The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has awarded the University of Arkansas at Little Rock a $5.6 million grant to advance the NuCress™ scaffold, a groundbreaking bone regeneration technology. Continue reading “U.S. Department of Defense awards UA Little Rock $5.6 million grant to develop bone regeneration technology”
Nine employees from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock rode nearly 550 miles in honor of a vice chancellor’s brother who is battling cancer. Continue reading “UA Little Rock employees ride Tour de Rock in honor of vice chancellor’s brother”
A University of Arkansas at Little Rock doctoral student is receiving accolades for her research studying 3D models for the treatment of pancreatic cancer using nanomedicine. Continue reading “UA Little Rock student wins awards for research into treatment of pancreatic cancer using nanomedicine”
An article written by University of Arkansas at Little Rock researchers, students, and collaborators has been accepted for publication into “Nanoscale,” a peer-reviewed scientific journal, as well as included in the 2018 Nanoscale HOT Article Collection. Continue reading “UA Little Rock nanotechnology researchers discover new method to quantify graphene at the cellular level”
A University of Arkansas at Little Rock professor and several doctoral students are researching heat tolerance in rice in hopes of helping rice farmers improve their yield – and ultimately – reduce hunger. Continue reading “UA Little Rock receives $1 million to study genetics of heat-tolerant rice”
Dr. Shawn Bourdo, research assistant professor at the Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has received an $85,500 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study how certain nanomaterials may enhance healing in bone wounds. Continue reading “UA Little Rock researcher studies how nanomaterials can speed healing in bone wounds”
Dr. Kieng Bao Vang-Dings, research assistant professor at the Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, received $49,509 from the Center for Advanced Surface Engineering to study the effects of tunable nanosystems on the human immune system.
This study will help scientists understand the immune system’s response to nanosystems – important knowledge as nanosystems are increasingly used in both medical interventions and everyday products.
Tunable nanosystems are tiny materials (measured between 1 to 100 nanometers) that can be manipulated for use in various science and engineering applications, including cancer treatments, regenerative medicine, and neural stem cell differentiation. With this growing prevalence in mind, Vang-Dings will study how one commonly used nanosystem, gold nanoparticles coated with silver, interacts with the immune system.
“The immune system is the body’s primary defense against pathogenic microorganisms,” Vang-Dings said. “If tunable nanosystems are to be used in biomedical applications, we must fully understand how they can influence the immune system.”
Vang-Dings will collaborate with Dr. Alexandru Biris, director and chief scientist of the Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences at UA Little Rock. The research team will use surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to monitor the nanomaterials’ interaction with primary immune cells for seven days. The team will then assess any surface protein or cytokine changes caused by treatment with the nanosystem.
The project was awarded through the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s seed grant program, which supports Arkansas researchers in higher education who focus on creating nanomaterials that are useful for various science and engineering applications.
Vang-Dings joined UA Little Rock in 2015. She received a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Minnesota in 2002 and a doctorate in microbiology, immunology, and cancer from the University of Minnesota in 2010.
This project is sponsored by the National Science Foundation under award number 1457888. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Contributing Editor Lydia Perry / Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Photo by Benjamin Krain
A University of Arkansas at Little Rock spin-off company, NuShores Biosciences, LLC, has received a $1.7 million grant to study how NuShores’ bone regeneration technology can be applied in craniofacial tissues. Continue reading “NuShores Biosciences receives $1.7 million grant to study bone regeneration technology”
When most people think of tea and molasses, their thoughts don’t stray any further than the kitchen. Continue reading “Central High School student mentored by UA Little Rock professors wins more than $60k for outstanding research”
Alexis Andres, Consul General of France in Houston, Texas, visited the University of Arkansas at Little Rock on Monday, Feb. 12, touring campus and visiting with French students. Continue reading “French Consul General visits UA Little Rock”