The University of Hawaiʻi has launched a new office that will serve as a central hub for grant support, research development and funding opportunities to help boost scientific discovery, increase research capacity and stimulate workforce development in the state.

Backed by the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the was created to help faculty and students from higher education institutions located in the Hawaiʻi EPSCoR/IDeA jurisdiction (encompassing the state of Hawaiʻi) to expand their research efforts, while enhancing the impact and visibility of Hawaiʻi-based research across the nation.

“The launch of this office is an important step in strengthening our state鈥檚 research capacity and expanding support for faculty and students,” 东精影业 President Wendy Hensel said. “By building stronger partnerships and increasing access to federal funding, we can accelerate discovery, grow Hawaiʻi鈥檚 research workforce and deliver meaningful impact for our communities.”

The EPSCoR program is a federal initiative designed to strengthen research capacity and competitiveness across states, territories and jurisdictions that historically have received a smaller share of federal research funding. In 2016, NSF awarded 东精影业 a five-year $20 million grant for its ʻIke Wai (knowledge of fresh water) project to conduct geophysical research to better understand the dynamics of freshwater aquifers around the state. In addition to providing updated information on water flows and capacities, the study helped to more accurately map the contaminant flow from subsequent leaks into the aquifer that contributed to the eventual shutdown of the U.S. Navy鈥檚 Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oʻahu in 2022. Currently, 东精影业鈥檚 Change Hawaiʻi project leverages AI, machine learning and high-resolution data to advance climate resilience and ecosystem monitoring across the islands.

Similarly, the IDeA program works to broaden the geographic distribution of biomedical research funding in states and territories that have historically received lower levels of NIH research funding. In Hawaiʻi, IDeA enriches 东精影业 programs such as 东精影业 Mānoa鈥檚 Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) and its Diabetic Research Center; the Hawaiʻi IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), which helps to fortify research programs statewide to increase the number of undergraduate students seeking a biomedical science career; and the Center for Pacific Innovations, Knowledge, and Opportunities (PIKO) that aid medically underserved populations in Hawaiʻi by improving clinical and translational research infrastructure.

“The launch of the Hawaiʻi EPSCoR/IDeA Office represents an important step forward in strengthening our state鈥檚 innovation ecosystem,” said Amy Asselbaye, executive director of City and County of Honolulu鈥檚 Office of Economic Revitalization. “As a member of the Hawaiʻi EPSCoR Jurisdictional Steering Committee (JSC), I鈥檓 excited to play a role in aligning research priorities and translating federal investment into meaningful, community-centered outcomes. By advancing collaboration and increasing local research, we can support scientific discovery while creating pathways for economic diversification, workforce development, long-term resilience for Hawaiʻi, and a better quality of life for our people.”

The 东精影业 Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation oversees and provides administrative support for Hawaiʻi EPSCoR/IDeA initiatives. The Hawaiʻi EPSCoR/IDeA Office is currently working with JSC—a strategic advisory body comprised of members from local government, business, higher education, health, and community based organizations—on a new Hawaiʻi Science and Technology Plan (S&T Plan). The S&T Plan will serve as a five-year strategic road map to enhance the state鈥檚 research competitiveness, economic resilience and workforce through science, technology and data-driven innovation, by building on Hawaiʻi鈥檚 unique geographical, cultural and ecological strengths.

“The role of the Hawaiʻi EPSCoR/IDeA Office is to serve as quarterback for a team of outstanding faculty and students from higher education institutions in Hawaiʻi to help secure critical funding and infrastructure for their critical research that impacts not only our state, but the world,” said 东精影业 Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation Chad Walton. “Armed with a new S&T Plan that reflects the state鈥檚 research priorities, it is our goal to foster more public-private-academic collaboration to further strengthen our state鈥檚 research capacity and ultimately—our economy.”

The University of Hawaiʻi has been designated as a new Pacific Reef Research Coordination Institute (Pacific RRCI) by the (NOAA) to support coral reef conservation in the Pacific through research, collaboration and public education.

The Pacific RRCI will be housed in 东精影业鈥檚 , under the aegis of the , and will perform the following critical functions: conduct federally directed research to fill national and regional gaps; collaborate with relevant states and territories, Indigenous groups, coral reef managers, non-governmental organizations, and other coral reef research centers; assist in the implementation of the NOAA鈥檚 National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy and coral reef action plans; build non-federal capacity for management and restoration practices; and conduct public education and awareness programs.

