UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

2024 saw advancements in biomedical tech, including retinal implants, smart contact lenses, exosuits, low-cost MRI machines, and a DNA data drive. Technologies like Synapsuit and Elemind's headband for sleep enhancement gained attention. Neuralink's Blindsight aimed to restore vision, while fiber-optic probes improved brain surgery imaging. Non-invasive therapies for Alzheimer's and mood-tracking apps also emerged, alongside innovations in DNA data storage and smart contact lens power solutions.

Huntsman Cancer Institute joins myeloMATCH, a National Cancer Institute-sponsored program matching AML/MDS patients with trials based on genetic signatures, aiming to advance precision medicine. Patients undergo bone marrow biopsy for diagnosis and are assigned trials based on disease type and response to therapy, using groundbreaking technology to detect measurable residual disease (MRD).

Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center serving Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. It leads in innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, with over 300 open clinical trials and 250 research teams. Huntsman Cancer Institute has discovered more genes for inherited cancers than any other center and is renowned for understanding cancer origins to develop personalized treatments. Founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.

Wesley Sundquist's research on HIV's protein shell led to the development of lenacapavir, a long-lasting HIV prophylactic providing protection for six months, named Breakthrough of the Year by 'Science'. Lenacapavir's clinical trials showed 100% efficacy in preventing HIV transmission.

The Targeted Alpha Therapy Market report highlights the progression of radioimmunotherapy using alpha emitters for precise cancer treatment, overcoming beta and gamma therapy limitations. Xofigo, an alpha-emitting radiopharmaceutical, is the first approved therapy for castration-resistant prostate cancer. The market is expanding with over 20 drugs in clinical trials, focusing on solid tumors and neurodegenerative diseases. Alpha emitters offer precision in targeting micrometastatic diseases, fostering innovation and partnerships in the field.

Wesley Sundquist, Ph.D., developed a long-lasting HIV prophylactic, lenacapavir, recognized as Breakthrough of the Year by Science. His research on HIV's molecular structure led to the discovery that altering the virus's protein shell can inhibit replication.

The University of Utah highlights researchers Dr. Birgit Knoechel, Dr. Nathan Moodie, and Dr. Yuree Noh. Knoechel studies T-cell subsets in T-ALL with a Rally Foundation grant, Moodie leads a CarbonSAFE Phase II project on CO2 storage in Utah, and Noh collaborates on a National Science Foundation project analyzing global surveillance and censorship.

Prenatal ozone exposure during the second trimester increases risk of intellectual disability by 55% among children compared to siblings. Researchers highlight the need to reduce ozone levels to protect children's brain development.

USC and Utah researchers received $2.7M from NIH to study retinitis pigmentosa, aiming to map retina's nerve connections at each disease stage to develop strategies for slowing vision loss.