Research and Innovation to Translate Basic Science into Product Candidates
The Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS) translates fundamental research into innovative product candidates, technologies, and services that deliver benefits to human health and well-being. Our specific objectives are to: (1) Become a catalyst and resource for ‘applied’ and ‘translational’ R&D activities; (2) Establish industry engagement models and industry collaborations; (3) Contribute to workforce development; and (4) Participate to innovation & entrepreneurship culture on campus.
Upcoming Events
Information Session-Translational Seed Awards
Manning/IALS Innovation Program and U.S. NSF Accelerating Research Translation Program
Attendance by lead faculty PIs is mandatory at one of the sessions as a prerequisite to submit a letter of intent. Affiliated graduate students, business mentors, and/or startup co-founders are welcome to attend with the PI.
Registration Required
Fireside Chat with Danielle O’Neal
Come learn how the current investment climate is shaping decision-making across the sector, what early-stage research-driven startups can do to differentiate themselves, and how to approach both dilutive and non-dilutive capital options strategically.
New Horizons in Hyperpolarized MRI-Core Facilities Seminar
Speakers: Dr. Sella Brosh, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of NVision Imaging Technologies and Dr. Paul Weavers, General Manager of North America for NVision
Host: S. Sendhil Velan, Director of hMRC
Abstract:
Recent News
IALS Welcomes New Staff
Welcome to Lindsey Litwak, Seth Glass, Matthew Belden, and S. Sendhil Velan!
Nurse-Engineer Team Honored with an ANA Innovation Award for Inventing New IV Pole Designed to Improve Patient Safety
Karen Giuliano and Juan Jiménez won honorable mention in the 2025 Team Innovation Award category.
UMass Amherst Announces the Recipients of the Translational Seed Awards
The University of Massachusetts Amherst has announced that seven campus research teams have been named recipients of the annual Translational Seed Awards.
Translational Research
Center for Bioactive Delivery
CBD creates new ways to deliver “The right drug to the right place: by creating novel delivery platforms for small and large molecules.” Developing a wide range of delivery platforms matched to bioactive molecular delivery needs based on fundamental design principles, including nanoemulsions, nanoparticles, hybrid particles, bacteria, and hydrogels.
Center for Personalized Health Monitoring
CPHM seeks to tackle real-world problems in the emerging field of digital healthcare, wearable sensor technologies, and personalized, precision healthcare delivery, interfacing closely with provider networks, hospitals, and industry across the Massachusetts Commonwealth, and the world.
Models to Medicine Center
M2M leverages mechanistic insights into molecular pathways implicated in cell health and in disease pathology to identify novel drug targets and therapeutic candidates.
Welcome to the IALS Virtual Tour
Shared Resources
We work together with researchers toward a singular goal: advancing applied science and technology to address the world’s most pressing challenges. The UMass Amherst Core Facilities offer expertise and resources that create new opportunities, not only for scientific achievement, but also for establishing new models of collaboration.
Light Microscopy
Nine different Nikon microscopes available that enable a full range of light microscopy methods and applications. Expert support offered for acquisition and analysis of data.
X-Ray Scattering
Housing several instruments dedicated to the structural analysis of crystalline materials, the determination of highly periodic morphologies in self-assembled systems over a large length scale range.
Additional Campus Resources
Additional resources available throughout the UMass community.
Featured Content
Innovation Services
IALS Venture Development programs are here to help you! Our programs support development of startups and industry partnerships by UMass researchers based upon their technologies and product concepts.
Student Engagement
Providing students from Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) hands-on training and experience in the use and operation of a state-of-the art research equipment, experience gathering data and data analysis, and the development of team science.
Funding & Benefits
IALS Research Centers (CBD, CPHM, M2M) contribute incentive funds to stimulate novel uses of the Core Facilities as well as subsidize training for student users. The IALS midigrant is a flexible seed fund mechanism up to $20,000 to enable new translational research and explore new collaborations within IALS. The Manning/IALS Innovation Grants provide up to $100,000/award to advance translational and applied R&D efforts from faculty groups and startup companies.