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Advancing Health Solutions
Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, advanced equipment capabilities and staffed with experienced personnel, ASU Core Research Facilities offers a variety of services to advance research dedicated to human health.
This month, we highlight our support for cancer research, stem cell therapy, drug development and advancements in diabetes, organ failure and regenerative medicine. We also cover efforts in therapy development for cancer, brain disorders and slow-healing wounds, along with brain metabolism studies. Plus, updates from the Clinical Research Services Core and an introduction to CHiR.
Assistant Professor Dr. Jessica Weaver of the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering isdeveloping pO2 reporter composite hydrogels (PORCH) to measure oxygen levels in microencapsulation devices, which protect transplanted cells and reduce the need for immune suppression.
Researchers found that PTN can still bind to heparin, a type of GAG, even when parts of its structure are missing, offering new insights into cell communication and growth. These findings could inform treatments for cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and wound healing.
The Research Computing Core Facility supports and advances research with the KE Secure Cloud. The KE Secure Cloud is a secure computing environment for ASU research supporting health studies and multi-institution collaborations while meeting FERPA, HIPAA and CUI compliance.
KE Secure Cloud provides ASRE Virtual Desktops for secure, customizable research environments and access to the Aloe Supercomputer. It enables health data access and collaboration among researchers in the domains of infectious disease, clinical research, social determinants of health and more.
The IDF Machine Shop team used their Hardinge Super Precision Lathe in a labor-intensive process to fabricate these small restraints.
While this study focused on fly brains, this method could help researchers better understand metabolic changes linked to neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, potentially leading to new drug targets and treatments.
The Health Observatory at ASU uses real-time, data-driven insights to track and mitigate health crises, creating a more equitable and resilient health care system. This model not only improves health outcomes in Arizona but can also scale nationally to inform public health decisions.
The Research Computing Core is developing a platform for the Health Observatory that enables data integration across multiple domains, including social and environmental factors, and facilitates collaboration with improved secure data-sharing capabilities.
The Clinical Research Services Core Facility is growing, with new staff and equipment enhancing its services to better support clinical research needs.
Advancements in blood analysis and phlebotomy technology are improving accuracy, efficiency and patient outcomes. Automated blood analyzers reduce human error, while enhanced needle systems make blood collection more comfortable. The Clinical Research Services Core Facility remains committed to integrating these innovations for the highest level of care and precision.
Immunoassays enhance the accuracy and efficiency of laboratory analyses in the Clinical Research Services Core Facility. The Beckman Coulter Au480 ensures high-throughput, reliable processing of complex immunoassays, while the Access 2 Immunoassay System delivers precise results with low sample volumes. These advanced analyzers support fast turnaround times, contributing to informed clinical decisions and improved patient care.
The Clinical Exercise Physiology Laboratory is expanding its testing capabilities with new equipment, including an environmental chamber. These advancements will support research in performance, metabolic and disease-related testing. More updates on exercise testing will be shared soon.
The Clinical Research Services Core recently expanded its equipment with imaging machines with a new GE Dexa and a Philips Epic Elite Ultrasound machine, furthering their ability to provide high-quality imaging. These advancements enable them to conduct more accurate assessments and offer a range of ultrasound and Dexa exams; the gold standard for Body Composition testing.
For over 25 years, the Center for Health Information & Research (CHiR) has served as a community resource and partner for organizations and individuals, providing comprehensive information, data analytics and reporting for all types of uses.
CHiR's dynamic interdisciplinary team is comprised of talented individuals from diverse backgrounds who combine their collective experience from a variety of industries to assist you in understanding health and health care today.
Health data scientists experienced in working with a wealth of health data to conduct data engineering, analytics, statistical programming, modeling, data visualization and reporting.
Faculty associates who are experts in health policy, health economics, epidemiology, clinical practice, informatics and other areas.
State-of-the-art technology, a secure environment and analytic tools and methods for sophisticated and timely analyses.
Knowledge of the latest research and policy changes at the federal and state level and understanding of health systems.
Interpretations of data nuances for complete and accurate analyses and reporting of results.
Support for faculty, staff and student health studies across ASU; research and health care operations assistance to local health systems, state agencies, community health centers, clinics, other organizations and technical assistance to inform multi-state research studies.
Authored by: Camila de Ávila, Anna Gugula, Aleksandra Trenk, Anthony J. Intorcia, Crystal Suazo, Jennifer Nolz, Julie Plamondon, Divyanshi Khatri, Lauren Tallant, Alexandre Caron, Anna Blasiak, Geidy E. Serrano, Thomas G. Beach, Andrew L. Gundlach and Diego F. Mastroeni
The Regenerative Medicine Core, part of our Biosciences Core, is honored to have supported this research with our Olympus VS200 Slide Scanner. This upright automated slide scanning microscope is equipped with two cameras: a Hamamatsu sCMOS Orca Fusion and a CMOS color camera.
Abstract
The study identifies a novel memory center in the human brain, known as the nucleus incertus (NI) and provides a detailed neurochemical characterization of this region. The findings suggest that the NI plays a significant role in various cognitive functions.
Introduction
NI is a brainstem region historically described with an uncertain function, but recent research highlights its role in spatial and contextual fear memory through connections with the septohippocampal system. NI neurons also produce the relaxin-3, which influences learning and memory processes.
Conclusion
The study confirms that the anatomy and neurochemistry of the NI are preserved across species. Key markers related to the GABAergic system, stress response and phosphorylated-tau in Alzheimer’s disease were identified in human NI neurons.
