Synapse - Life Sciences News Digest of the Medical center of the americas

Sierra Medical Center announced on April 4 it has acquired the MAKOplasty system, which offers people who have knee and hip issues access to less invasive, less painful surgeries with rapid recovery time. Sierra is the first to acquire the technology in the El Paso region and is now performing MAKOplasty partial knee resurfacing. Soon the hospital will also offer MAKOplasty Hip, total hip replacement surgery performed using the RIO system, a highly advanced, surgeon-controlled robotic arm system that enables... [more]

The University of Texas System recently launched a new portal that allows web visitors to search for information regarding technology commercialization and research capabilities, patents and technologies covering activities at UT institutions. The Research and Technology Search Engine allows people to search for an array of data sources, including research and technology experts, news, centers, facilities and laboratory web pages within the UT System.

Users also will be able to search for patent assets at all UT System institutions matched to a contact... [more]

  Integrated Medical Systems (IMS) has been selected by the Texas Emerging Technology Fund for funding and will be commercializing their technology in El Paso. UTEP and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center are partnering with them on commercialization of LS-1, which was originally designed for the military. The LS-1 is a portable unit intended to supply intensive care functionality for adult and pediatric patients. The 40-pound unit combines the... [more]

Faculty and students at the University of Texas at El Paso will be using one of the world’s most powerful microscopes – the cryo-electron microscope – to aid in structural biochemistry research with possible cancer-treatment applications. The $1.8 million instrument, funded in large part by a National Science Foundation Grant – is housed in the new Chemistry and Computer Science Building on the UTEP campus. It will allow investigators to view things at nearly an atomic level.
... [more]

El Paso City Council’s Feb. 7^th decision to allocate 75 percent of the city’s Impact Fund to the MCA Foundation will result in accelerated growth of the MCA campus; but what may be most exciting and least reported by news media is the MCA Foundation’s plans to create a biotech industry in El Paso. Central to the plan is the creation of an [more]

A pair of Utah entrepreneurs recently signed an agreement with the University of Texas at El Paso to develop technology created at UTEP for health care applications. Scientist Douglas Steel, PhD, and businessman Fred Jaeger, owners of Photokinetics, Inc., agreed in December to start clinical trials in El Paso based on patented and patent-pending research done by UTEP’s Carl Dirk, PhD, professor of chemistry.

“I am extremely excited about this partnership and pleased that something that I... [more]

IBM has pledged more than $90,000 in hardware to the University of Texas at El Paso that will bolster research capabilities and help the university to achieve its goal of becoming a nationally recognized major research university.  The Shared University Research Award will support a new High Performance Computing Virtual Research Laboratory (HPCVRL). The new equipment shifts UTEP’s research engineers and scientists’ efforts away from information technology support and concentrates it on scientific and engineering research. The award consists of... [more]

TTUHSC-El Paso’s Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine has experienced a series of important milestones in a short amount of time. First by expanding their GI motility services, then by introducing endoscopic ultrasound and now by adding the latest in endoscopy - balloon assisted enteroscopy.

“It’s only been in the last few years that these endoscopes have come into wide spread use and we’re the first in El Paso to offer this procedure,” said Marc Zuckerman, MD, professor of internal... [more]

The National Institutes of Health has launched the Transfer Agreement Dashboard, or TAD, to streamline the transfer of NIH-developed research materials to the biomedical research community. According to NIH, "The system reduces dramatically the transaction time for transferring NIH-developed materials, addressing a Presidential directive to better facilitate technology transfer and commercialization activities."