“This new institute combines 东精影业鈥檚 strengths in cutting-edge, ocean-related research and our collaborative, place-based approach to working with resource managers throughout Hawaiʻi and the Pacific to protect our vital coral reefs,” said Chad B. Walton, 东精影业 interim vice president for research and innovation. “At the same time, it provides us with further opportunities to develop our region鈥檚 next generation of researchers and managers in the field of conservation futures.”

To restore and preserve coral reef ecosystems in the U.S. from natural and human-related effects, the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 was reauthorized and modernized by the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021, which was included in the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act that became law in 2022. The reauthorized law required the designation of two RRCIs, one each in the Atlantic and Pacific basins, was required. The RRCIs were chosen from 32 preselected coral reef research centers and were designated based on the results of technical merit and panel reviews. The Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021 was introduced and sponsored by Hawaiʻi Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie K. Hirono, and Congressman Ed Case.

The 东精影业-led institute will be guided by experienced reef researchers from 东精影业 Mānoa鈥檚 Kewalo Marine Laboratory and the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, 东精影业 Hilo鈥檚 Marine Sciences program, and the University of Guam鈥檚 Marine Laboratory. It will support research, monitoring, capacity building and outreach for coral reef management throughout the U.S states and territories of American Samoa, Guam, Hawaiʻi, and the Northern Marianas Islands and with the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

“Many people worked many years to make this vision for collaborative reef research across the Pacific a reality,” said Suzanne Case, director of the Office of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures. “We鈥檙e excited to jump in with scientists and communities and agencies across the region to take it forward.”

A University of Hawaiʻi-born climate technology startup has been named a winner of the Water Resilience Challenge, an international competition announced in Davos, Switzerland.

HCL (Hindustan Computers Limited) Group and UpLink, the early-stage innovation platform of the World Economic Forum, selected as one of 10 “aquapreneurs” from more than 300 applicants worldwide. The challenge is part of the CHF (Confoederatio Helvetica Franc, the official currency code for the Swiss franc) 15 million Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative supporting scalable solutions to global freshwater challenges.

The winning ventures, representing nine countries, will share CHF 1.75 million (approx. $2.25 million USD) in funding and receive mentorship and access to global networks to help scale their technologies. This year鈥檚 challenge focused on strengthening water infrastructure resilience, improving water use in agriculture and increasing efficiency across technology and energy sectors.

Hohonu: real-time flood, water-level monitoring

Founded by 东精影业 Mānoa faculty and staff, Hohonu develops real-time, hyperlocal flood and water-level monitoring systems using connected sensors and cloud-based software. The company鈥檚 low-cost sensors transmit data every few minutes, providing communities with timely information to guide emergency response, infrastructure planning and climate adaptation.

“This recognition affirms that solutions developed in island communities can have global relevance,” said Brian Glazer, Hohonu CEO and co-founder, and associate professor in 东精影业 Mānoa鈥檚 . “Building tools alongside the people most affected by flooding has shaped how we think about access, equity and long-term resilience, and it鈥檚 exciting to see that approach resonate on an international stage.”

Hohonu was launched in 2019, resulting from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, National Science Foundation and philanthropic funded research in Glazer鈥檚 lab dating back to 2014. The company also received early support and seed funding through 东精影业 innovation and commercialization programs, including investment from the student-run Calvin Shindo Student Venture Fund out of 东精影业鈥檚 . 东精影业 is a partial equity owner.

Hohonu has deployed sensors across Hawaiʻi and today operates in 18 states and more than 200 locations, supporting projects ranging from Native Hawaiian fishpond restoration to large-scale coastal resilience efforts on the east coast of the U.S. Its technology is designed to democratize access to environmental data for frontline communities facing increased flooding driven by climate change.

“We are extremely proud of Hohonu鈥檚 continuing success and recognition in the water resilience innovation space,” said Chad Walton, interim vice president for research and innovation. “The technology that was developed by Brian Glazer and his team in 东精影业 labs and tested in fishponds around the state is a true example of blending Indigenous knowledge with contemporary science to provide solutions not only for Hawaiʻi, but for the world.”

