jonathan Mbuya, a PhD student in the Department of Computer Science and a member of the Good Troublers team.

In addition to expressing enthusiasm for the solutions that the students proposed, the community partners offered additional context based on their direct knowledge about the communities and recommended next steps for expanded research.

Both the 2021-22 NRT cohort and the incoming 2022-23 cohort, made up of 18 students, benefited from their involvement in the presentations, becoming more cognizant of the complexity of the problems encountered by people with disabilities. Sikdar is confident that the initiative can continue to address the critical needs of people with disabilities with its emphasis on cooperation across disciplines and communication skills.

“Utilizing a bold and innovative model, the NRT program offers training on understanding issues from multiple perspectives, using team science to produce creative answers, and communicating results to a broad audience,” said Sikdar, who is a faculty member in the Department of Bioengineering and a member of the Institute for Biohealth Innovation (IBI).

Amy Adams, IBI’s executive director, appreciates CASBBI’s efforts.

“I am proud of the diligence and dedication shown by the NRT fellows, who are working to combat significant health challenges and making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities,” said Adams. “In addition to helping advance research for broader impact, they are also gaining invaluable skills that will prepare them to readily enter the workforce.”

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doctoral students

Institute for Biohealth Innovation

National Science Foundation

Research

workforce

��AV Awarded $3.75M Grant to Create Nano-IMAGINE Program

Tama Moni — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 19:49:18 +0000

��AV Awarded $3.75M Grant to Create Nano-IMAGINE Program Tama Moni Tue, 07/26/2022 - 15:49

��AV has received a $3.75M per capita grant from GO Virginia, a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. The grant, which is the largest award for GO Virginia funding in Region 7, will allow Mason to establish Nano-IMAGINE, a new program that is a response to the exploding nanofabrication industry. By offering high-tech workforce readiness training and accelerating the launch and advancement of nanotech startups, the program is designed to position Virginia as a global leader in the nanotechnology sector.

The new program is being established in partnership with Mason’s College of Engineering and Computing, College of Science, and Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact.

“This proposal represents one of the most exciting new opportunities for Northern Virginia’s innovation economy,” said Susan Baker, managing director of GO Virginia. “GO Virginia is delighted to partner with ��AV to create high-paying careers and new talent pathways in nanotechnology for the region.”

Nanoscale products, such as chips that provide memory in electronics, are crucial in many areas, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and health. With supply chain issues causing increased demand, nanotech companies across Virginia have intensified the manufacturing of nanoscale structures. In order to ensure the proper fabrication of these technologies, requirements like a controlled cleanroom and a skilled workforce must be met. Mason has stepped up to the plate both with the Nano-IMAGINE program and its recently constructed addition to its Science and Technology (SciTech) Campus: a 1,946 square foot Nanofabrication Facility (NFF) comprised of a class 1000 cleanroom and a class 100,000 characterization lab.

“The NFF is the only cleanroom facility in Northern Virginia that can offer hands-on nanofabrication workforce training and support groundbreaking research and development activities that will spur the formation, advancement, and growth of high-tech companies,” said Andre Marshall, vice president of research, innovation, and economic impact at Mason. “We are proud to be able to provide students with experiential learning opportunities to prepare them for the economy of the future and serve as a regional resource for nanofabrication innovation.”

Nano-IMAGINE’s workforce readiness program will consist of the development and modification of 26 graduate and undergraduate classes at Mason to address nanotechnologies in the life sciences and engineering, a Nano-Cleanroom certificate class, and the formation of a nano-STEM educational boot camp for high school students. Through its efforts, Mason aims to support companies, like Micron, BAE Systems, and GeneSiC with the creation of a talented workforce pipeline.

“Ensuring a strong pool of local STEM talent is essential to maintaining the industry’s technology development and growth,” said Delbert Parks, vice president, and site executive of Micron Technology Virginia. “We are proud to support this new nanotechnology program that will benefit local high school students, including those who are first-generation, the Northern Virginia Community College and Mason, as well as veterans.”

