ICTS Awards Winning Entries in 3rd Annual Virtual Poster Display

ICTS Awards Winning Entries in 3rd Annual Virtual Poster Display graphic

The ICTS has awarded five awards to investigators in the ICTS’ 3rd annual virtual poster display and contest. As part of the 6th Annual ICTS Symposium, 24 separate posters were submitted and reviewed by 10 ICTS faculty. Posters showcased one of these 4 types of translational research: Posters were also categorized by early-stage, clinical, or […]

ICTS-funded investigator conducts crucial research to better understand, diagnose, and treat rare genetic disease

Dr. Fumihiko Urano

Rare diseases are just what their name implies – each one affects a limited number of people. But with this rarity comes unique challenges, and among the biggest challenges faced by these patients are the roadblocks they encounter with gathering information about their conditions, being properly diagnosed, and finding the best resources and treatment options […]

COVID Biorepository will be Closing

BJC Foundation, Siteman, ICTS logos

The Washington University COVID-19 biorepository that was jointly sponsored by The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the Siteman Cancer Center, and the ICTS, has been an incredible success. Use of these samples has diminished substantially over the past two years and all remaining samples are being distributed to final users by the Tissue Procurement Core. The […]

1. Surfactant Protein A Promotes Atherosclerosis through Mediating Macrophage Foam Cell Formation

Surfactant Protein A Promotes Atherosclerosis through Mediating Macrophage Foam Cell Formation

Introduction: Atherosclerosis (AT) is a progressive cardiovascular disease characterized by persistent inflammation and excessive cholesterol deposition within the artery wall and is the fundamental pathological process underlying coronary artery disease and stroke. Macrophage (MФ) foam cells play a central role in the pathogenesis of AT. Surfactant protein A (SPA) is a lipid-associating protein involved with […]

2. Improving CRISPR/Cas9 Editing Efficiency to Generate a GBA1 KO due to Pseudogene-induced Homology Directed Repair

Improving CRISPR/Cas9 Editing Efficiency to Generate a GBA1 KO due to Pseudogene-induced Homology Directed Repair

Introduction: The capability to translate research to the clinic is contingent upon the ability to study disease-causing mutations from patients in a cell type specific manner. This is most commonly accomplished through the introduction of these disease-causing mutations in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and their subsequent differentiation. However, in certain cases, editing these genes […]

3. Epigenetic Therapy Activates TE-chimeric Transcripts to Provide an Additional Source of Glioblastoma HLA-I Antigens

Epigenetic Therapy Activates TE-chimeric Transcripts to Provide an Additional Source of Glioblastoma HLA-I Antigens

Introduction: Inhibiting epigenetic modulators can transcriptionally reactivate transposable elements (TEs). These TE transcripts often generate unique peptides that can serve as novel antigens for immunotherapy. Here, we asked if TEs activated by epigenetic therapy could appreciably increase the antigen repertoire in glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer with low mutation and neoantigen burden. Methods: We treated […]

4. Digital Light 4D Printing of Bioresorbable Shape Memory Elastomers for Personalized Aneurysm Occlusion

Digital Light 4D Printing of Bioresorbable Shape Memory Elastomers for Personalized Aneurysm Occlusion

Introduction: Globally, aneurysms affect 2-5% and afflict millions in the U.S., presenting significant health threats due to their high rupture rate that can lead to death. Conventional aneurysm coil treatments grapple with problems such as adverse bodily reactions, biocompatibility issues, and a recurrence risk of about 20%, with complete occlusion failures in 10-15% of patients […]

5. Evaluating the Effect of an Ovine Acellular Dermal Matrix on Breast Implant Capsule Formation Using a Rodent Model

Evaluating the Effect of an Ovine Acellular Dermal Matrix on Breast Implant Capsule Formation Using a Rodent Model

Introduction: Implant-based breast augmentation is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries with over one million procedures performed to date using silicone implants. In 2022, 78% of breast reconstruction surgeries after mastectomy were also implant-based. Despite this popularity, over 10% of patients experience postoperative capsular contracture, potentially resulting in pain and distorted appearance. Current literature […]

6. Next Generation of Tissue Adhesive for Obliteration of Surgical Dead Space

Next Generation of Tissue Adhesive for Obliteration of Surgical Dead Space

Introduction: Many surgical procedures create large dead spaces prone to fluid accumulation, leading to hematomas and seromas. Drains are used to prevent these complications, but they often cause patient discomfort and have potential for infection. Our objective is to develop a biodegradable tissue adhesive with strong adhesion and biocompatibility to obliterate surgical dead space. Methods: […]