SQI leads NU initiative to join ARMI|BioFabUSA

The Simpson Querrey Institute (SQI) has joined the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI)|BioFabUSA, a public-private network leading manufacturers, universities, nonprofit organizations and the federal government looking to develop scalable manufacturing processes for engineered tissues and organs.

The Simpson Querrey Institute (home to the Louis A. Simpson and Kimberley Querrey Center for Regenerative Nanomedicine) has been focused on the development of biomaterials and technologies for regenerative medicine for nearly 20 years. We have a great deal to offer to the efforts at ARMI|BioFabUSA and hope to use the connections and energy to help identify future research needs," said SQI Director Sam Stupp.

The ARMI initiative and its BioFabUSA program will work to integrate and organize the fragmented collection of industry practices and domestic capabilities in tissue biofabrication technology to better position the United States relative to global competition. ARMI|BioFabUSA will also focus on accelerating regenerative tissue research and creating state-of-the-art manufacturing innovations in biomaterial and cell processing for critical Department of Defense (DoD) needs.

"It’s an exciting time for me as a transplant surgeon and biomedical scientist to see the technology evolve," said SQI member Dr. Jason Wertheim. His research group uses cell biology and bioengineering to develop liver, kidney and blood vessel tissue as a cutting-edge solution to organ shortage. "BioFabUSA is bringing together a diverse set of partners to address and solve challenging hurdles in translational regenerative medicine — and I know that I and my colleagues at SQI and Northwestern can contribute to finding those answers."