Research Activities
Our research focuses on translational medical applications. We are cell/molecular biologists and bioengineers who are developing new technologies ranging from new thermal treatment paradigms to treat cancer to novel stem cell bioprocessing methodologies and preservation technologies. Our overall basic research theme of " Cell Stress" is the foundation for the development of new laboratory equipment, cancer treatment devices, engineered tissues and new stem cell biobanking technologies. See the Cell Stress diagram at the end of this column to understand how these activities are interconnected. Our research has always been associated with industry and medical schools such as Johns Hopkins Medical School and Schepens Eye Research Institute. See RT America's 2018 news release on our work (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_YzY8-VKCc) or an article in the Fall 2018 BU Magazine https://www.binghamton.edu/news/story/1284/killing-cancer-cells/.
Active Federal and State Grants in the Last 15 years:
1R43GM153014-01A1 NIH/NIGMS Awarded: 5/1/24
A Novel Multicomponent DMSO Free Cryococktail and Recovery Reagent for the Improved Cryopreservation of NK Cells. Goals: To develop a DMSO free cryopreservation solution designed to improve the biobanking, stoage and distribution of cells used in immunotherapy.
1R43DK135117-01 NIH/NIDDK Awarded: 9/22/22
FrostBite-DMR - A New Drug-Free Approach for Treating Type 2 Diabetes. Goals: To develop a thermal medical device and process that can safely and efficiently achieve Duodenal Mucosal Resurfacing as a drug-free option for treating Type 2 Diabetes.
1R43HL149145-01 NIH/NHLBI Awarded: 9/23/19
A New Multimodal Ablation Catheter for Treating Cardiac Arrhythmias. Goals: To develop a catheter that can heat, freeze of heat-freeze targeted sites in the heart to control atrial fibrillation.
3R44HL130805-03S1 NIH/NHLBI Awarded: 7/03/19
Administrative Supplement to Promote Diversity in Research and Development Small Businesses-SBIR/STTR. Goals: Develop a training program in biotechnology focusing on SBIR grant writing and business plan development.
1R43HL142319-01 NIH/NHLBI Awarded: 9/21/18
Development of an Advanced Cryothermal Ablation Catheter and Method for Treating Cardiac Arrhythmias. Goals: To develop a novel cryoablation device for the targeted treatment of ventricular tachycardia and other heart arrhythmias.
1R43GM129851-01 NIH/NIGMS Awarded: 8/3/18
A Novel Device and Rescue Solution for the Improved Post-thaw Viability and Function of Stem Cells used in Cell Therapy Goals: To develop both novel clinical grade laboratory devices and post-thaw rescue solutions for improved human stem cell viability and function subsequent to biobanking.
1R43CA224431-01A1 NIH/NCI Awarded: 7/17/18
A Unique Deployable Thermosensor Probe for the Minimally Invasive Treatment of Renal Tumors. Goals: To develop a unique multifunctional device for the improved thermal ablation if non-metastatic renal tumors.
2R44HL130805-02 NIH/NHLBI Awarded: 7/15/18
The SmartBio System for the Improved Preservation of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells (Phase II). Goals: To develop clinical-grade devices for the improved biobanking and thawing of hematopoietic stem cells.
2R44CA183265-01A1 NIH/NCI Awarded: 8/15/17
FrostBite - A Unique Catheter for Endoscopic Cryoablation. Goals: To develop a new thermal ablation device and associated peripherals for the targeted ablation of pancreatic, liver and other tumors.
1R43CA210761-01A1 NIH/NCI Awarded: 8/11/17
FrostBite-BC - A New Thermal Ablation Device for Treating Bladder Cancer. Goals: To develop a unique thermal ablation probe for the treatment of bladder cancer.
1R43HL130805-01A1 NIH/NHLBI Awarded: 9/13/16
The SmartBio System for the Improved Preservation of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells (Phase 1) Goals: To develop and optimize a new documentable, dry thaw device for the improved thawing of human stem cells to be used in clinical applications.
1R43CA206581-01A1 NIH/NCI Awarded: 9/1/16
ERASE - A new dual thermal ablation/SCN device system for treating pancreatic cancer. Goals: To develop a unique, multifunctional catheter system coupled to a unique cryoablation medical device for the targeted ablation of pancreatic tumors.
C030324 NYS/DOH Awarded: 11/1/15
Prostate Cancer Research. Goals: Source of funds for competitive internal mini-grants (Binghamton University faculty and students only) focused on innovative projects that lead to novel treatments of prostate cancer.
W81XWH-15-C-0102 DoD(USAMRAA) Awarded: 9/28/15
Optimal Rewarming Solutions for Cryopreserved Tissue Systems. Goals: To determine if the manipulation of cell stress signaling pathways can be leveraged for more successful long term cold storage of human tissues and organs.
1R43CA195948-01A1 NIH/NCI Awarded: 9/1/15
Development of a Minimally Invasive Surgical Device for the Treatment of Esophageal Cancer. Goals: To develop a a new medical device for the cryoablation of cancer of the esophagus.
1R43CA183265-01 NIH/NCI Awarded: 5/6/14
FrostBite - A Unique Catheter for Endoscopic Cryoablation. Goals: To develop a unique type of cryo catheter for specific endoscopic applications.
1R43EB014599-01 NIH/NIBIB Awarded: 9/1/12
FACSGuard - An additive for Improving Flow Cytometry Yield. