CBM2 Secures $6.0M NIH Funding for 5 More Years


The Center of BioModular Multi-Scale Systems for Precision Medicine (CBM2) proudly announces the renewal of its $6.0 million NIH funding for the next 5 years. As one of 50 National Biotechnology Resource Centers (P41 Centers), CBM2 uniquely stands as the sole P41 Center within an NIH Institutional Development Awards (IDeA) state.

Led by Prof. Steven A. Soper at the University of Kansas (KU), CBM2 thrives at the intersection of micro- and nanotechnologies. Initially funded in 2015 at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and relocated to KU in 2016, CBM2 continues under Prof. Soper's visionary leadership.

CBM2 team posing for a photo on a staircase.

The recent successful renewal in September 2021 follows a rigorous NIH review, solidifying CBM2's commitment to advancing precision medicine. Collaborating with partner institutions, CBM2 focuses on developing plastic-based lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technologies for the analysis of liquid biopsy markers.

CBM2 collaborates with clinicians nationwide, testing its technologies in various diseases, including stroke and viral infections like COVID-19. The center is also translating its discoveries into the marketplace, partnering with companies like BioFluidica, Inc., to advance diagnostic capabilities and contribute to clinical trials for conditions such as pancreatic cancer.

To ensure its legacy, CBM2 emphasizes education and training, with Dr. Małgorzata A. Witek managing an extensive program, reaching over 1,000 students annually, and sharing experiences with institutions in Sharp Hub IDeA states to improve national research competitiveness.

CBM2's renewal is not just a financial milestone but a testament to its enduring commitment to pushing precision medicine boundaries and fostering the next generation of multidisciplinary scientists.