Previous 东精影业 News stories on Hohonu:

• 东精影业 technology startup provides flood monitoring, real-time data in Maryland, June 14, 2024
• Flooding Hawaiian fishponds get help from 东精影业 technology startup, February 28, 2023
• New 东精影业 student-run venture fund announces first investments, August 18, 2022
• 东精影业 innovators, entrepreneurs awarded for ‘re-imagining’ state鈥檚 economy, March 9, 2022
• 东精影业 startup improves flood-risk management in 54 U.S. communities, October 18, 2021

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa students, faculty and staff brought research from the lab to the Legislature on February 3, showcasing projects that address pressing health, environmental and resilience challenges across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

The fourth annual 东精影业 Mānoa Research Day took place on the fourth floor of the Hawaiʻi State Capitol, where approximately 100 undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, faculty and staff shared their work through informational displays, demonstrations and interactive activities.

This year鈥檚 event highlighted the theme of “One Health,” an interdisciplinary approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant and environmental health. Exhibits emphasized community-based research designed to strengthen resilience statewide and throughout the Pacific region.

“This is the ‘university of the people.’ It’s the main state research university,” Robert Wright, 东精影业 Mānoa Interim Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship said. “The faculty are incredibly inventive, they work very hard, they鈥檙e bringing in quite a lot of money. And not everyone, not everywhere has a university like Hawaiʻi.”

东精影业 Mānoa Research Day invited state leaders, lawmakers, community advocates and the public to engage directly with researchers and learn how university-led projects are addressing issues such as public health, environmental sustainability, food systems and disaster preparedness.

“The various research components that I’ve seen ranging from childcare, immigrant services to culture and the arts,” Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke said. “This is not just important for the sectors that they are representing, but it’s really important for our various industries and our economy as a whole.”

For student researchers, the day offered them an opportunity to share their work beyond campus. Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a parasite that affects people, animals and the environment in Hawaiʻi. Jerrisa Ching Choe, a PhD student at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, and her research team, use a “one health” approach to understand how the disease spreads between humans, animals and the places we share, with the goal of helping communities, pets and wildlife stay healthier across the islands.

“Being here at 东精影业 Mānoa Research Day is such an honorable privilege, to be able to share more about my research, but also be able to engage with the community, our politicians and legislature—and to be able to not only to share new knowledge with people, but to also take action towards addressing some of the challenges that we face here,” she said.

The event comes as 东精影业 Mānoa continues to expand its research enterprise. The campus earned a record $570.4 million in extramural awards in fiscal year 2024–25, helping drive 东精影业鈥檚 10-campus system to a record-breaking $734 million in total awards during the same period.

东精影业 Mānoa is one of only four U.S. universities designated simultaneously as a land-, sea-, space- and sun-grant institution. It is also one of 107 public universities classified as Carnegie R1, denoting the highest level of research activity, and is consistently ranked among the top 1–2% of universities worldwide.

More information about 东精影业 Mānoa Research Day is .

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is expanding its role in shaping the state鈥檚 energy and resilience future through a new $1.8-million federal investment supporting advanced visualization and planning tools developed by the (LAVA), in partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office (HSEO).

The funding supports the continued development of the Hawaiʻi Advanced Visualization Energy Nexus (HAVEN) system—an interactive 3D platform that helps policymakers, planners and communities better understand complex energy infrastructure, land-use tradeoffs and resilience planning decisions. HAVEN makes technical planning data accessible to users with varying levels of expertise, supporting transparent and informed decision making across the state.

“HAVEN represents a new generation of planning tools that combine immersive visualization, geospatial intelligence and emerging AI capabilities,” said Jason Leigh, 东精影业 Mānoa professor and LAVA Lab director. “With this support, we can scale these technologies statewide while training the next generation of visualization, data science and AI professionals here in Hawaiʻi.”

Increase security, modernize grid

As Hawaiʻi moves to increase energy security and modernize its aging grid, communities face difficult choices around infrastructure siting, regional impacts and costs. HAVEN enables users to visualize scenarios, explore planning model inputs and outputs, and assess cascading impacts related to energy, land use and disaster preparedness.

“HAVEN visualization technologies have proven to be extremely effective in making energy plans and analysis more approachable,” said Chris Yunker, managing director of resilience, clean transportation and analytics for HSEO. “The resulting energy plans incorporate informed input from policy makers and local communities.”

