A groundbreaking biomedical research hub in Chicago, backed by tech titan Mark Zuckerberg and his physician wife, Dr. Priscilla Chan, has achieved a significant milestone: publishing its first research findings. The study, focusing on a novel method to monitor inflammation in real-time using implanted sensors, was recently published in the prestigious journal Science.
Led by researchers from Northwestern University at the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago, the study utilized sensors implanted in diabetic rats to track fluctuations in specific proteins indicative of inflammation. While existing methods rely on periodic blood or urine tests to measure these changes, the sensors offer the potential for continuous, real-time monitoring.
“We hope that this work provides a foundation for us to track inflammation in the human body,” explained Shana Kelley, a senior author of the paper, president of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago, and a professor of chemistry and engineering at Northwestern. “This is crucial because many diseases originate from inflammation, where the immune system causes damage to tissues.”
Inflammation,the body’s natural response to illness or injury,plays a vital role in healing. Though, prolonged or unwarranted inflammation can be detrimental, contributing to a wide range of diseases. According to research, over half of all deaths worldwide are attributed to inflammation-related conditions such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease.
“If we could detect inflammation rising in the human body, we could intervene much earlier,” Kelley emphasized. “This could prevent diseases from progressing or even prevent them altogether.”
The inspiration for using sensors to monitor inflammation stemmed from the success of continuous glucose monitors, devices commonly used by individuals with diabetes to track their glucose levels in real-time.
This groundbreaking research emerges less than two years after the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative announced plans to establish the Chicago biohub. The initiative has committed $250 million over a decade to fund the project,with an additional $25 million in state support from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. The biohub brings together scientists from Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in a collaborative effort to advance biomedical research.
A groundbreaking new research hub focused on tackling inflammation at the cellular level has officially opened its doors in Chicago’s bustling Fulton Market district. The Chan zuckerberg Biohub Chicago, a collaborative effort between the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and the university of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, was selected from a pool of over 60 proposals nationwide to receive funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
“We need new tools to understand and treat diseases driven by inflammation,” said Dr. Stephen Kelley, the newly appointed president of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago. “This hub will bring together leading scientists and engineers to develop these tools and accelerate the pace of revelation.”
“We need new tools to understand and treat diseases driven by inflammation,” Kelley emphasized.
the Chicago biohub joins a network of four institutes across the United States dedicated to advancing biomedical research. This collaborative approach aims to foster innovation and accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into tangible benefits for patients.
The selection of Chicago as the home for one of these prestigious biohubs highlights the city’s growing reputation as a centre for cutting-edge biomedical research and innovation.
## World Today News: Breaking barriers in Biomedicine
**Exclusive Interview with Dr Shana Kelley, President of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub chicago**
**World Today News:** Dr. Kelley, congratulations on the publication of your groundbreaking research in _Science_! This novel method for monitoring inflammation in real-time holds immense promise. Could you elaborate on the significance of this discovery?
**Dr. Kelley:** Thank you! We’re incredibly excited about the potential of this research. As you know,inflammation is a fundamental process in our bodies,crucial for healing. But chronic, uncontrolled inflammation can contribute to a wide range of diseases, from heart disease and arthritis to cancer and Alzheimer’s.
Currently, we rely on sporadic blood or urine tests to measure inflammation markers. This offers only a snapshot in time and doesn’t capture the dynamic fluctuations that occur within the body. our implanted sensors offer a game-changing ability to monitor these changes continuously, providing real-time insights into the inflammatory process.
**World Today News:** How does this sensor technology work, and what makes it unique?
**Dr. Kelley:** Our sensors are designed to detect specific proteins associated with inflammation. These proteins,known as cytokines,act as messengers in the immune system.By monitoring their levels in real-time, we can gain a much deeper understanding of how inflammation evolves and responds to various triggers. In this study, we successfully implanted these sensors in diabetic rats and were able to track fluctuations in inflammatory markers over time. This is a meaningful step towards translating this technology for use in humans.
**World Today News:** This research was conducted at the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub chicago. What role has the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative played in facilitating this breakthrough?
**Dr. Kelley:** The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s support has been instrumental in enabling us to pursue this aspiring research. Their vision and funding have allowed us to assemble a world-class team of researchers and build a state-of-the-art research facility here in Chicago. They have fostered a culture of collaboration and innovation, which is essential for tackling complex scientific challenges like this one.
**World Today News:** What are the next steps for your research team? When might we see this technology applied in clinical settings?
**Dr. Kelley:** We are currently working on refining the sensor technology and conducting further preclinical studies in animal models.We are also exploring various applications for this technology, including monitoring the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs and identifying individuals at risk for developing chronic inflammatory diseases.
while it will take time to translate this technology into clinical practice,we are optimistic that our research will pave the way for personalized medicine approaches that can precisely target and manage inflammation,improving the lives of countless patients.
**World today News:** Thank you for sharing your insights,Dr. Kelley. This is truly groundbreaking research with the potential to revolutionize our understanding and treatment of inflammatory diseases.
**Dr. Kelley:** Thank you. We are excited to continue pushing the boundaries of biomedical research and working toward a healthier future.