Building a cleanroom with sophisticated tools is often cost-prohibitive to emerging businesses. Furthermore, nano-entrepreneurs are in need of facilities where they can produce novel nanostructures and prototypes. The NFF will be available to external users, such as startup organizations, at competitive market rates. In conjunction with this, Mason’s SciTech Campus is adjacent to the Northern Virginia BioScience Center, a 30,000-square-foot wet lab building that opened in February 2022 and supplies essential commercial lab space.

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, who is the chief Senate sponsor of legislation to restore U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology and production and added support to Mason’s initiative, is excited about the opportunities that can be explored through the grant and the fiscal effects on the region and the state at large.

“I was proud to support Mason’s proposal because I know that Northern Virginia’s growing tech corridor needs a skilled, 21st-century workforce to continue to grow,” said Sen. Warner. “I applaud Mason for making strategic investments in our future and working to strengthen Virginia’s reputation as a hub for cutting-edge research and economic growth.”

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Mason team works to identify more objective evaluations to diagnose autism

Colleen Rich — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 16:42:08 +0000

Mason team works to identify more objective evaluations to diagnose autism Colleen Rich Wed, 07/20/2022 - 12:42

Mason research Allison Jack with a MRI simulator she uses to prepare young study participants prior to scanning. Photo by Sierra Guard/Creative Services

For most of her life, Allison Jack has aspired to improve the lives of autistic people. The ��AV researcher had a childhood friend with autism and had witnessed some of the challenges neurodiverse individuals face. That experience combined with her natural curiosity about the brain made her determined to carry out her mission.

As she became more embedded in the field of autism, Jack learned that many autistic people, including those designated female at birth and those who are gender nonconforming, often receive delayed diagnoses, misdiagnoses, or no diagnoses at all. Past autism research has frequently overlooked both subsets of individuals. Jack believes that these discrepancies may be partially responsible for a poorer quality of life for those affected.

“For years now, the autistic community has strongly been speaking up about how research and public policy have not always accurately reflected the needs and desires of neurodiverse people,” said Jack, who is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology in Mason's College of Humanities and Social Sciences and a member of the Institute for Biohealth Innovation.

Allison Jack. Photo by Sierra Guard/Creative Services

Jack is a member of the Gender Exploration of Neurogenetics and Development to Advanced Autism Research Consortium, a National Institutes of Health-funded Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) network focused on learning more about how sex and gender relate to biology, behavior, and the well-being of autistic children, teenagers, and young adults.

Her partners in this initiative include such local groups as the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at Children’s National and the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network and the Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network, two organizations that offer support to those diagnosed and promote autistic representation in research and public policy.

Inspired by ACE’s commitment to effectively engage autistic individuals and champion their equal representation, Jack wanted to build on their work. When she received a job offer from Mason, she knew she had found a university with similar values that would allow her to implement her plan.

“I wanted to set up an autism-friendly lab with heavy involvement from neurodiverse students, and Mason actively encouraged the idea,” said Jack. “Mason is very special in that way. I don't know that I've been in any place previously that would have been this affirmatively excited and accommodating.”

Jack’s lab fosters increased representation in research and provides an opportunity for neurodiverse individuals to receive scientific training so that they can assist in the design and execution of studies, another objective of autism advocacy groups. Jack believes autistic people should be involved in every level of autism research, and she finds their suggestions to be both enlightening and highly beneficial.

“I had one autistic graduate student propose that we have an infrastructure in place for current and potential autistic research participants to talk to us through text or online chat because they commonly feel very uncomfortable with other forms of communication we were using, like the phone,” said Jack. “As a neurotypical individual, I had never considered that before, and it was extremely eye-opening.”

