Nanomaterials can manifest new material properties when clusters of nanoparticle crystals are connected by more randomly distributed particles. In many nanoparticle systems, graph theory offers a framework to quantify and tune complexity, defined as the mix of order and randomness. The findings bring University of Michigan Engineering’s Center for Complex Particle Systems closer to its goal of designing bio-inspired materials with properties rarely, if ever, seen in nature.

At an ultralow intravenous dose (0.003 milligrams per kilogram), CRYSTAL activated STING in mice, dogs, and nonhuman primates without cytokine release syndrome. CRYSTAL induced robust tumor regression in advanced murine and rabbit models, remodeled immunosuppressive environments, and promoted host STING–dependent CD8+ T cell priming. CRYSTAL activated interferon responses in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma biopsies, underscoring its translational potential for cancer immunotherapy.

“Because our immune system is designed to protect against pathogens, we believe we can utilize our immune system to fight against many other diseases, including cancer. So my lab has been using drugs, as well as dietary fibers that can boost immune responses against various diseases, including cancer.”

Congratulations, Dr. Carlos Aguilar, on being named to the College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE). Election to the AIMBE College of Fellows is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to medical and biological engineers, comprised of the top two percent of engineers in these fields.

Researchers at U-M Biomedical Engineering, led by Lonnie Shea, Steven A. Goldstein Collegiate Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Ph.D. student Kate Griffin, and Jeff Ma, Ph.D., have published a study in Cell Biomaterials revealing a new approach to treating metastatic cancer using specially designed nanoparticles. This innovation could mark a major turning point in how metastatic cancers are treated in the future.

“At the University of Michigan, we want to be focused on not just for our specific patients but for people in Michigan. We want to be focused on bringing people the most up to date clinical trials, the latest technology, so that it can be available to people.” Dr. Matthew Willsey

Congratulations to Dr. James Moon, Dr. Steven Schwendeman, Dr. Anna Schwendeman, Dr. Guizhi (Julian) Zhu, and Dr. Peter Tessier on being named as apart of 2025’s World’s Top 2% Scientists Network!

Their continued impact on the scientific community is inspiring!