Over a multi-year period, HSEO and the LAVA Lab will expand HAVEN鈥檚 capabilities, integrate complementary visualization tools, and explore how AI can help make these visualization tools easier to use and available to more communities. The HAVEN project also supports workforce development by providing 东精影业 graduate students with hands-on experience in advanced data visualization.

The Department of Information and Computer Sciences is housed in 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 .

Eleven emerging scientists will soon take on some of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 most urgent environmental and scientific challenges through a new University of Hawaiʻi systemwide postdoctoral fellowship program, funded by a $2 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. From safeguarding coral reefs to exploring the origins of the universe, these scholars will help drive discoveries to shape the future of the Pacific and beyond.

“As federal support for research becomes increasingly constrained, philanthropy plays a crucial role in fueling innovation and discovery,” said Harvey V. Fineberg, president of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. “At the Moore Foundation, we invest where science can make long-term, measurable change and in the talented people whose ideas will shape the future.”

Developed through a partnership among 东精影业鈥檚 , 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 (OVPRS) and , this initiative strengthens the university鈥檚 research enterprise, encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and supports the development of future scientific leaders.

“This fellowship program exemplifies the power of strategic philanthropic partnership,” said OVPRS Research Program Officer Tarra McNally. “Our long-standing relationship with the Moore Foundation continues to nurture the next generation of scholars who will advance research in Hawaiʻi and beyond.”

From 2025 to 2028, the program will support 11 postdoctoral scholars working in astronomy, oceanography, life sciences, geophysics, atmospheric science and other fields vital to Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. Each fellow will receive up to two years of funding for salary and benefits, enabling them to focus on high-impact projects addressing critical scientific and environmental challenges.

“The Moore Foundation has been a steadfast partner to the University of Hawaiʻi for many years,” said Chad Walton, interim vice president for research and innovation. His office oversees research operations across the university鈥檚 10 campuses. “Their sustained investment has strengthened 东精影业 research programs across disciplines—supporting scientists, seeding discovery and elevating Hawaiʻi鈥檚 role as a global leader in innovation.”

Building on that history of support, 东精影业 President Wendy Hensel added, “The Moore Foundation鈥檚 ongoing commitment has enabled 东精影业 researchers to pursue bold ideas that might otherwise go unexplored. This fellowship program continues that legacy, empowering early-career scholars whose work will expand knowledge, drive innovation and benefit communities across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.”

Founded by Gordon and Betty Moore, the foundation supports breakthroughs in science and environmental conservation. Through this fellowship, 东精影业 and the Moore Foundation are investing in people, research and ideas that will help build a more sustainable and informed future.

For more information about the fellowship program, .

A health tech startup improving how community health workers (CHW) document client visits took the $2,000 first place prize in the second annual , hosted by the (PACE) in the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补鈥檚 . The startup was one of 12 interdisciplinary teams made up of 东精影业 Mānoa students that competed in the two-week challenge.

The competition was co-hosted by , a software platform led by a Shidler and PACE alumnus, that empowers community-based organizations to address the social drivers of health. It highlighted PACE鈥檚 mission to bridge academic learning with practical, work-based problem-solving.

“Innovate 808 shows how powerful interdisciplinary learning can be when we connect students to real community partners,” PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama said. “The ideas generated this year show that innovation truly thrives in collaboration.”

Interdisciplinary collaboration

The students in this year鈥檚 challenge represented 10 东精影业 Mānoa colleges and schools. The result was a dynamic combination of technical, social and entrepreneurial ideas to support Hawaiʻi鈥檚 community health workforce.

The winning team, Pear Lens, created a photo-based note capture and conversion tool that allows CHW to document client interactions more efficiently while maintaining data privacy. The team came together as four solo applicants met for the first time during the competition: Justin Paul Alejo (business), Jennifer Kawata (public administration), Biplav Paudel (business) and Ivy Vo (business).

“The competition brought together a diverse team of complete strangers to solve a complex challenge, but we quickly found our rhythm and collaborated seamlessly to propose a simple yet powerful idea,” Kawata said.

Kawehi Kea-Scott, a Pear Suite judge who used to work as a CHW, commended the team for “meeting CHWs where they are” by respecting existing workflows while introducing low-friction technology. “The fact that these students built a fully functioning prototype in just two weeks is remarkable,” Kea-Scott said.

Initially the competition was planned as a winner-takes-all prize structure, but the judges were so impressed by the presentations that three runner-up prizes were added. Each student from the following three teams won $350.

