Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai Medical Center launched the Medically Associated Science and Technology program to advance treatments for gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders.
Here are four things to know:
1. MAST investigators are currently focusing on areas of the microbiome linked to irritable bowel syndrome and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
2. The Cedars-Sinai Technology Transfer Office and the Burns & Allen Research Institute at Cedars-Sinai partnered to create the program.
3. Since its inception, MAST researchers have developed a breath test to identify the presence of hydrogen sulfide among gases present in patients with diarrhea. The program has applied for patents for a four-gas breath test device, which is expected to be available to patients by the end of 2018.
4. The MAST team also developed Lotus, a system designed to safely and precisely collect samples from patients' small intestines. Cedars-Sinai licensed the technology to Stafford Springs, Conn.-based Hobbs Medical, an endoscopy accessories manufacturer and supplier.
Here is more information on the MAST program.
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