Jack said she would like to see the introduction of more objective evaluations for autism. Current diagnostic measures are based on observation, which she believes may be a factor in late or missed diagnoses. Moving forward, she hopes that her lab’s work will result in more accurate tests that incorporate information about biology. Jack and her team are also utilizing Mason’s 3T MRI scanner to examine which regions in the brain may play a role in the development of autism.

While juggling multiple goals may seem daunting, Jack’s passion for helping the autistic community acts as her main motivator. She is also grateful for the contributions and insights of those who work alongside her.

“I love the brain and think it’s endlessly fascinating, but mostly I love my team,” Jack said. “It's such good fortune to get to work with people who are primarily concerned with ensuring that we're doing the best job possible of including people who might otherwise be ignored and representing the true breadth of experience out there.”

Topics

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Psychology Department

autism spectrum disorder

Institute for Biohealth Innovation

Research

Mason Momentum

Mason biotech startup Virongy continues to expand in Northern Virginia

Colleen Rich — Mon, 23 May 2022 13:25:44 +0000

Mason biotech startup Virongy continues to expand in Northern Virginia Colleen Rich Mon, 05/23/2022 - 09:25

From left, Virongy staff members include Senior Product Technician Dongyang Yu, Business and Marketing Associate Bruce Franz, Founder Yuntao Wu, Chief Scientific Officer Brian Hetrick. Photo by Amy Adams/Institute for Biohealth Innovation

After making striking advancements in HIV and COVID-19 research, Virongy, a biotechnology company in Prince William County, Virginia, has set its sight on tackling even more viruses. With millions of people being afflicted by viral illnesses worldwide each year, Virongy’s objective addresses an ever-increasing market need.

“Our goal is to create advanced diagnostics so that doctors can promptly prescribe treatments to patients,” said Brian Hetrick, chief scientific officer of Virongy.

The Virongy team also works beyond the walls of their commercial lab, leveraging the unique infectious disease research capabilities offered by ��AV’s Biomedical Research Laboratory on the Science and Technology Campus. This state-of-the-art building, where studies can be conducted safely and in compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regulations, provides an ideal place for them to work on Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) pathogens. Pathogens investigated in a BSL3 laboratory have the potential to cause serious or potentially lethal disease through respiratory transmission.

Yuntao Wu, a professor in the College of Science (COS) and a member of the Institute for Biohealth Innovation at Mason, founded Virongy in 2013. The biotech company was formed after Wu licensed an HIV drug-screening technology that was developed in his Mason lab. From there, he was able to set up his new company at the Prince William County Science Accelerator, a life sciences startup incubation facility.

“Virongy’s success in addressing worldwide pervasive viruses such as HIV and COVID-19, and now its move to expand its scope to a larger variety of diseases, is an achievement we are immensely proud of here at Mason,” said COS Dean Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm.

Recognizing the technology’s tremendous potential, angel investors and venture capitalists sought out Virongy for investment. The company also has been the recipient of multiple nondilutive grants, including a Prince William County Department of Economic Development (PWCDED)’s IGNITE program grant and a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant through the National Institutes of Health. With its rapid growth, Wu knew Virongy needed more space.

The opening of the Northern Virginia Bioscience Center, a 30,000-square-foot wet lab building managed by Holladay Properties with sophisticated equipment funded by GO Virginia, brought Wu his answer. The Biohealth Capital Region, comprising Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C., is the fourth-ranked biopharma cluster in the United States, as reported by Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News. The region’s high concentration of talent in the health care sector meant that additional commercial wet lab space was a necessity.

“Disruption is always an opportunity for innovation, and our life sciences sector in Prince William County expanded exponentially during the pandemic,” said Christina Winn, executive director of the PWCDED. “Virongy’s expansion is a combination of exciting technology from Dr. Wu with the addition of expert business staff and the lab space to grow right here in Innovation Park.”

The launching of the bioscience center allowed Virongy to move from a 600-square-foot space to a 1,600-square-foot lab. Both Wu and Hetrick are excited about the opportunities that come with the expansion.

