With the NCI funding—which follows Piece's $25 million growth financing round announced in September—Pieces will partner with Cleveland-based MetroHealth to deploy a new conversational AI agent for cancer patients called "PiecesChat."
Neal Smatresk's decade at UNT sparked big changes and growth, boosting its standing in academics and research. From "record-breaking enrollment" to "making UNT the highest-ranked Tier One institution in the North Texas region," his tenure marks transformation across multiple fronts.
"There are over 10,000 rare diseases that affect millions of people worldwide, and most of them are genetic," notes UT Southwestern's Steven Gray (above, with Susan Iannaccone, M.D.). Testing on a total of eight genetic diseases has been approved for funding by the Bespoke Gene Therapy Consortium and other organizations.
According to the NIH, up to 5% of people worldwide have improperly aligned eyesight—a condition known as strabismus. An even higher percentage of people suffer from computer vision syndrome—digital eye strain caused by prolonged use of digital devices. Today Neurolens announced a milestone in alleviating the conditions' symptoms, seven months after raising $67 million to fund the company's growth.
Last month, we told you about MedCognetics getting FDA clearance for its unbiased AI-enabled software for breast cancer screening. Today, the Dallas-based company announced it has been awarded $750,000 from an NIH program to research unbiased AI for breast cancer detection.
The NIH's AIM-AHEAD program—short for Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity—awarded the grant. "This NIH grant will play an important role in future product development as well as helping us further expand our global market penetration," said MedCognetics CEO Debasish Nag.
UT Southwestern researchers have used gene editing technology to develop what could be a breakthrough for dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that affects one in 250 people worldwide.
“The pace of this field is really breathtaking,” said Eric Olson, Ph.D., who co-led the study. “I expect that if this moves forward into patients, we’re not talking within decades—we’re talking within years.”
The Perot family’s support will expand the number of students admitted to UT Southwestern's dual-degree program as well as research disciplines in which they study, to include biomedical engineering, computational biology, bioinformatics, and data science.
The funding will enhance the curriculum and experiences of Medical Scientist Training Program students and increase efforts to recruit students from elite U.S. colleges, including top international students who want to stay in the U.S. for their careers.
Dallas-based Nanoscope Therapeutics is accelerating the development of therapies that could restore sight in patients with the help of a publicly traded firm. The retinal degenerative diseases-focused biotech company announced a new gene therapy manufacturing partnership with contract research organization Charles River Laboratories International.
The funding from the National Institutes of Health will help UNT HSC at Fort Worth advance its ongoing research on how Alzheimer's disease affects different racial and ethnic groups. Sid O'Bryant, executive director of UNT HSC's Institute for Translational Research, said there's never been a large-scale study like this before.
“This award and project are nothing short of a bio behavioral ‘moonshot’ program," adds Brian Gladue, HSC executive VP for research and innovation.
“Opioids are diabolical, because they actually change the structure and function of your brain; they change the way your reward system works,” said Daniel Powell, CEO at Spark Biomedical.
Plus, Fort Worth's Harvest Returns raises new fund; new Ryan acquisition makes 2022 its most active M&A year; OpTic Gaming acquires Dallas chatbot startup; Dallas legal education firm boosts digital content library; and Fort Worth's Novaria Group acquires firm with giant aerospace clients.
UT Dallas-based Qualia Oto is developing the next generation of cochlear implants, and has announced closing a Series A preferred round of around $1.64 million.
Unlike typical cochlear implants that use bundles of wires attached to a receiver to stimulate the auditory nerve, Qualia Oto’s implant uses thin-film electrode arrays embedded in a polymer, allowing for more contact with the inner ear. That translates to a higher quality and range of sounds that are able to be transmitted.
Also, you'll find out why a researcher at the University of North Texas believes tourism and destination development could help reunite the Korean Peninsula in this roundup of research and development activity in North Texas.
Local startups and researchers can learn how to get federal research-and-tech-driven grant funding and meet federal experts in this conference hosted by the Dallas Regional Chamber.
North Texas is a big place, with plenty to do, see, hear, and watch. We scour the internet every week to find events and activities for you. As always, things may change at any time, so be sure to check the official website or registration page for the latest details....
The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is increasingly recognized as a leading hub of innovative research and technological advancement. Among its most significant contributors is Dr. Walter Voit, whose work has been pivotal in several transformative fields, including flexible electronics, neuroscience, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence (AI)....
Frisco-based cybersecurity company Netwrix has made new executive appointments in its go-to-market leadership team, underscoring its commitment to expanding the company’s global presence, channel success, and product offering.
Britt Norwood joins the company as chief revenue officer and will lead all aspects of the company’s customer lifecycle approach....
Plano-based BGSF, a national consulting and staffing company, announced the appointment of Keith Schroeder to be chief financial officer as part of a company succession plan. Schroeder will succeed John Barnett, who’s served as CFO since 2023....
North Texas is a big place, with plenty to do, see, hear, and watch. We scour the internet every week to find events and activities for you. As always, things may change at any time, so be sure to check the official website or registration page for the latest details....
The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is increasingly recognized as a leading hub of innovative research and technological advancement. Among its most significant contributors is Dr. Walter Voit, whose work has been pivotal in several transformative fields, including flexible electronics, neuroscience, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence (AI)....
Frisco-based cybersecurity company Netwrix has made new executive appointments in its go-to-market leadership team, underscoring its commitment to expanding the company’s global presence, channel success, and product offering.
Britt Norwood joins the company as chief revenue officer and will lead all aspects of the company’s customer lifecycle approach....
Plano-based BGSF, a national consulting and staffing company, announced the appointment of Keith Schroeder to be chief financial officer as part of a company succession plan. Schroeder will succeed John Barnett, who’s served as CFO since 2023....