UNMC researcher bridges antibiotic gap in major breakthrough

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OMAHA, Nebraska (June 24, 2019)—Gus Wang, PhD, a world-leading expert on antimicrobial peptides, published a field-altering discovery in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, widely regarded as one of the most prestigious academic journals.

Dr. Gus Wang
Gus Wang, PhD

Using Dr. Wang’s world-renown peptide database, the UNMC team deduced previously unknown peptide properties that govern efficacy inside a living animal.

Researchers have long known that antimicrobial peptides have therapeutic potential against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, particularly with topical treatments for things like skin infections. Unfortunately the tiny protein fragments are also fragile, and are much less effective inside the body for things like blood infections.

But bacteria are also less likely to develop resistance to peptides. Researchers around the world have long looked at antimicrobial peptides as a potential solution to resistance.

Until now, it seems, no one has been able to make antimicrobial peptides work in a broad, therapeutic way.

“Researchers have largely been so excited with the potential of these peptides for treating infections that they rushed forward with efficacy testing and clinical trials,” Dr. Wang said. “This paper is important to the field because it suggests that certain peptides are less sticky to host cells, and therefore are more likely to work [inside a living organism]. This exciting discovery represents a paradigm shift in antimicrobial peptide design, and may lead to novel peptides with broader therapeutic potential.”

Dr. Wang and his team designed an algorithm to identify and classify numerous antimicrobial peptide properties. From this algorithm, Dr. Wang and his postdoctoral fellow, Biswajit Mishra, PhD, were able to design and test idealized peptide sequences against the most notorious drug-resistant pathogens. That work was previously published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.  

With high-efficacy candidates in hand, they systematically altered the peptide sequences, one amino acid at a time, and repeated efficacy testing. They also effectively tested their spectrum of sequences in a mouse model of systemic infection, with the help of postdoc Jayaram Lakshmaiah Narayana, PhD

Dr. Wang’s results were published in the online version of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States. The article can be viewed here: https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2019/06/12/1821410116.

His method of designing systemically active peptides—along with the initial key amino acid sequences—is in the patent process through UNeMed, the technology transfer and commercialization office at UNMC and UNO. Several pharmaceutical companies have expressed interest in the technology as a therapeutic for both human and animal health.

But for now, next steps include a few more years of small and large animal research before testing can move into human patients.

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UNeMed podcast explains blockchain, how it might impact healthcare

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OMAHA, Neb. (June 24, 2019)—UNeMed’s tech transfer podcast, “Innovation Overground,” published this morning its latest episode, “Blockchain explained.”

In the latest episode, Overground hosts Joe Runge, Tyler Scherr and Charlie Litton, celebrate the discuss the magic blockchain, and how it might improve healthcare.

Innovation Overground was created to help promote academic innovation and the technology transfer and commercialization efforts at the University of Nebraska and beyond. The podcast intends to examine what it takes to advance academic inventions and discoveries beyond the research bench and into people’s lives as “actual things on a shelf.”

New episodes are published on Mondays, and are available on most podcast channels, including Google Play Music, iTunes, iHeartMusic, Podomatic, Spotify and Spreaker.

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Overground: Don’t eat raw snails

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OMAHA, Neb. (June 17, 2019)—UNeMed’s tech transfer podcast, “Innovation Overground,” published this morning its latest episode, “Eat less raw snails, fight climate change.”

In the latest episode, Overground hosts Joe Runge, Tyler Scherr and Charlie Litton, discuss technologies related to climate change. The crew learns how the spread of tropical climates is also spreading tropical diseases, and more importantly, what scientists are doing about it.

Innovation Overground was created to help promote academic innovation and the technology transfer and commercialization efforts at the University of Nebraska and beyond. The podcast intends to examine what it takes to advance academic inventions and discoveries beyond the research bench and into people’s lives as “actual things on a shelf.”

New episodes are published on Mondays, and are available on most podcast channels, including Google Play Music, iTunes, iHeartMusic, Podomatic, Spotify and Spreaker.

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Podcasters fight fire with fire

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OMAHA, Neb. (June 10, 2019)—UNeMed’s tech transfer podcast, “Innovation Overground,” published this morning its latest episode, “Robotic ping pong ball of chemical fire.”

