UC Irvine Giving Day

40 Years of Translating Scientific Breakthroughs into Lifesaving Technologies
 
WHERE INNOVATION MEETS IMPACT

For four decades, UC Irvine Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic has been at the forefront of medical innovation, bringing together brilliant minds from the Schools of Medicine, Engineering, Physical Sciences and Biological Sciences to revolutionize healthcare through cutting-edge optics and biophotonics technologies.

In Orange County’s thriving medical device industry, the institute is leading the charge.

The Power of Seed Funding: From Benchtop to Bedside

Seed funding bridges the critical gap between groundbreaking research and real-world application. Your gift to the Seed Fund for Innovation provides the essential resources that transform promising ideas into technologies that save lives, prevent disease and change the future of medicine.

INSTITUTE INNOVATIONS CHANGE LIVES

J. Stuart Nelson, MD, PhD: Dynamic Cooling Device 

One of the most successful medical devices developed in the UC system, the dynamic cooling device, was invented by Beckman Laser Institute Medical Director Dr. J. Stuart Nelson to treat infants and young children with disfiguring vascular birthmarks. The dynamic cooling device has generated the second-highest UC Irvine patent royalty income to date and has been incorporated into more than 25,000 laser systems worldwide.

David Cuccia, PhD ’06 & Amaan Mazhar PhD ’10: Modulim’s Clarifi^® 

What began as a physics undergraduate project at the institute evolved into technology that reduces amputation rates by up to 85 percent. Using advanced light imaging, Modulim enables physicians to detect circulation problems in diabetic patients before wounds develop — revealing issues beneath the surface that the naked eye cannot see. This institute-born innovation is preventing limb loss and transforming care for millions of Americans with diabetes.

Sean White, PhD ’13; Bruce Yang, PhD ’13; & Tyler Rice, PhD ’13: LAS’ FlowMet-R

Three institute postdoctoral students developed a postage-stamp-sized camera system that measures blood flow in real-time during surgery—something never achieved before. Their company, Laser Associated Sciences (LAS), achieved 510(k) FDA clearance for their FlowMet-R device. FlowMet-R diagnoses peripheral artery disease earlier and has the potential to prevent thousands of lower limb amputations. LAS was subsequently acquired by Medtronic, one of the world's leading medical device companies.

INVEST IN TOMORROW'S BREAKTHROUGHS 

Many of the world's leaders in optics and biophotonics trained at the institute. Your support ensures that we can continue to recruit top talent and provide them with the resources they need to change the world.

Early-stage research requires:

• Seed capital for medical device development
• Resources to conduct clinical studies
• Education and training for talented students 
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities 

Your gift this Giving Day to the Beckman Laser Institute in support of the Institute’s Seed Fund for Innovation provides this crucial bridge. Every dollar you invest accelerates discovery, improves healthcare and strengthens UC Irvine's impact on the local healthcare economy and across the globe.