Thirteen researchers at UCLA have been named recipients of awards from the 2023 UCLA Innovation Fund. These awards, which provide up to $150,000 per project, support early-stage research that leads to commercialization activities typically not funded by basic research grants. As a result, researchers can advance their technologies to a point where the chances of commercial success are significantly increased. Importantly, all awarded projects receive consultations from an external industry and investor advisory panel, which provides essential technical and commercial feedback to drive technology development.
Pirouz Kavehpour, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Professor of Bioengineering, and Professor of Neurosurgery, along with Mitchell Spearrin, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Dr. Page Wang (VA Hospital), and Dr. Leyla Mirmomen (Optimuos), developed SNIFR, which utilizes volatile organic compounds to detect necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) early in infants.
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating gastrointestinal condition that primarily affects premature and low-birth-weight infants, with an incidence rate of 7-10% in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Characterized by inflammation and bacterial invasion of the intestinal wall, NEC can lead to intestinal tissue death, sepsis, and a high risk of mortality if not detected early. Survivors often face long-term complications, such as short bowel syndrome, nutritional deficiencies, and neurodevelopmental delays. The condition places a significant emotional and financial burden on families and healthcare systems, with treatment costs exceeding $500,000 per case in severe instances. Early and accurate detection, such as through technologies like SNIFR, is crucial for improving outcomes and mitigating the devastating effects of NEC on vulnerable infants.
The AI-based artificial nose holds immense potential for diverse applications. By leveraging its ability to analyze volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the technology could be adapted for early diagnosis of other diseases, such as respiratory infections, metabolic disorders, or even cancer. Beyond healthcare, the artificial nose could find applications in environmental monitoring by detecting pollutants or hazardous gases, as well as in food safety, where it could identify spoilage or contamination. Its integration with advanced AI algorithms enables rapid, non-invasive, and highly sensitive diagnostics, paving the way for breakthroughs across fields ranging from medicine to industry and beyond. This versatility positions the artificial nose as a transformative tool across multiple domains.