In the latest episode, Overground hosts Joe Runge, Tyler Scherr and Charlie Litton, discuss natural disasters. The crew learns how to fight fire with actual fire, the importance of strawberry Pop-Tarts and how an organized society can keep milk, bread and cat litter on the store shelves—even in a crisis.

Innovation Overground was created to help promote academic innovation and the technology transfer and commercialization efforts at the University of Nebraska and beyond. The podcast intends to examine what it takes to advance academic inventions and discoveries beyond the research bench and into people’s lives as “actual things on a shelf.”

New episodes are published on Mondays, and are available on most podcast channels, including Google Play Music, iTunes, iHeartMusic, Podomatic, Spotify and Spreaker.

Use the below links to subscribe, listen to previous episodes and learn more.

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Innovation Overground looks at security improvements

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OMAHA, Neb. (June 3, 2019)—UNeMed’s tech transfer podcast, “Innovation Overground,” published this morning its latest episode, “Better security through science.”

In the latest episode, Overground hosts Joe Runge, Tyler Scherr and Charlie Litton, discuss new technologies that could impact border security. The crew covers things like an improvement to reinforced a href=”https://www.warf.org/technologies/engineering/summary/splice-system-to-connect-reinforcement-bars-in-concrete-assemblies-p08344us02.cmsx” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>concrete, search a href=”https://gtp.autm.net/public/project/43810/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>drones., and image recognition a href=”https://aim.autm.net/public/project/12878/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>software.

Innovation Overground was created to help promote academic innovation and the technology transfer and commercialization efforts at the University of Nebraska and beyond. The podcast intends to examine what it takes to advance academic inventions and discoveries beyond the research bench and into people’s lives as “actual things on a shelf.”

New episodes are published on Mondays, and are available on most podcast channels, including Google Play Music, iTunes, iHeartMusic, Podomatic, Spotify and Spreaker.

Use the below links to subscribe, listen to previous episodes and learn more.

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Overground covers the highs (and lows) of artificial intelligence

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OMAHA, Neb. (May 27, 2019)—UNeMed’s tech transfer podcast, “Innovation Overground,” published this morning its latest episode, “Artificial intelligence.”

In the latest episode, Overground hosts Joe Runge, Tyler Scherr and Charlie Litton, discuss how artificial intelligence isn’t always evil. The crew shows that AI can monitor social medial accounts to assess a user’s underlying emotional state, but it can also scan computer networks for malware. AI can learn to see patterns in behavior faster than people can recognize they’re behaving them, but it can also instantly adapt to the ever-evolving threats of cyber security.

Innovation Overground was created to help promote academic innovation and the technology transfer and commercialization efforts at the University of Nebraska and beyond. The podcast intends to examine what it takes to advance academic inventions and discoveries beyond the research bench and into people’s lives as “actual things on a shelf.”

New episodes are published on Mondays, and are available on most podcast channels, including Google Play Music, iTunes, iHeartMusic, Podomatic, Spotify and Spreaker.

Use the below links to subscribe, listen to previous episodes and learn more.

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Podcast goes inside the prosthetic revolution

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OMAHA, Neb. (May 20, 2019)—UNeMed’s tech transfer podcast, “Innovation Overground,” published this morning its latest episode, “Custom prosthetics.”

In the latest episode, Overground hosts Joe Runge, Tyler Scherr and Charlie Litton, discuss prosthetics that can be made with little more than a smart phone and a standard 3D printer. The episode features innovations from Nebraska’s world-class biomechanics department, where researchers created a hybrid arm and a custom-made prosthetic that helps a child play the cello.

Innovation Overground was created to help promote academic innovation and the technology transfer and commercialization efforts at the University of Nebraska and beyond. The podcast intends to examine what it takes to advance academic inventions and discoveries beyond the research bench and into people’s lives as “actual things on a shelf.”

New episodes are published on Mondays, and are available on most podcast channels, including Google Play Music, iTunes, iHeartMusic, Podomatic, Spotify and Spreaker.

Use the below links to subscribe, listen to previous episodes and learn more.

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Podcast highlights Modular nuclear power as a possible energy alternative

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OMAHA, Neb. (May 13, 2019)—UNeMed’s tech transfer podcast, “Innovation Overground,” published this morning its latest episode, “Nuclear fission…to go!”

