Behind the Find: Mandi Lopez DVM, PhD

Dr. Mandi Lopez is a board-certified large animal surgeon with graduate degrees in applied biomechanics. She uses her surgical expertise and engineering background to develop medical applications, including new devices, tools, and treatments for animals and humans.

Read her thoughts on research commercialization and her recent invention a neotissue and stem cell syringe.

Can you tell us a little bit about your research/invention?

Our device is intended to be a one-stop solution to transport and apply new tissues that are grown from adult stem cells.

It must be transported under very controlled conditions and administered in a sterile environment to avoid contamination when injected. So, we created a device that can hold the new tissue grown in the laboratory, transport it to the doctor or veterinarian administering it, and then inject it without the need for unpackaging or transferring between different syringes.

Can you explain the importance of this transferring device?

Stem cells have become “all the rage” for nearly 20 years. One of the limitations (or major challenges) has been maintaining the viability and purity of these cells and the tissues they produce during transportation from lab to clinic.

Our research and innovation address this by allowing seamless transfer from the culture vessel to the transport and administration device, eliminating the need for multiple transfers and specialized environments. This technology is particularly geared towards treating musculoskeletal injuries like tendon and ligament issues.

I could only imagine that this was no easy feat. Could you walk us through the journey from ideation to the final product?

The journey from idea to product is never as straightforward as it seems. It involved numerous iterations, failures, and creative problem-solving. We experimented with various chamber designs, plunger mechanisms, and other intricate details until we developed a sophisticated yet user-friendly device. Each component underwent refinement to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.

What advice would you offer to researchers or professors interested in innovation but unsure where to begin?

Embrace your creativity and believe in the potential of your ideas. While it's essential to validate your concept with research and develop it to a practical stage, even the simplest idea holds promise. Seek feedback from diverse sources to refine and enhance your concept, leveraging perspectives outside your field to identify opportunities and address needs effectively. Trust in your creativity and persistence to drive innovation forward.