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Utah Life Sciences News & Events

U Announces Life-Saving Lab Pushing Limits of Medical Technology

October 24, 2024

The University of Utah, one of the nation’s leading research universities, has just announced the launch of a new laboratory called the Applied MedicalEngineering (AME) Lab. The AME Lab’s ambitious mission is to create cutting-edge medical technologies designed to deliver life-saving care to any patient with any injury at any location for any duration. The AME Lab will bridge the gap between advanced healthcare services and the patients who need it most—those in rural communities or stationed in remote research outposts.

With $750 million of research already taking place at the U, the AME Lab will leverage existing efforts on campus to advance the application of engineering, medicine and materials science that will push the limits of what is possible in medical technology. With its launch, the AME Lab has not wasted any time. The Lab has already invested over $1 million to several research projects that can detect kidney injuries, treat heart attacks and replace lost limbs with robotic arms.

“As a nationally recognized research institution and top-tier university, the U provides healthcare services to seven states across the Intermountain West. Our geographic advantage, technological assets, commercialization abilities and leading-edge medical services perfectly position us to serve those in need,” said Dr. Jake Jensen, Associate Vice President for Research at the University of Utah. “Our mission is to ensure that individuals, regardless of their location, have access to state-of-the-art treatments that represent the best the industry has to offer. We are all about saving and improving lives through our advances in applied research.”

In Utah’s aerospace industry, the AME Lab is pioneering the development of RAD-hard chips—chips impervious to radiation—that are critical for space exploration and medical care in extreme environments. These chips are unaffected by radiation, making them ideal for long-term space missions. AME Lab has the unique ability to build these advanced chips and sensors entirely in-house, right on the U campus.

The AME Lab will take center stage at the upcoming 47G Zero Gravity Summit with a special session showcasing its groundbreaking work to revolutionize medical care for patients in remote and underserved areas. This exclusive session will provide Summit attendees with a unique opportunity to directly engage with the Lab’s leadership and contribute insights that will help to shape the future of its innovative research.

“The 47G Zero Gravity Summit is a premier global event focused on national security and frontier technology. We are bringing together hundreds of subject-matter experts from around the world to collaborate on next-generation innovations that will shape the future of aerospace, defense and cyber in Utah,” said Aaron Starks, 47G president and CEO. “Our partnership with the University of Utah’s AME Lab reflects our commitment to collaborate on applied research that will directly benefit Americans serving around the world and right here at home. We look forward to the unveiling of their excellent work at the Summit.”

The Summit partners have announced an extensive line up of federal government officials, Utah- based industry executives, and U professors. Speakers include current and former Members of Congress Blake Moore and Chris Stewart, as well as senior-ranking officials from the U.S. Department of Defense, the White House Economic Council, the U.S. National Security Council, among other entities. CEOs from several Utah aerospace, defense and cyber companies will be speaking and leading U professors will present never-before-seen research findings.

“The 47G Zero Gravity Summit comes at the perfect time,” said Dr. Jensen. “We’re eager to introduce our work to such a forward-thinking audience and gather valuable input from thought leaders who will help us chart the next steps for the AME Lab.” To learn more about the AME Lab’s mission and its groundbreaking innovations, join us at the 47G Zero Gravity Summit held in Salt Lake City on Thursday, October 24, 2024. Complimentary press passes are available to interested reporters upon request.


Media Contacts
Muriel Xochimitl
Public Relations, 47G Utah Aerospace & Defense
muriel@xfactorutah.com
385-225-6418

Amanda Ashley
Director of Communications for Research & Innovation, University of Utah
amanda.ashley@utah.edu
801-581-7792

About the University of Utah

The University of Utah is the state’s flagship institution of higher education, with 18 schools and colleges, more than 100 undergraduate and 90 graduate degree programs and an enrollment of more than 35,000 students. It is a member of the Association of American Universities—an invitation-only, prestigious group of 71 leading research institutions. Recently ranked No.1 Public University in the West by the Wall Street Journal, the U strives to be a model public university in delivering unmatched value in higher education and health care while making social, economic and cultural contributions that improve the quality of life throughout the state, the nation and the world.

About the AME Lab

The University of Utah’s AME Lab is dedicated to developing medical care technologies for the United States Department of Defense that will treat any patient with any injury in any location for any duration. Their mission is U.S. medical superiority advanced through interdisciplinary medical and engineering research and development. Their work is supported by a robust innovation and translation ecosystem to provide mission-ready modernization for the “mission first, people always.”

About 47G

47G is positioning Utah as the world’s premier ecosystem for aerospace, defense and cyber. The organization convenes, promotes, and advocates for companies in Utah that are developing the next generation of aerospace, defense, and cyber technologies. Want to learn more? Visit our website at 47G.org,follow us on LinkedIn and X, and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.