Access to Rapid Magnetic 3D Printing of Human Cells May Revolutionize Research Labs

Medicine

The development of 3D printing within the biological sector may mean the end of using animals for medical testing.

Earlier this year, a team of engineers from McMaster University in Canada developed a 3D printing technique that uses magnets to rapidly create artificial tumors which allows researchers to test new therapies and drugs.

This invention will also allow for personalized medications to match symptoms, instead of receiving the standardised one-size-fits-all treatments, as 3D printed cells can be manipulated to suit different researches.

The Engineers believe this new technique will allow researchers to create accurate 3D cell clusters with various cells layers to better match conditions inside the human body for regenerative medicine research.

According to a study published in Science Partner Journal, they (the engineers) were able to print 3D cancer tumor cells within six hours using the method.

If this method is to be successful,  this will eliminate the need for animals during studies altogether. After all, replicating 3D structures of human tissues will give researchers more accurate information about a medication’s results as it is closer to human biology than using animals.

The technology will also speed up the process of drug development by replacing the simpler testing on human cells in Petri dishes; further saving hundreds of millions of dollars from getting wasted on unsuccessful drug candidates that fail during human clinical trials.

“We have developed an engineering solution to overcome current biological limitations. It has the potential to expedite tissue engineering technology and regenerative medicine,” said Sarah Mishriki, a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Biomedical Engineering and lead author. “The ability to rapidly manipulate cells in a safe, controllable and non-contact manner allows us to create the unique cell landscapes and microarchitectures found in human tissues, without the use of a scaffold.”

“This magnetic method of producing 3D cell clusters takes us closer to rapidly and economically creating more complex models of biological tissues, speeding discovery in academic labs and technology solutions for industry,” said Rakesh Sahu, a research associate.

This Will Make Your Tail Wag: Atlanta-based PuppyFax to connect responsible breeders, owners

puppy

Not much is cuter than a puppy, as they (usually) come with a wagging tail and unconditional love. But when searching for a pup, how can you be sure they didn’t come from a puppy mill or have hidden health issues? An Atlanta-based startup via the University of Georgia wants to give potential dog owners piece of mind with its newest app, PuppyFax.

Like searching for a new-to-you car, PuppyFax, founded by Tommy Naranjo and co-founded by Preston Tucker, provides prospective dog owners with a pup’s lineage and owner history. In an article for The Red & Black, Tucker’s family bought a German Shepherd, only to experience health complications with the new pup. The dog, according to the family’s vet, came from an irresponsible breeder, likely one who was operating a puppy mill. For context, a puppy mill is defined as an establishment that breeds puppies for sale, typically on an intensive basis and in conditions regarded as inhumane. According to the American SPCA, puppies who are reared in a puppy mill can come with health and behavioral problems that are difficult or impossible to treat–comparable to a car that has been ‘abused’ by a previous owner.

“PuppyFax is basically a platform, kind of like Airbnb, that connects people who are searching for a puppy, and they’re wanting a purebred dog or are going through a breeder, to responsible breeders,” Naranjo said. The app will allow owners to view a puppy’s verified health documents and pedigree information. All PuppyFax breeders must meet the guidelines set by the platform.

Naranjo hopes to expand the PuppyFax application nationwide to help breeders, buyers and dogs across the U.S. The app is set to launch “very soon.” The PuppyFax website can be located by clicking here.

Working on innovative platforms like PuppyFax? Did you know that you can receive up to 14% back on your research expenses with the R&D Tax Credit? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is a Specialist R&D tax advisory firm, offering tax credibility assessments, claim preparation, and advisory services. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program in Texas, from claim prep & audit compliance to claim disputes. 

