Indiana University awarded funding to six research teams pursuing defense-focused biotechnology projects through the IU Applied Research Center and IU Launch Accelerator for Biosciences’ National Security Biotech for Defense program.
The awards were announced at the IU Biotechnology Symposium on October 8 at IU Indianapolis.
The program is designed to advance biotechnology research with potential national security applications while positioning IU researchers for future federal funding opportunities.
The latest funding round is focused on projects aligned with the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology’s third strategic pillar, which calls for maximizing the benefits of biotechnology for defense.
IU said the program is intended to prepare researchers to pursue expanding Department of Defense biotechnology investments and strengthen the capabilities of the IU Applied Research Center.
It also supports Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane’s role in the Bioindustrial Manufacturing and Design Ecosystem, a Manufacturing Innovation Institute sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense.
The six funded projects span medical diagnostics, battlefield reconnaissance, advanced materials, biological imaging, marine coatings, and wound treatment.
Mangilal Agarwal, a professor of biomedical engineering and informatics at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering at IU Indianapolis, is co-leading the VIBRANT project with Mithun Sinha of the IU School of Medicine.
The project is developing a non-invasive approach to rapidly detect and monitor wound infections, with potential applications for clinicians and military medical personnel in hospitals, resource-limited environments, and battlefield settings.
Rudy Banerjee, an associate professor of geography at IU Indianapolis, is leading a project with Christine Picard and Mohammad Al Hasan that pairs small, low-cost disposable drones with living insects.
The system is being developed to detect hidden biological and chemical threats in dangerous environments where conventional technology may be less effective.
David Clemmer, Distinguished Professor and Robert and Marjorie Mann Chair of the Department of Chemistry at IU Bloomington, is leading research focused on technologies for studying the structures and stability of biological molecules.
The work could support new approaches for enriching or depleting environmental metals, including rare metals with national and commercial importance.
Bogdan Dragnea, Provost Professor in the Department of Chemistry at IU Bloomington, is leading Project NIR-ViCORE Sentinel.
The project will use virus-inspired protein cages to develop programmable biological nanoparticles that control light, combining protein engineering, chemistry, nanotechnology, and advanced optical measurements.
IU said the platform could support advanced biological imaging and rapid environmental biosurveillance.
Vikram Jadhao, associate professor of intelligent systems engineering at IU Bloomington, is developing cage-shielded enzymes intended to maintain long-term catalytic activity and stability.
The research could support high-performance enzymatic coatings for marine environments, potentially helping reduce biofouling on ship hulls, bridge pillars, and pipelines.
Sébastien Laulhé, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at IU Indianapolis, is developing fast-curing adhesives made from amino acids produced through fermentation rather than petroleum-based materials.
The project could eventually support wound closure in field and combat environments as well as protective coatings made from renewable, domestically produced ingredients.
KEY QUOTES:
“Biotechnology is critical to our national security, economic competitiveness and quality of life. Our National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology laid out a roadmap to ensure the United States leads the next age of biotechnology, and Indiana University is well-positioned to help turn that vision into reality. By bringing together talented researchers across disciplines, IU is advancing the kind of innovation that will strengthen America’s leadership in this critical field.”
U.S. Sen. Todd Young
“America’s academic institutions have long been engines of scientific discovery. Institutions like Indiana University are critical to translating that discovery into national strength. The IU ARC and IU LAB National Security Biotech for Defense program will help innovators move promising biotechnology breakthroughs from the lab into new capabilities and companies, while strengthening U.S. biotechnology leadership and our national security.”
Michelle Rozo, Vice Chair of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology
“IU’s tremendous research expertise can help address some of the nation’s most pressing biotechnology challenges. These awards will move our expertise into defense-relevant applications, strengthen partnerships with key leaders like NSWC Crane, and position IU researchers to secure major federal investments in biotechnology and national security.”
Russell J. Mumper, Vice President for Research at Indiana University