In the latest episode, Overground hosts Joe Runge, Tyler Scherr and Charlie Litton, discuss green energy and the environment. Tyler shows how nuclear power has gone mini, while Joe and Charlie discuss the pros and cons of a world where a nuclear reactor the size of a couch can power a small city—and the hard choices we’ll need to make to power the future.

Innovation Overground was created to help promote academic innovation and the technology transfer and commercialization efforts at the University of Nebraska and beyond. The podcast intends to examine what it takes to advance academic inventions and discoveries beyond the research bench and into people’s lives as “actual things on a shelf.”

New episodes are published on Mondays, and are available on most podcast channels, including Google Play Music, iTunes, iHeartMusic, Podomatic, Spotify and Spreaker.

Use the below links to subscribe, listen to previous episodes and learn more.

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Innovation Overground: Grow your own skull

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OMAHA, Neb. (May 6, 2019)—UNeMed’s tech transfer podcast, “Innovation Overground,” published this morning its latest episode, “Grow your own skull.”

In the latest episode, Overground hosts Joe Runge, Tyler Scherr and Charlie Litton, discuss more 3D printing innovations in medicine. Today the crew talks about researcher at UNMC that makes scaffolds to help skulls heal themselves with a combination of 3D bioprinting and anti-infective drugs.

Innovation Overground was created to help promote academic innovation and the technology transfer and commercialization efforts at the University of Nebraska and beyond. The podcast intends to examine what it takes to advance academic inventions and discoveries beyond the research bench and into people’s lives as “actual things on a shelf.”

New episodes are published on Mondays, and are available on most podcast channels, including Google Play Music, iTunes, iHeartMusic, Podomatic, Spotify and Spreaker.

Use the below links to subscribe, listen to previous episodes and learn more.

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UNeMed seeking qualified licensing associate

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OMAHA, Neb. (May 1, 2019)—UNeMed is accepting qualified applications for an opening on its licensing team.

A licensing associate at UNeMed is an entry-level position aimed at those interested in a career in technology transfer. In the course of their duties, the licensing associate will develop the skills associated with commercializing academic innovations and discoveries.

The licensing associate will also work closely with inventors, helping evaluate, market and license the discoveries and innovations that emerge from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

The licensing associate position is a one-year appointment, which can be renewed annually for up to three years.

A minimally qualified candidate will have:

  • A bachelor’s degree in a scientific field
  • Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite of software
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Exceptional written, oral, communication and analytical skills

Preference will be given to candidates with advanced degrees and those with relevant experience in chemistry, biology or life sciences. Other desirable traits include familiarity with business development, technology commercialization and license negotiation.

Learn more, including how to apply for the position, at the UNMC job portal, https://unmc.peopleadmin.com/postings/44791.

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Dates set for 2019 Boot Camp, applications open

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2019 Tech Transfer Boot CampOMAHA, Neb. (April 29, 2019)—The next Technology Transfer Boot Camp is scheduled for Aug. 12-16, UNeMed announced today.

Entering its fifth year, the 2019 Tech Transfer Boot Camp is aimed at scientists and students who are interested in learning about the process of commercializing a new invention or discovery. The week-long workshop can also serve as fast-track toward an alternate career in science as a technology transfer professional.

The training program helps participants gain a wide range of skills and experience that match their scientific knowledge and training.

The program will focus on several key areas relevant to a successful career in technology transfer, including:

  • Invention evaluation
  • Intellectual property law
  • Marketing and commercialization
  • Contract negotiation

UNeMed’s Tech Transfer Boot Camp will dive deeper than simple lectures. Topics wills be explored with hands-on activities meant to teach, correct and reinforce new skills and abilities.

Anyone within the University of Nebraska system is encouraged to apply and participate free of charge, but space is limited. People who aren’t affiliated with the University of Nebraska are also welcome, but will be charged $200 upon acceptance.

Applications will be accepted through Monday, July 29, and will be reviewed in the order they are received until all spaces are filled.

Use the embedded form below or apply here.

More information about the application process and requirements can be found at https://www.unemed.com/about-us/join-our-team#bootcamp.

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Podcast: Graphene is a superhero

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OMAHA, Neb. (April 29, 2019)—UNeMed’s tech transfer podcast, “Innovation Overground,” published this morning its latest episode, “It’s a bird. It’s a plane…It’s graphene!”

In the latest episode, Overground hosts Joe Runge, Tyler Scherr and Charlie Litton, discuss almost magical properties of an accidental discovery: graphene.

