The Center for Biotechnology (CFB) announces a Request for Proposals under its Applied Research and Development Program (ARaD). Through this program, the CFB provides matching grants for Stony Brook University affiliated faculty and industry partners to collaborate on applied research and R&D projects.

Projects will be evaluated based upon their potential to positively impact the corporate partner, the potential for economic impact in NYS, and the scientific and commercial merit of the proposal. The maximum award from the Center for Biotechnology will be $40K and will require a minimum 1:1 financial match from the corporate partner. Smaller projects are also encouraged. All awards, including the funding provided by the corporate partner, will be established on campus in the name of the faculty collaborator and will be governed by a corporate-sponsored research or testing agreement, depending upon the circumstances. Projects are expected to start on or about July 1.

The application guidelines and forms can be found here. Deadline for submission is April 15, 2019, 5 pm.

Please contact the team at the Center for Biotechnology with any questions (Project Questions: william.hanes@stonybrook.edu; Budget Questions: annette.depietri@stonybrook.edu)

Center for Biotechnology Director Dr. Clinton Rubin has co-authored a recent article published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology ““Combating osteoporosis and obesity with exercise: leveraging cell mechanosensitivity”.  Abstract below, full article here.

Abstract: 

Osteoporosis, a condition of skeletal decline that undermines quality of life, is treated with pharmacological interventions that are associated with poor adherence and adverse effects. Complicating efforts to improve clinical outcomes, the incidence of obesity is increasing, predisposing the population to a range of musculoskeletal complications and metabolic disorders. Pharmacological management of obesity has yet to deliver notable reductions in weight and debilitating complications are rarely avoided. By contrast, exercise shows promise as a non-invasive and non-pharmacological method of regulating both osteoporosis and obesity. The principal components of exercise — mechanical signals — promote bone and muscle anabolism while limiting formation and expansion of fat mass. Mechanical regulation of bone and marrow fat might be achieved by regulating functions of differentiated cells in the skeletal tissue while biasing lineage selection of their common progenitors — mesenchymal stem cells. An inverse relationship between adipocyte versus osteoblast fate selection from stem cells is implicated in clinical conditions such as childhood obesity and increased marrow adiposity in type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as contributing to skeletal frailty. Understanding how exercise-induced mechanical signals can be used to improve bone quality while decreasing fat mass and metabolic dysfunction should lead to new strategies to treat chronic diseases such as osteoporosis and obesity.

The Healthcare Entrepreneurship Community Challenge solicits proposals for new products or services to address a community healthcare problem facing underserved areas in New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley Region.

The Challenge focuses on inspiring entrepreneurs to develop market-based solutions to health problems in underserved communities in downstate New York. A Steering Committee formed of public health experts selects an annual Challenge topic. Entrepreneurs who participate in the Challenge will receive mentorship, participate in a bootcamp and will showcase their innovations and pitch at an annual Regional Symposium.

Program notes:

– Applications are due by 11:55PM EST on March 15, 2019 at www.nyhealthchallenge.com
– The Healthcare Challenge is part of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Regional Innovation Strategies i6 Challenge and is hosted by Hofstra University’s Center for Entrepreneurship.
– The signature prize money sponsor is Northwell Health, New York State’s largest healthcare provider and private employer.
– The innovation must address the 2019 topic “Creating Wellness” and solve a healthcare problem facing one or more underserved communities in NYC, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley.
– Entrepreneurs will participate in a Bootcamp, receive mentorship from healthcare experts, and have an opportunity to present at a Regional Symposium and Pitch Competition.
– This year’s competition includes a $5,000 “Community Impact Award” for diverse entrepreneurs who are solving suburban healthcare issues sponsored by the Hofstra University National Center for Suburban Studies.
– Prize money sponsors include Digital Remedy, Ernst & Young, Nixon Peabody, and the NuHealth Foundation.
–  In-kind sponsors include Intelligent Product Solutions and the Hofstra ideaHUb.

Full details: https://www.nyhealthchallenge.com/

Women life science entrepreneurs: Springboard Enterprises is now accepting application for the 2019 Health Innovation Hub: Life Sciences track.
Springboard’s Health Innovation Hub: Life Sciences 2019 is a year-long program for women-led seeking growth funding and expert connections to develop solutions in healthcare, including new drugs, diagnostics, pharma technologies, treatments for rare diseases, and medical devices. Those selected for the program will be matched with a personal advisory team of experts and invited to participate in several in-person and virtual sessions, workshops, and presentation opportunities.
Priority Deadline is March 1! Full information on the program can be found at sb.co/HIH