• Jayden Ronel Villanueva, Shannon Tai and Jaylyn-Kate Balon developed a tiered education and certification pathway with AI-generated feedback and mentoring for aspiring CHWs.
• Tate Goodman, Mau Tsujimura, Micah Tajiri and Lenox Covington created a machine-learning workflow tool that helps CHWs select the most effective resources for their clients.
• Logan Lee, Tristan Ta and Yeunggyun Kwon designed a referral platform that connects CHWs and clients based on shared experience and training, fostering stronger engagement.

Takeda invited the winning teams to present their solutions to his executive team and encouraged all participants to consider internships and employment at Pear Suite, as he shared that Pear Suite will be continuing its nationwide expansion after he recently raised $7.6 million in funding.

“Just try it, go out there and find problems to solve,” Takeda said. “Being able to test ideas, try new things and see what the feedback is from your customers is a great way to learn and grow.”

Teams were also mentored by Jeff Hui, PACE‘s entrepreneur in residence, who advised students to “take advantage of these real world experiences. These are the opportunities that open doors to new career paths and set you apart when you are interviewing for a job.”

Hawaiʻi鈥檚 research community and residents are being asked to help shape the state鈥檚 next five-year Science & Technology (S&T) Plan. (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research), managed by the University of Hawaiʻi, is gathering public input through an online survey to identify priorities that will guide future research and innovation across the islands.

Help shape Hawaiʻi鈥檚 science future

The S&T Plan is set to launch in 2026. Community input is being gathered through a brief, 15-question online survey. The survey is open to researchers, educators, policymakers, industry professionals and community members statewide.

The deadline to participate in the survey is October 31.

The S&T plan will serve as a strategic roadmap for Hawaiʻi鈥檚 research and innovation priorities in light of recent changes to National Science Foundation (NSF) and EPSCoR program policies. Once completed, it will reflect Hawaiʻi鈥檚 unique needs, perspectives, strengths and opportunities in science and technology, and align the state鈥檚 priorities with federal research opportunities.

“This planning process is critical to keeping Hawaiʻi competitive for major federal research awards, which bring in millions of dollars into the state to the growth of local science and innovation,” said 东精影业 Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation Chad Walton, who also serves on EPSCoR/IdeA Foundation Board of Directors. “We encourage representatives for all sectors and the community to participate, as your insight is essential to strengthening Hawaiʻi鈥檚 research and development ecosystem and improving our competitiveness for federal research funding.”

For more about the Hawaiʻi EPSCoR program or the S&T plan, contact Walton at cwalton@hawaii.edu.

For an island state like Hawaiʻi, fresh water is a precious commodity. It is life. That is why in 2016, the NSF awarded 东精影业 a five-year $20 million grant for its ʻIke Wai (knowledge of fresh water) project to conduct geophysical research to better understand the dynamics of freshwater aquifers around the state. In addition to providing updated information on water flows and capacities, the study helped to more accurately map the contaminant flow from subsequent leaks into the aquifer that contributed to the eventual shutdown of the U.S. Navy鈥檚 Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oʻahu in 2022.

NSF provided this grant through EPSCoR, a federal initiative designed to enhance research capabilities and foster innovation in states or territories that historically receive a smaller share of federal research funding. Its mission is to broaden the distribution of federal research dollars, while strengthening both local and national research infrastructure and capacity. The 东精影业 System oversees and provides administrative support for Hawaiʻi EPSCoR initiatives.

The University of Hawaiʻi is spearheading an advanced manufacturing initiative aimed at transforming the state鈥檚 economic vulnerabilities into opportunities for growth, resilience and workforce development.

“For an island state like Hawaiʻi, given our finite resources, limited manufacturing footprint and heavy dependency on imports, the onus is high for UH to work with our industry partners to help provide the cutting-edge research and a knowledge-based workforce in 鈥榩oint-of-need鈥� manufacturing for the benefit of both our civilian and military communities,” said 东精影业 Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos.

At 东精影业 Mānoa, the is leading the initiative, which combines design, material science, 3D printing, corrosion testing and robotics.

“A lot is going on in this space right now, and while it鈥檚 generating a lot of excitement around town, there鈥檚 also a lot of movement in different directions,” said Dean Brennon Morioka. “That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 important that we develop a coordinated and shared vision that is centered around an ecosystem that is consistent and transferable across all stakeholders.”