“Not only can we bolster our research capabilities, but we also aim to be a supplier of new jobs in the area,” said Hetrick, who holds a PhD in biosciences from Mason.

In addition, Virongy is one of the life science companies that is part of the Northern Virginia BioHub, which was recently established through Virginia Bio-Connect and funded by a $3.2 million GO Virginia matching grant. Susan Baker, managing director of GO Virginia’s Region 7, sees the grant as money well-invested.

“Projects like these are extremely important for economic growth and talent development of high-wage jobs in our region,” said Baker.

While the move has kept them busy, Virongy has no plans to slow down. One of its next steps includes obtaining Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification in order to open a GMP lab. The certification ensures that all products produced in the lab are safe and effective, and expedites the FDA approval process for any products the company intends to bring to market. Virongy anticipates having GMP certification within the next several months.

“We constantly strive to bring forward innovative solutions that break past limitations of existing technologies,” said Wu. “If there is a faster way to tackle some of global health’s most pressing challenges, we will do it.”

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Institute for Biohealth Innovation

Mason researchers use scent analysis for COVID diagnostics

Colleen Rich — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 14:32:16 +0000

Mason researchers use scent analysis for COVID diagnostics Colleen Rich Wed, 09/22/2021 - 10:32

Mason researchers Robin Couch and Allyson Dailey are working to answer that call with their research on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for infectious disease detection. Photo by Creative Services

With COVID-19 continuing to spread throughout the world, there is a demand for rapid, noninvasive diagnostics. ��AV researchers Robin Couch and Allyson Dailey, members of the College of Science and the Institute of Biohealth Innovation, are working to answer that call with their research on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for infectious disease detection.

VOCs are gases that emanate from a variety of sources, including from humans. Much like a sommelier can smell wine and determine the composition of it, Couch and Dailey have been looking at the scent prints of bacteria. They have been able to successfully diagnose mice infected with biothreat agents using this method, and were able to differentiate standard bacteria strains from antibiotic-resistant strains, as seen in Nature Scientific Reports. Mason holds a patent around the technology on the extraction and analysis of gases through the VOC extraction chamber.

When the news of COVID struck the world in March 2020, the researchers embraced it as an opportunity to further test their approach on viruses. Through a partnership with Sentara Healthcare, trained nurses collected breath samples to support Couch and Dailey’s study, as well as performed the test for standard patient care. The research team analyzed the breath samples, compared results from the traditional diagnostic test, and trained their instrument on the difference in VOCs between positive and negative COVID results. From there, they were able to take the breath samples and quickly discern whether or not a patient had COVID-19.

The team at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) Left to Right: Heather Causseaux, MSN, NP-C, Director, Patient Care Services, SNVMC; Arthur Chutuape, MD, Infectious Disease Specialist, SNVMC; Jessica Silcox, MSN, RN, PCCN, Clinical Manager, Emergency Department, SNVMC; Debra Lee, MD, Chief, SNVMC and SLR Emergency Departments, Facility Medical Director, SNVMC Emergency Department, Vice President, Medical Staff, SNVMC

“Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is excited to collaborate with ��AV on this cutting-edge research,” said Heather Causseaux, director of patient care services. “We hope this study not only leads to advancements in patient care, but also the health care industry.”

The idea to use VOCs for COVID-19 diagnostics originated from a study in collaboration with Mason Science Associate Dean for Research Pat Gillevet and Rush University. The team looked at the scent profile of fecal samples from healthy patients and from those who were clinically diagnosed with alcoholism to assist with detecting the disease. Couch and Dailey’s goal then shifted toward using the technique for diagnostics.

Not only is VOC analysis less invasive than conventional diagnostic testing using biofluids, such as urine, but it also has broad applicability in the medical field. Rather than needing a battery of tests, VOC analysis can simultaneously look for multiple diseases using the same sample and technique. In fact, the researchers are optimistic that one day, scent analysis can be used for early disease intervention during regular checkups.

