Big Ideas, Small Features: Utilizing Advanced Microscopic and Nanoscale Technologies to Further Human Healthcare

This initiative of the Harvard Catalyst Translational Innovator Program provided funding of up to $50,000 in funding and access to the Harvard Center for Biological Imaging (HCBI), which features advanced Zeiss microscopes, or the Center for Nanoscale Systems (CNS), that offers electron microscopy, nanoscale fabrication, and nanoscale analysis capabilities, or access to both. Funding will support the innovative application of light and electron microscopy, nanoscale fabrication, and nanoscale analysis technologies for big ideas that will advance clinical healthcare. The goal of this opportunity was to support innovative research projects that could provide new insights into: (1) the application of new technologies to inform clinical decisions; (2) disease detection, causation, progression, or treatment; or (3) the development of new therapeutics, diagnostics, or clinically informative biomarkers.

Eight pilot grants were awarded in amounts of up to $50,000 for each one-year project. Funding decisions were announced in August 2016.

Sponsoring Program

Translational Innovator

Awardees

Elena Aikawa, MD | PNP-Hydrogel Delivers miRNA to 3D-Bioprinted Calcific Aortic Valve Disease Model
Giorgio Bonmassar, PhD| Advancing Coil Design in Micromagnetic Brain Stimulation (µMS)
David Frank, MD, PhD | Optimization of Drug Delivery by Tumor-Targeting Layer-by Layer Nanoparticles
James Kirby, MD | A Microscopy-Based Platform For Rapid, At-will Antimicrobial Resistance Testing
Eric Mazur, PhD | Laser-activated Plasmonic Intracellular Delivery: Using Micropyramids to Deliver CRISPR-Cas9 to Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs)
Daniel Needleman, PhD, | Metabolic Imaging of Mouse Embryos to Determine Safety of 1-Photon FLIM for Clinical Applications in In Vitro Fertilization
William Shih, PhD | Massively Multiplexed in situ Imaging with Kinetic Barcoding
Johnathan Whetstine, PhD | Uncovering Molecular Features Associated with DNA Copy Amplifications