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPA’s.  For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Helmets and Technology: is Safer Football a possible reality?

football

Few things are as American as Buffalo wings and Super Bowl Sunday. But as scientific studies uncover the debilitating long-term effects of contact sports, there is uncertainty about the longevity of football in American society.  Football players are at a high risk of developing Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease caused by repetitive brain trauma. In 2011, former NFL defensive back David “Dave” Duerson took his own life because the devastating symptoms of CTE – from depression, mood swings, and memory loss – proved too much to bear. His son Tregg Duerson has since become a fierce proponent of safer football initiatives to reduce the risk of CTE among NFL and aspiring football players, especially since there is no cure for the disease and its effects worsen with time.

Football is becoming more competitive as its players get bigger, faster, and stronger. However, this also means a greater likelihood of injury. On average, players are exposed to 50-60 violent blows to the head in one professional game, according to a study by Stanford University. Players can develop concussions as a result of these blows but a Boston University study found that even without signs of concussion, repetitive hits to the head can lead to CTE. Players are at risk, not just in the NFL or big games like the Super Bowl, but also in college-level and high school-level games and practices. Since no definite diagnosis of CTE can be made until after the patient has died – although scientists are experimenting with ways to improve detection prior to death – preventative measures are necessary.

In some ways, avoiding football is the safest guarantee. Legislation in Illinois and New York have already been introduced to ban football among pre-teens, thereby mitigating the risk of repetitive head trauma among young players whose brains are still in development. Parents are increasingly resistant to enrolling their children in football because of these dangers. Justin Timberlake reportedly stated of his 2-year-old son Silas, “Uh, he will never play football. No, no”.

Even so, it is unlikely the sport will disappear altogether from American culture. Helmet technology, for one, has improved drastically in the past year alone. Vicis, for example, was formed in 2013 by neurosurgeons and engineers. It released its Zero 1 helmet last season which is designed with a tighter fit and with plastic columns in the helmet shell that compress and shift to deflect the impact of a blow to the head.  Riddell likewise developed its Precision Fit helmet which is customized for each individual player to provide better protection. As well, the company designed an InSite monitoring system that measures the head-impact exposure of players, providing coaches and players with tools on how to improve a player’s style to reduce the likelihood of head injuries. Similarly, Prevent Biometrics introduced its Head Impact Monitor System (HIMS) which uses sensors to detect collisions immediately and to notify players and coaches to seek medical attention when necessary.

These tools may become integral to the safer football initiative but they are not yet affordable for non-NFL leagues such as at the college or high school level. The Zero 1 helmet, for one, costs $950 per piece. The Riddell Precision Fit costs $1750.  Evidently, there is still room for improvement.

Are you experimenting with developing safer football helmets or monitoring tools that are more affordable and effective for football players? Did you know your experiments, even those that were unsuccessful, could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you could receive 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE credits as well as CPE credits for CPA’s.  For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

U.S. Department of Health partnering with Johnson & Johnson company in R&D initiative to prevent pandemics.

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced they will enter a public-private partnership with Janssen Research and Development, a company owned by well-known corporate giant Johnson & Johnson.  The purpose of the partnership is to perform R&D of products that could aid in treatment and prevention of emerging infectious diseases, some with the potential to cause a pandemic.

According to Johnson & Johnson, the scale of this research is too high for any company or government to achieve on its on, but by bringing together the efforts of the private and public sector, the partners believe achievements can be made.  Combined skills and resources can be used to advance their research and aim to develop treatments for influenza and prevention methods should a pandemic arise.

Influenza affects more than one billion individuals each year with up to 500,000 deaths.  The partnership will continue research on a drug developed by Janssen, which could prevent the influenza virus from replicating and spreading in the body.  Also included in the project will be research on vaccines to protect against a wide range of seasonal and pandemic viruses.

The Department of Health and Human Services will provide the project with up to $43 million for R&D in the first year and up to $273 million over five years.  Janssen has agreed they will match the Department’s contribution and both parties will jointly manage operations and resources and share costs associated with this R&D project.

R&D investment in the medical and health industry has been growing in recent years and is expected to continue growing as investments advance.  R&D Tax Credits can support businesses in any industry in furthering their research and development initiatives.  If you would like to find out how your business could benefit from R&D tax credits, contact a Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisor today.