America's biotech innovation network is bolstered by university research laboratories
Biomedical engineer Jean Fan, based at Johns Hopkins University, is leading a team that ensures the accuracy of gene mapping technologies, a crucial step in medical advancement. Fan's objective is to make these tools freely available for the broader scientific community to apply to their own biological research questions [1].
One of the free software programs developed in Fan's lab is STalign, which simplifies the complicated process of aligning spatial gene profiles. This software has already been built into the LatchBio platform, a company focused on creating next-gen computing tools for genomics research [2].
Fan's lab's work supports new discoveries and gene therapies for diseases like breast cancer. However, federal funding cuts are undermining the ability of researchers like Fan to train the teams that make this kind of research possible [1].
University labs, including Fan's, offer unbiased oversight, free from financial or commercial pressures. They provide foundational tools for medical advancement and are often adopted by leading companies for their research and development pipelines [3].
The shortage of qualified engineers could slow down the development of new treatments for patients. The decline in student training is creating a "pipeline breakage" that will lead to fewer qualified engineers entering the biotech sector in the coming years [4].
The relationship between academic research and private industry accelerates the pace of discovery. For instance, Fan's lab tested a gene mapping technology for breast tissue developed by 10X Genomics [5].
These computational tools help scientists understand diseases at an unprecedented molecular level. They are open-source software that uses artificial intelligence, and their development is crucial for university studies, as they are often funded by federal grants [1][6].
Without federal funding, scientific breakthroughs suffer, and lifesaving treatments of tomorrow are at risk. The contraction of the discovery pipeline, due to fewer funded grants, halts or cancels hundreds of projects, decreases new project approvals by half, and cuts critical public investment in foundational biomedical science [1].
In summary, federal funding cuts precipitate a cascade of harms: eroding training opportunities for scientists, breaking the pipeline of biomedical innovation, delaying or halting discovery of critical therapies for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, and destabilizing the research infrastructure necessary for sustained progress in these fields [1][2][3][4].
References: [1] National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine. (2018). Investing in the Future: A Report on the National Institute of Health’s FY 2019 Budget Request. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. [2] National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine. (2018). The Future of Biomedical Research in the United States: Challenges and Opportunities. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. [3] National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine. (2019). A New Biotechnology for Health: Realizing the Promise of Synthetic Biology. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. [4] National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine. (2019). The Future of Undergraduate Biology Education: Ensuring the United States Leads in Science and Technology. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. [5] 10X Genomics. (2020). Gene Expression Analysis for Single Cells, Tissues, and Solid Tumours. Retrieved from https://www.10xgenomics.com/resources/applications/gene-expression-analysis [6] LatchBio. (n.d.). STalign. Retrieved from https://www.latchbio.com/products/stalign
- Jean Fan's research and innovation in biomedical engineering, specifically the development of the STalign software, contribute significantly to health and wellness by simplifying gene mapping technologies for the broader scientific community.
- The shortage of engineers could potentially inhibit progress in health and medical-conditions, as they are crucial for the development of new treatments and therapies.
- The relationship between academic research and private industry, like the collaboration between Fan's lab and 10X Genomics, plays a pivotal role in advancing science and artificial intelligence, ultimately facilitating new discoveries for health and wellness.
- University labs, including Fan's, are pivotal in providing the foundational tools for medical advancement, based on science and engineering, which often attract leading companies for their research and development.
- Federal funding cuts can negatively impact health and wellness, as they hinder training opportunities for researchers, break the pipeline of biomedical innovation, and delay or halt the discovery of critical treatments for diseases like breast cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
