Technologies search results
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LactoRING for a Healthy Vaginal Microbiome
LactoRING is a novel slow-release vaginal ring designed to ensure continuous replenishment of Lactobacillus, promoting a healthy vaginal microbiome for a longer duration. The slow-release mechanism and targeted delivery to the vaginal environment will enhance the efficacy and convenience of treatment, thereby providing a comprehensive approach to vaginal dysbiosis management. -
Placental Accreta Spectrum Diagnostic
Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a condition where the placenta attaches too deeply into the uterine wall, causing severe bleeding and complications for the mother. PAS occurs in 1 in 300 to 500 deliveries — a 10-fold increase in the past 50 years. However, more than 50% of cases are not detected before delivery. To... -
Fistula Repair: Minimally-Invasive Repair of Obstetric Fistula
Obstetric fistula is a devastating condition characterized by an abnormal connection between the female genital tract and the bladder or rectum. It affects more than two million women in Africa and Asia and leads to constant leakage of blood, urine, and stool, causing pain, infection, social ostracization, and physical isolation. Current treatment through reconstructive surgery... -
TORCH: Discovering Ovarian Torsion Biomarkers through Proteomics
Ovarian torsion (OT) is a serious medical condition where an ovary twists around the tissue that supports it, which can cut off blood supply to the ovary and sometimes the fallopian tube, causing severe pain. If blood flow is not quickly restored, the ovary might need to be surgically removed. Current diagnostic methods are often... -
BioControl: Safe and Reversible Birth Control
The long-term impact of birth control remains largely unknown, and as our knowledge of traditional methods evolves, so must our innovations to uncover safe, effective, and non-hormonal options. By way of novel compounds that slow sperm function, this technology is offering a new form of male and vaginal contraceptive. Our early tests show promising results,... -
FERTIVA: Enhanced Ovarian Tissue Engraftment for Fertility
Nearly 80% of women who survive cancer go on to struggle with fertility. Our team is developing an innovative approach using ovarian tissue cryopreservation: freezing and storing ovarian tissue to preserve fertility potential. By combining patient-derived cells and innovative techniques, we are accelerating tissue engraftment, boosting pregnancy rates, and preserving vital ovarian function. Our multidisciplinary... -
Ovarian Modeling for Fertility Treatments
Infertility is a global health problem, affecting nearly every industrialized nation in the world, and an estimated 10% of men and women in the US. Ovarian abnormalities and oogenesis disorders are a leading cause of female infertility, but little is known about their underlying genetic causes due to lack of suitable research models. We’re collaborating... -
Bacterial Vaginosis-Fertility Link
Infertility is a global health issue affecting 186 million people worldwide. It can be linked to microbiome interactions in the cervix, especially women with bacterial vaginosis (BV), a condition affecting 30% of women of reproductive age. Our microfluidic Cervix Chip model provides the first evidence that BV-related infections can impair sperm function due to an... -
Vagina-Brain Axis: Treating Hormone Imbalance-Related Diseases
Microbes in our gut have been shown to impact the brain, which is the control center for most of the body’s functions. Research shows that the gut microbiome affects our mood and mental health, including depression. This regulation is called the gut-brain axis. Other organs beyond the gut — including those in the female genital... -
CRISPR-Based Vaginal Microbiota Diagnostic
Despite the clear biological impact of the vaginal microbiome on women’s health, there are no practical diagnostics for vaginal bacterial composition, which limits clinical care and research. We plan to develop a rapid diagnostic platform to identify key vaginal microbial community members and categorize its diversity, enabling researchers and clinicians to better understand variations in... -
Self-Monitoring for IVF Success: Developing Point-of-Care Sensors for Personalized Fertility Treatment
Fertility treatments like in-vitro fertilization (IVF) offer hope to many struggling with infertility, yet success rates remain below 40% for women under 40 in the U.S. The emotional, physical, and financial strains of failed IVF cycles highlight the urgent need for improved technologies that enhance the effectiveness and accessibility of these treatments. Current monitoring methods... -
Solutions to Preterm Labor
Preterm birth affects over 13 million infants annually and is a leading cause of childhood mortality and lifelong disability. In the U.S., it disproportionately impacts Black infants (14.6%) compared to Hispanic (10.0%) and White (9.4%) infants, leading to severe health issues like cerebral palsy and sensory impairments, and causing trauma for parents. Effective diagnostics and...