The Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron is working to pioneer the next generation of life-enhancing and life-saving innovation by sponsoring innovative research and commercialization through its inaugural Collaborative Research and Development grant program. The eight funded projects recognize novel work across ABIA’s five founding members – Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron General Health System, Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, Summa Health System and The University of Akron – focused on patient-centered innovation and commercialization at the intersection of biomaterials and medicine.

The sponsored projects are conducted through ABIA’s Center for Biomaterials and Medicine, which focuses on core strengths in biopolymers, orthopaedics and wound healing to leverage research into high-value clinical applications aimed at accelerating biomedical innovations.

ABIA’s program is funding highly promising investigations such as:

  • Contact lenses that monitor blood sugar levels for diabetics
  • Delivery of a patient’s own altered cells to repair damage in deep wounds, for instance after a heart attack
  • Special polymers in which pharmaceuticals can be embedded that may lead to healing of chronic wounds
  • Non-invasive methods to monitor stress and strain on nerves in surgical operations
  • Materials that will increase natural bone growth for patients with severe trauma, cancer or birth defects

ABIA’s initial funded projects focused on patient-centered innovation and commercialization at the intersection of biomaterials and medicine include:

Development of a Polymer Platform for Drug Eluting Prosthetic Devices
Judit E. Puskas, Ph.D., P.E., The University of Akron
Steve Schmidt, Ph.D., Summa Health System

Real-Time in situ Sensing of Ulnar Nerve Strain for Injury Prevention and Diagnosis
Zhenhai Xia, Ph.D., The University of Akron
Juay Seng Tan, Ph.D., The University of Akron
Nina M. Njus, M.D., Summa Health System, Summit Hand Center – Crystal Clinic Inc.

Development of Biomimetic Liquid Crystal Films for Sugar Sensing Contact Lens in Noninvasive Real-Time Diabetic Care
J. Jack Hu, Ph.D., Akron Medvision, The University of Akron
Deepak Edward, M.D., Summa-Health System

Controlled Delivery System of ALK-5 Inhibitors for Suppression of Ocular Scarring after Glaucoma Filtration Surgery
Vijaykumar Sutariya, Ph.D., Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy
Hiroshi Nakamura, MD, Ph.D., Summa Health System
Werner Geldenhuys, Ph.D., Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy

Deep Wound Repair Utilizing Microtubular Scaffolds  
Liya Yin, Ph.D., Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy
Bi-min Zhang Newby, Ph.D., The University of Akron
William M. Chilian, Ph.D., Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy
Robert Schweikert, M.D., Akron General Medical Center

Development of Delivery Mechanisms for Liquid Crystalline Pharmaceuticals Using Electrospinning
James M. Jamison, Ph.D., Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, Summa Health System, Kent State University
Yang H. Yun, Ph.D., The University of Akron
Vivian E.von Gruenigen, M.D., Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and
Pharmacy, Case Western Reserve University
Chun-che Tsai, Ph.D., Kent State University

A Basis for Normal and Abnormal Cartilage Development in Vertebrate Long Bone  
William J. Landis, Ph.D., Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy
Dennis S. Weiner, M.D., Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron

Mechanically Enhanced, Peptide Crosslinked Poly (ester urea) for Critical Bone Defect Repair
Matthew L Becker, Ph.D., The University of Akron
Matthew Graham, Ph.D., Akron Polymer Systems, Inc.
John Elias, Ph.D., Akron General Medical Center, Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of
Medicine and Pharmacy
Kimberly Stakleff, Ph.D., Akron General Medical Center
Scott Weiner, M.D., Summa Health System