The episode features inventions from the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida.

Innovation Overground was created to help promote academic innovation and the technology transfer and commercialization efforts at the University of Nebraska and beyond. The podcast intends to examine what it takes to advance academic inventions and discoveries beyond the research bench and into people’s lives as “actual things on a shelf.”

New episodes are published on Mondays, and are available on most podcast channels, including Google Play Music, iTunes, iHeartMusic, Podomatic, Spotify and Spreaker.

Use the below links to subscribe, listen to previous episodes and learn more.

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Innovation Overground looks beyond university research breakthroughs

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OMAHA, Neb. (April 22, 2019)—UNeMed’s tech transfer podcast, “Innovation Overground,” published this morning its latest episode, “Defending the U.S. from drowsiness and Ebola.”

In the latest episode, Overground hosts Joe Runge, Tyler Scherr and Charlie Litton, discuss academic innovations beyond the university system. The crew talks about how the U.S. Army has developed new approaches against ebola and drowsiness.

Innovation Overground was created to help promote academic innovation and the technology transfer and commercialization efforts at the University of Nebraska and beyond. The podcast intends to examine what it takes to advance academic inventions and discoveries beyond the research bench and into people’s lives as “actual things on a shelf.”

New episodes are published on Mondays, and are available on most podcast channels, including Google Play Music, iTunes, iHeartMusic, Podomatic, Spotify and Spreaker.

Use the below links to subscribe, listen to previous episodes and learn more.

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How video games could create better surgeons

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OMAHA, Neb. (April 15, 2019)—UNeMed’s tech transfer podcast, “Innovation Overground,” published this morning its latest episode, “Improving surgery with video games… and hypnosis?”

In the latest episode, Overground hosts Joe Runge, Tyler Scherr and Charlie Litton, push the boundaries of what it means to do surgery—and fight the opioid crisis—with a virtual reality and augmented reality mash-up.

The episode also featured university inventions, including a laparoscopic simulator and compelling research about the potential value of hypnosis for surgical patients.

Innovation Overground was created to help promote academic innovation and the technology transfer and commercialization efforts at the University of Nebraska and beyond. The podcast intends to examine what it takes to advance academic inventions and discoveries beyond the research bench and into people’s lives as “actual things on a shelf.”

New episodes are published on Mondays, and are available on most podcast channels, including Google Play Music, iTunes, iHeartMusic, Podomatic, Spotify and Spreaker.

Use the below links to subscribe, listen to previous episodes and learn more.

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Podcast: Scientists are now printing semiconductors and human nerves

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OMAHA, Neb. (April 8, 2019)—UNeMed’s tech transfer podcast, “Innovation Overground,” published this morning its latest episode, “Making cyborgs one 3D print at a time.”

In the latest episode, Overground hosts Joe Runge, Tyler Scherr and Charlie Litton, discuss 3D printing. It turns out 3D printing can make just about everything, including semiconductors and human nerves.

Innovation Overground was created to help promote academic innovation and the technology transfer and commercialization efforts at the University of Nebraska and beyond. The podcast intends to examine what it takes to advance academic inventions and discoveries beyond the research bench and into people’s lives as “actual things on a shelf.”

New episodes are published on Mondays, and are available on most podcast channels, including Google Play Music, iTunes, iHeartMusic, Podomatic, Spotify and Spreaker.

Use the below links to subscribe, listen to previous episodes and learn more.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
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Overground finds pride in the tech transfer game

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OMAHA, Neb. (April 1, 2019)—UNeMed’s tech transfer podcast, “Innovation Overground,” published this morning its latest episode, “Tech transfer pride.”

In the latest episode, Overground hosts Joe Runge, Tyler Scherr and Charlie Litton, discuss the difficulty of forging a career path in science…away from the research bench.

Innovation Overground was created to help promote academic innovation and the technology transfer and commercialization efforts at the University of Nebraska and beyond. The podcast intends to examine what it takes to advance academic inventions and discoveries beyond the research bench and into people’s lives as “actual things on a shelf.”

New episodes are published on Mondays, and are available on most podcast channels, including Google Play Music, iTunes, iHeartMusic, Podomatic, Spotify and Spreaker.

Use the below links to subscribe, listen to previous episodes and learn more.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Google Play Music
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Innovation Overground on Spotify
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