TAD website                  NIH release   

 New Mexico State University's Human Performance Laboratory recently acquired several pieces of equipment. It includes an exercise stress test system that allows students to investigate electrocardiograms, a mobile breath-by-breath metabolic analysis system that measures metabolic and lung function, and a dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanner that measures bone density and body composition. The Human Performance Lab is part of NMSU's Department of Human Performance, Dance and Recreation. The new equipment is the same used in hospitals and Olympic training centers,... [more]

The University of Texas at El Paso College of Engineering is working with Frank Cappuccio, retired Lockheed Martin executive vice president, to develop a strategy aimed at integrating progressive companies into the education and research mission of the College of Engineering. The premise is that technology-based companies need to play an active role in the attraction of young people to engineering if the U.S. is to maintain its innovation edge. As part of this strategy, Lockheed Martin is contributing $600,000... [more]

The Paso del Norte Health Foundation is developing a system that will make patients' digital health information available to hospitals, physicians, pharmacies and labs in El Paso anywhere, anytime.  Right now, the Paso del Norte Health Foundation is asking El Paso physicians to show their support for the local health information exchange by signing a letter affirming they are open to the idea.

These "health information exchanges" have gained traction nationwide since funding was made available with the passage of the... [more]

Saturday's issue of the Wall Street Journal reported on spinal surgeons who hold an ownership interest in a medical-device company whose products they use in surgery. According to the article, "...this is far from unique in the world of back surgery. Rather than use spinal implants from third-party manufacturers, scores of surgeons have started their own device makers to churn out similar designs, putting themselves in a position to benefit financially from the hardware they insert into patients. Critics of... [more]

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Oct. 7 announced they "have established a pilot program for concurrent review of certain FDA premarket review submissions for medical devices and CMS national coverage determinations. By reducing the interval between FDA marketing approval and Medical coverage, this process will facilitate the development of innovative products and shorten the time it takes to bring these important products to patients."

Any interested sponsors who believe their... [more]

The West Texas Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (WTxHITREC) has recognized Jose Luna, M.D., chief clinical officer at Centro San Vicente Family Health Center, as a Physician Champion.  Luna’s recognition is for his leadership in the national transition toward electronic health records.  Under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, all Americans must have access to electronic health records (EHR) by 2014. Doctors not using EHR will lose a percentage of their Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement fees starting in 2015.

The... [more]

Nearly a dozen faculty and staff at The University of Texas at El Paso were awarded iPad 2s today to be used for a technology initiative project.  The College of Health Sciences Technology Initiative aims to ensure connectivity between the new Health Sciences and Nursing Building on the UTEP campus and the old building on Campbell Street.  Another goal of the initiative is to provide state-of-the-art tools to assist faculty and staff to contribute to key UTEP, College of Health... [more]

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall visited the NMSU campus Aug. 9 to announce he will soon introduce legislation in the Senate to ensure a more level playing field for the algal biofuels industry. The U.S. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 established a production target of 36 billion gallons of advanced biofuels by 2022, with separate volume requirements for each category of renewable fuel. It also required life cycle analyses be used to... [more]

Two-thirds of small medical device and diagnostic companies -- the drivers of innovation in the sector -- are obtaining clearance for new products in Europe first, suggesting delayed market entry in the U.S., according to a comprehensive industry survey about FDA’s 510(k) product review process by researchers at Northwestern University. Large and small companies reported that unclear guidelines, inconsistent implementation, and lead reviewer turnover are contributing to increasing unpredictability of the process.

EurekAlert! 

Jeni Clark, BSME, the associate director... [more]

New Mexico State University’s Chile Pepper Institute has worked for years in crossbreeding and combining chile varieties for delectable culinary experiences. Now, researchers in the university’s Department of Industrial Engineering are looking at ways to combine chile plants with plastic to create an environmentally friendly and reinforced plastic product. If successful, it could be a significant income generator for New Mexicans. New Mexico is the nation's leader in chile... [more]

William Beaumont Army Medical Center conducted its first positron emitted tomography (PET) scan recently. The PET/CT camera, most advanced in the region, acquires and fuses PET data and computed tomography (CT) data simultaneously. The technology uses a lower dose of radiotracer, reducing radiation exposure to patients. Overseeing the project and scanning of the first patient was Maj. Kevin Schlegel, a nuclear medicine physician. The PET information shows metabolism (glucose use) in the body and the CT reveals the anatomy.  PET... [more]

New Mexico State University's Arrowhead Center has agreed to work with White Sands Missile Range to pursue potential business development opportunities in the fields of national security, space and aerospace, alternative energy initiatives and technologies with both military and civilian applications. The collaboration will support the Arrowhead Center's mission of economic development and WSMR's mission of research, development, testing and evaluation.

