The members of the BioInspired Institute perform research that is both relevant to current events and accessible to the general public. Public events such as lectures, panel discussions, and science explainers is a great way to engage new audiences and educate them about the mission and accomplishments of BioInspired and Syracuse University.
- How does COVID-19 work and how can we stop it? (November 2020)
- Rags to Riches: Using Cancer’s Secrets to Design Advanced Nanomaterials (March 2021)
- From Form to Function: the Advanced Manufacturing of Smart Structures (December 2021)
- “Smart” Tools & Robotics – Today’s Critical Battlefield Aid to Heal Wounded Service Members (June 2022)
How does COVID-19 work and how can we stop it?
November 2020
This public presentation brings you into the labs of some of BioInspired’s top scientists, who shared how they are working against the virus that has circled the globe and how their discoveries may lead to improved understanding of existing therapies and for development of new antiviral drugs.
BioInspired Director and William R. Kenan Junior Professor of Physics Lisa Manning spoke with physics faculty Alison Patteson and Jennifer Schwarz about their collaborative work on how COVID-19 gets through the cell’s skeleton and how drugs may be selected to block the pathways used by the virus. Also, we learned about how the parts of the COVID-19 virus that help it attach to the edge of the cell may make it more infectious but also present another target for drug therapies, from James Hougland, professor of chemistry.
Rags to Riches: Using Cancer’s Secrets to Design Advanced Nanomaterials
March 2021
Shikha Nangia’s research focuses on computational modeling of biological systems to inform the development of nanotechnology. By modeling how environmental exposures change DNA in cancer and other diseases, she’s unlocking how gene expression changes biological systems at the molecular level. Davoud Mozhdehi wants to transcend the limitations of biological building blocks to create nanoscale biomaterials that can accomplish things that nature can’t.
As part of Syracuse University’s BioInspired Institute for Materials and Living Systems, Nangia and Mozhdehi are helping to create the building blocks for a nanomedicine revolution with broad potential to bring hope and cures where none currently exist. In this public presentation, Nangia and Mozhdehi discussed how their understanding of molecular systems can lead to big changes in how we treat disease.
From Form to Function: the Advanced Manufacturing of Smart Structures
December 2021
Inspired from refined structures found in nature, Pranav Soman develops new processing and printing technologies to create structures using biological materials. His group has developed a technology toolbox to address challenges in the fields of single cell biology, developmental biology, disease modeling, and tissue regeneration. Chris Santangelo applies techniques from geometry and origami to understand and design shape-shifting materials that can fold themselves from a flat sheet to a three-dimensional structure. He aims to realize new ways to make complex shapes from tiny to large.
As the leaders of the Smart Materials group in BioInspired, Soman and Santangelo work at the forefront of advanced materials research to bring us the next generation of biomedical devices, machines, and responsive structures. In this public presentation they discussed how their work on advanced manufacturing techniques and fundamental materials understanding and control can lead to the tools of the future.
“Smart” Tools & Robotics – Today’s Critical Battlefield Aid to Heal Wounded Service Members
June 2022
Join the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) for a VetNet webinar in partnership with the Syracuse University BioInspired Institute team Dr. Mary Beth Monroe and Dr. Victor Duenas, and learn how their research is impacting the military-connected community.
Uncontrolled hemorrhage is the leading cause of potentially preventable death on the battlefield. Once the patient is stabilized, they face long-term sensory or motor deficits that must be addressed with rehabilitation. Current research at Syracuse University addresses this spectrum of traumatic wound healing. Dr. Mary Beth Monroe focuses on using ‘smart’ materials to rapidly stop bleeding so that patients can safely reach the hospital. Dr. Victor Duenas develops control systems for lower limb rehabilitation robotics to improve range of motion and neuromuscular function during long-term healing. These combined research efforts improve acute and chronic healing outcomes for wounded service members.