“Imagine being able to receive a whole body analysis through your scent profile when you go to your general practitioner,“ said Couch. “An instrument would be able to compare your scent to a library of diseases and promptly determine whether or not you have indicators of illnesses like diabetes or Parkinson’s disease, meaning you’re able to receive treatment sooner, or prevent the illness entirely.”

Another direction where the team would like to eventually take their VOC analysis testing capabilities is a surveillance tool. For instance, Couch and Dailey envision that as individuals walk by a testing station, it could smell their VOCs and provide rapid diagnostic information in the form of green, yellow, and red lights based on the detection of transmissible diseases. This could be especially valuable in public settings like schools and airports.

The researchers use the technique’s potential to help others as motivation for continuing to pursue their studies.

“What excites me most about our investigation is knowing what I’m working on right now could be used to help a lot of people,” said Dailey. “That’s what keeps me moving forward.”

Topics

Research

Institute for Biohealth Innovation

College of Science

SciTech Campus

coronavirus; COVID-19; Editorial

Mason Momentum

Mason researchers study risk factors of brain aneurysms and effective treatments for high-risk patients

Colleen Rich — Tue, 18 May 2021 15:51:40 +0000

Mason researchers study risk factors of brain aneurysms and effective treatments for high-risk patients Colleen Rich Tue, 05/18/2021 - 11:51

In This Story

Juan Cebral

Juan Cebral. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

The localized enlargement of arteries in the brain, known as cerebral aneurysms, can have devastating consequences. ��AV researcher Juan Cebral and his team are studying major risk factors for aneurysms and how to identify high-risk patients who need prompt and aggressive treatments.

This study, funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, includes clinical and research investigators from the University of Pittsburgh, Northwell Hospital in New York, Allegheny General Hospital, the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Tampere University Hospital in Finland, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Jikei University, and Geneva University Hospital. These collaborators have assembled a database of approximately 3,000 aneurysms and have recently published three articles that have led to continued support from the National Institutes of Health.

Mason faculty are also working with Cebral, including Martin Slawaski from the College of Engineering and Computing, Rainald Lohner from the College of Science, and Fernado Mut from the Computational Hemodynamics Lab, which Cebral leads.

Cebral and his team are specifically focusing on aneurysms with blebs, which are secondary swellings found in weakened sections of the aneurysm walls. Tearing of the wall, or a rupture, is more likely to occur when blebs are present. These ruptures cause cerebral hemorrhages, leading to serious health complications or death.

The research team found two notable clinical characteristics among patients diagnosed with brain aneurysms: patients with blebs are more likely to have dental problems, such as periodontitis and other dental infections, and women who are undergoing hormone replacement therapy tend to have fewer blebs. They also discovered that the way the blood flows inside an aneurysm, and whether a bleb has a thick or thin wall, can help determine the condition’s severity.

“Blebs that had a strong blood flow generally had thinner walls compared to those with weak blood flows, which had thicker walls,” said Cebral, who is in the Department of Bioengineering. “The conclusion here is that not all blebs are the same: Some are more dangerous than others, and flow conditions may help us recognize which aneurysms need immediate treatment.”

Cebral is hopeful that the research findings contribute to progression in how aneurysms and blebs are currently evaluated and treated. For instance, if the association between dental problems and bleb formation continues to be proven on a larger scale, Cebral suggests that an emphasis on intense dental hygiene may be an effective way to stabilize the aneurysm and avoid invasive treatment.

“Our goal is to help identify patients who need rapid treatment and those whose diagnosis may not be as threatening,” said Cebral. “Understanding that not all aneurysms and blebs are the same is important because we should not assign the same risk level or care plans to all patients.”

Topics

Research

Bioengineering

Institute for Biohealth Innovation

Katie Maney

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