Morioka is relying on four key faculty members to move the initiative forward: Associate Professors Tyler Ray and Joseph Brown, and Professors Lloyd Hihara and Zachary Trimble.

Wearable sensors, aerospace assemblies, more

Ray has championed additive manufacturing since joining 东精影业 in 2019, weaving it into undergraduate courses and research. His lab develops 3D printed wearable sensors for health monitoring, new battery technologies and is home to one of the world鈥檚 highest-resolution bioprinters.

“For Hawaiʻi, advanced manufacturing is more than just an economic opportunity. It鈥檚 about building resilience amidst geographic isolation,” Ray said.

Brown integrates materials characterization, mechanical design and advanced fabrication to create resilient structures, from aerospace assemblies to nanometer-thin sensors.

“The initiative represents a major opportunity for 东精影业 and the state to not just match what others are doing, but to carve out our own unique approach,” Brown said.

Hihara鈥檚 corrosion research leverages Hawaiʻi鈥檚 diverse climates for testing and will expand with new fabrication technology. Trimble, an expert in precision machine design, helps transition basic research into applied research.

First advanced manufacturing training center

launched Hawaiʻi鈥檚 first advanced manufacturing training center to support Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, private ship repair facilities and active duty military.

“Our goal is to create an advanced manufacturing ecosystem with seamless skill sets and technology that can be used throughout Hawaiʻi and across different industry sectors,” said Honolulu CC Chancellor Karen Lee.

Read more on 东精影业鈥檚 advanced manufacturing vision and its role in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 future . Noelo is 东精影业鈥檚 research magazine from the .

What if, instead of trying to fix different gene mutations for different people, one could simply replace the entire mutated gene, safely, efficiently and precisely?

University of Hawaiʻi at M膩noa (JABSOM) Assistant Professor Jesse B. Owens is turning this radical idea into a therapeutic reality. Owens and his team are developing a new gene delivery platform that could revolutionize how doctors treat everything from rare blood disorders to aggressive cancers.

“I want to replace the entire gene, no matter where the mutation is—use one therapy for everyone,” said Owens. “For example, if the gene were a car and one person had a flat tire, and another person had a broken windshield; instead of going to two different shops to do two different repairs, each person just got a brand-new car right away, for no more than the cost of the repair. This could lead to faster, more affordable treatments for a wide range of diseases.”

What is gene therapy?

The thousands of genes that determine traits and characteristics of humans—including looks, personality and body functions—stem from the long, twisted, step-ladder of molecules known as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Each step or base, makes up the body鈥檚 genetic code, an instruction manual that dictates how cells build and function. Changes to, or mutations in one鈥檚 genes can cause genetic disorders such as hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and even certain types of cancer.

For decades, researchers have been developing and advancing gene therapies to fix, replace or switch faulty genes in order to treat and prevent diseases. Most approaches use engineered viruses or editing tools to deliver the corrective DNA into a patient鈥檚 cells.

One of the most widely used gene therapies today is known as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats or CRISPR, co-developed by Hilo native Jennifer Doudna, who earned the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020. CRISPR works like a pair of scissors, cutting DNA at specific locations, then harnessing the cell鈥檚 repair system in hopes that it figures out how to modify or insert the new gene. CRISPR, however, faces limitations—it struggles to insert large DNA segments to fix single-gene disorders, risks harmful mutations and cancer from double-stranded breaks, and works poorly in the non-dividing cells that make up most of the adult human body.

From cutting to inserting: A paradigm shift

Owens鈥� technology represents a dramatic departure from the CRISPR paradigm. Rather than cutting DNA and relying on the cell to make repairs, his method acts like biological glue—actively inserting large, healthy genes directly into the genome that then take over for the defective gene. The key is a family of viral enzymes called integrases, which facilitate the insertion of DNA into host genomes. Owens鈥� lab uses a controlled process called “laboratory evolution” to engineer “super-active” enzymes, dramatically boosting their precision and efficiency for inserting genes of interest.

“With these specially engineered integrases, we鈥檙e able to carefully insert healthy genes into an exact location without causing breaks in the DNA,” said Owens. “This insertion function has very high efficiencies of up to 96% in human cells, which is unprecedented.”

Read more about Owens and the future of gene therapy in . Noelo is 东精影业鈥檚 research magazine from the .