Release   

In March, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) brought together leaders of the scientific community for a two-day symposium to explore ways to engage basic scientists in translational research. FASEB’s steering committee that organized the meeting is now focused on developing a white paper describing the major recommendations that emerged from the meeting.

FASEB Website       

New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center is working with the New Mexico Small Business Assistance program to help small businesses get assistance from laboratory scientists or engineers for projects that require testing, design, consultation and access to special equipment or facilities. To be eligible for the program, small businesses must be for-profit, New Mexico-based, American owned and operated, pay New Mexico gross receipts taxes and fall under the small business definition of the Small Business Administration. The Arrowhead Center works... [more]

El Paso Commissioners Court this week approved a plan by Utah-based Ruby Mountain Inc. to seek federal money to study geothermal possibilities at Fort Bliss. The post lies atop a geothermal zone that extends from Truth or Consequences, through El Paso County and on to Sierra Blanca. If engineers and scientists can find a way to make it work, the project could have broad implications for the development of geothermal energy in the U.S., said Jon Lear, founder of Ruby... [more]

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and the Paso del Norte Regional Technology Incubator (The Hub) will work with the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) and UT Austin’s Austin Technology Incubator (ATI) to establish one of two new clean energy technology incubation programs in Texas.  To start these programs, SECO will provide $200,000 of federally sourced support to UTEP, and ATI’s Clean Energy Incubator will provide training, experience and networks based on its 12 years of experience. ... [more]

Border Solar, an El Paso solar installation company, is about to begin construction on a $10 million solar panel project at two prisons in Otero County, about six miles north of El Paso's city limits. The project will have more than 23,000 solar panels on 15.8 acres on Otero County land outside the two prisons. When completed in June or July, it will produce 2 megawatts of power.  James Frawner, warden of the Otero County Prison, said the solar project... [more]

To attain energy independence by 2015, Fort Bliss is considering a number of renewable energy projects:

1.      a waste-to-energy plant that would burn waste as fuel to produce between 80 and 100 megawatts of power

2.      a joint venture with El Paso Electric to build a solar thermal pond that would produce an additional 40 megawatts of energy; any excess energy would be sold back to El Paso Electric

3.      large-scale solar and wind plants for the production of about 50 megawatts each

4.     ... [more]

New Mexico State University's Arrowhead Center is working with Sandia National Laboratories and their New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program to launch new ideas and technologies. The project helps small businesses facing technical challenges access the unique expertise and capabilities of the state's national labs at no cost to the businesses.

"We're looking for new and innovative ideas and technologies that we can help take to the next level," said Dawn Hommer, a business incubation specialist at... [more]

Last week, New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center opened Studio G, a business incubator designed for current NMSU students and those who have graduated within the past five years. The application process is ongoing, with innovative ideas more likely to be selected. Applicants should have at least a two-person operation. Once selected, participants will receive workspace, phone and Internet lines, a conference room and other administrative resources needed to start a business.

Article

This summer, more than 3,000 soldiers returning from combat will arrive at Fort Bliss and begin testing new equipment.  Fort Bliss is to become the permanent home of a brigade that will be dedicated to the testing and evaluation of new technology. The effort is an Army initiative to reform its procurement system, and to expedite the process of delivering new equipment to deployed soldiers.

The new brigade will test the Army’s next-generation communications network that would give soldiers access to... [more]

Fort Bliss and its goal toward achieving status as a net-zero energy installation is being featured in a video online. Net zero means producing more renewable energy than it consumes. The goal includes, not only energy, but waste and water. The installation will rely on current technology and future technology to meet the goal of hitting net zero in less than five years. Fort Bliss is the Army's largest training center in the U.S.

U.S. Government website

The Austin Technology Incubator (ATI) wants to work to start new clean energy companies in El Paso and San Antonio, said the ATI’s director, Isaac Barchas. The Austin Technology Incubator is a University of Texas effort to spawn clean tech companies.

