Regenerative Medicine Minnesota awards announced
Regenerative Medicine Minnesota, a statewide bipartisan initiative, advances regenerative science and builds the health care of the future. Regenerative Medicine Minnesota awards $4.35 million in grants every year with emphasis on innovation across the regenerative medicine spectrum. The initiative seeks to transform the focus of medicine from treating disease to building health to provide Minnesotans with safe new options for their health care. Since its inception in 2014, Regenerative Medicine Minnesota has awarded more than 170 grants totaling $26 million.
In the latest funding cycle, Regenerative Medicine Minnesota awarded seven discovery and translational science awards to Mayo Clinic researchers.
Discovery Science Awards
Patricia Devaux, Ph.D. (MMED '05), Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, $249,998 for "Concurrent Gene Editing and Reprogramming of Sickle Cell Disease Fibroblasts using Dual Measles Virus Vectors": This research will test a new technology based on the vaccine strain of the Measles virus to determine if it can reprogram human cells to correct genetic defects that lead to blood disorders such as sickle cell disease.
"Foamy Virus Gene Therapy Platform Development"
David Deyle, M.D. (MGEN ’12), Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Dan Dragomir-Daescu, Ph.D. (PHYS '19), Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, $249,112 for "Novel Flow Diverter for Hemorrhage Control Using Innovative Magnetic Nanotechnology": The study team will test in pig models the use of novel magnetic technologies, including vascular stent-grafts and bioengineered endothelial cells (cells that line the blood vessels), to see if they can be used together to control hemorrhage and rapidly heal vessels.”
Martin Rodriguez-Porcel, M.D. (PHYS '97, I '99, CV '08), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, $250,000 for "Understanding the Interaction of Stem Cells and Scaffolds with Host Tissue: Implications of Regenerative Medicine": This study aims to develop a better understanding of the interaction between transplanted stem cells and human tissue. Specifically, this research seeks to answer whether delivery of biomatrix containing certain chemicals can help transplanted stem cells survive and function in the human body.
Translational Science Awards
Terence Burns, M.D., Ph.D. (NS ’16), Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic in Rochester
“Individualized Glioma Surveillance via Chromosomal Rearrangements in Cerebrospinal Fluid”
Steven Moran, M.D. (HAND '02), Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, $250,000 for "Regenerative Strategy for Volumetric Muscle Loss and Functional Recovery": This study seeks new regenerative therapeutics for restoring muscle volume and muscle function after traumatic injury or surgery.
Regenerative Medicine Minnesota awarded 13 grants statewide out of 64 applicants in 2020 to advance clinical trials, discovery science, translational science and biobusiness.
Funding awarded in 2020 will run through 2022. Regenerative Medicine Minnesota grants are open to all Minnesota-based institutions.