-
- Posted Tuesday December 10, 2013
TGen Professor Dr. Frederic Zenhausern is named to Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors
Rapid DNA processor helps contribute to Arizona's economic development
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Dec. 10, 2013 - Dr. Frederic
Zenhausern, a Professor at the Translational Genomics Research
Institute (TGen) and developer of a rapid DNA processor, has
been named to the Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors
(NAI).
Zenhausern, Ph.D., MBA, will be inducted into the NAI Fellows by
Deputy U.S. Commissioner for Patents Andy Faile, from the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office, during the 3rd Annual Conference of
the National Academy of Inventors, March 7, 2014, in Alexandria,
Va. Fellows will be presented with a special trophy and a
rosette pin.
Zenhausern also is a Professor and Director of the Center for
Applied Nanobioscience and Medicine at the University of Arizona
College of Medicine - Phoenix. The center uniquely applies a
combination of advances in nanoscience, microelectromechanical
systems, molecular biology, and genomics to a new generation of
biological tools and sensors based on nano and microscale
technologies.
Applying interdisciplinary science approaches to medicine,
Zenhausern's work is aimed at early diagnostics of human diseases,
in particular, integrating bioassay chemistries with several
biomarkers and targets developed by researchers at TGen. Over the
years, his team has collaborated on multiple projects at TGen for
designing bioanalytical platform technologies to translate
molecular analysis into clinical tools and, ultimately, promoting
adoption of novel technologies for point-of-care diagnostics
applications.
The Microfluidic DNA Analysis System (MiDAS), a desktop
printer-sized box that is described as robust and user-friendly, is
one of Zenhausern's innovations. The integrated DNA analyzer can be
transported directly to a point-of-care or deployed in a mobile
setting, eliminating some of the issues that arise when collecting
and shipping a specimen from a remote site to a centralized
laboratory for molecular testing. The core technology is also
enabling the rapid automation of preparation of a biological sample
for interfacing with various high-resolution analytical
instrumentations, such as Next Generation Sequencing. These
emerging diagnostic tools in personalized medicine are being used
the team of clinicians at TGen Clinical Translational Research
Division.
A similar platform was configured for genomic assays ready for
implementations in medical countermeasures against radiological and
nuclear disasters, and also applicable in clinical settings for
predicting which patients are most sensitive to radiation in
guiding personalized treatment, and preventing the development of
toxicities that may result from radiotherapy. These innovations are
described in multiple patents with TGen co-inventors, which led to
significant federal funding of Arizona academic institutions, and
to generating commercial interest and licensing from multiple U.S.
companies, also contributing to Arizona's economic
development.
Zenhausern has co-authored more than 70 scientific publications
and is named on many pending and more than a dozen issued U.S.
patents in various domains ranging from DNA sequencing to optical
data storage. Zenhausern's responsibilities also include leading
clinical research at the personalized medicine research laboratory
at Scottsdale Healthcare Research Institute and serving on several
corporate scientific boards and international consortia in life
sciences.
Election to NAI Fellow status is a high professional distinction
accorded to academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific
spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding
inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life,
economic development, and the welfare of society.
The 143 innovators elected to NAI Fellow status represent 94
universities and governmental and non-profit research
institutes. Together, they hold more than 5,600 U.S.
patents.
Included in the 2013 class are 26 presidents and senior leadership
of research universities and non-profit research institutes, 69
members of the National Academies, five inductees of the National
Inventors Hall of Fame, six recipients of the U.S. National Medal
of Technology and Innovation, and nine Nobel Laureates among other
major awards and distinctions.
Academic inventors and innovators elected to the rank of NAI
Fellow were nominated by their peers for outstanding contributions
to innovation in areas such as patents and licensing, innovative
discovery and technology, significant impact on society, and
support and enhancement of innovation.
# # #
About the UA College of Medicine - Phoenix
The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix admitted
its inaugural class of first-year medical students in August 2007.
The College of Medicine - Phoenix currently has 282 students
training to be physicians. The University of Arizona College of
Medicine - Phoenix inspires and trains individuals to become
exemplary physicians, scientists and leaders who are life-long
learners and inquisitive scholars and who will embrace
professionalism, innovation and collaboration to optimize health
and healthcare for all. For more information, visit phoenixmed.arizona.edu.
Media Contact:
Al Bravo
(602) 827-2022
[email protected]
*
About TGen
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused
on helping patients with cancer, neurological disorders and
diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process
of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen
physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of
both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children.
Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical
communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial
contribution to help our patients through efficiency and
effectiveness of the translational process. For more information,
visit:www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
*
About the NAI:
The National Academy of Inventors® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
member organization comprised of U.S. and international
universities, and governmental and non-profit research
institutions, with over 3,000 individual inventor members and
Fellows spanning more than 200 institutions, and growing rapidly.
It was founded in 2010 to recognize and encourage inventors with
patents issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, enhance
the visibility of academic technology and innovation, encourage the
disclosure of intellectual property, educate and mentor innovative
students, and translate the inventions of its members to benefit
society. The NAI edits the multidisciplinary journal, Technology
and Innovation - Proceedings of the National Academy of Inventors,
published by Cognizant Communication Corporation (NY). www.academyofinventors.org