Austin American-Statesman              

El Paso Electric is moving toward a possible $225 million investment in solar farms in the El Paso region.  El Paso Electric doesn’t know yet how many acres the solar farms will cover, but the utility will probably have to purchase additional land unless it can work out a deal with Fort Bliss, which has an aggressive green campaign.

El Paso Inc.

MDL Enterprises has received a U.S. patent for its wind-driven electric power generation technology. The start-up, which is based in New Mexico with offices in Albuquerque and El Paso, develops wind- and water-driven electric power generation technology for small-scaled applications.

MDL Enterprises

The El Paso Inc. has reported that Cottonwood Capital Partners has made its opening investments, and has raised more than $50 million. Cottonwood opened at the end of 2009, hoping to capitalize on the Southwest’s growing technology and bio-medical sectors. Cottonwood is the first venture capital firm to be headquartered in El Paso.

El Paso Inc.  

Innovate El Paso will choose 25 women from El Paso and Las Cruces to be the inaugural class of its Odyssey Program, an eight-month entrepreneurship program designed to teach women how to develop their own high growth, scalable companies. Participants will learn how to access capital, license technology, assemble an advisory board, and more. The program takes place Tuesday nights from 6 to 9 p.m. from Feb. 8 through September at El Paso Community College, 9050 Viscount Blvd. Tuition is... [more]

New Mexico State University has created the Algal Bioenergy Program, a centralized effort to coordinate research and economic development opportunities related to fuels made from algae. NMSU currently has scientists researching every step of the algae production process, including cultivating, harvesting, extracting, refining and fuel testing. NMSU is also investigating the sustainability and economic impacts of algae production, which would support a variety of products. The university is part of a consortium awarded $44 million earlier this year by the... [more]

Two New Mexico State University professors have created a computer software program to generate approximate 3-D models of complex and unknown proteins, allowing biomedical scientists to save time, money and energy that could be spent researching treatments and cures for viruses like influenza or Ebola. Computer Science Professor Son Cao Tran and Computer Science Department Head Enrico Pontelli have developed software to allow scientists to investigate 3-D models of unknown large proteins in significantly less time without the use of... [more]

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has awarded TMAC an $850,000 grant to improve the competitiveness of industries in an eight-state region by accelerating the transition of technology from research to production. TMAC is a partnership that includes The University of Texas at El Paso, The University of Texas - Pan American, the University of Houston, Texas Tech University, the Texas Engineering Extension Service of Texas A&M System and Southwest Research Institute. Formerly the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center, TMAC is... [more]

New Mexico State University's College of Engineering has announced the second annual Technology Forum and Exchange and invites submissions of abstracts before Nov. 1.  The event, dubbed “Research to Realization,” will be held Feb. 21-22 on NMSU's Las Cruces campus.  The forum seeks to stimulate interaction among researchers, program managers and entrepreneurs to create new relationships and foster collaborative opportunities.

Forum

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson announced $200,000 in Recovery Act funding for New Mexico State University. NMSU’s Renewable Energy, Water and Arid Lands Task Force will use some of the money on projects such as a new solar power system for water distribution and a biodiesel project fueled by algae. Abbas Ghassemi, NMSU professor of chemical engineering, is involved with the project.

Magazine

Release

Fort Bliss’ strategic investment in renewable energy and conservation has proven profitable after two years of implementation. Fort Bliss is producing more than 1.3 percent of its renewable energy needs, including 10 percent in conservation. The goal is to produce 7.5 percent renewable energy by 2015.

Ft. Bliss Monitor

Houston-based Red Oak Instruments has partnered with Thompson Sarkodie-Gyan, Ph.D., from UTEP to embark on a joint research and commercialization of neurorehabilitation technologies.  The unique biomechanical measurements taken from the upper half of the body by Red Oak's technology, combined with the lower half gait analysis using Dr. Sarkodie-Gyan's Gait Trainer are the crux of a joint SBIR proposal.

Red Oak                             Sarkodie-Gyan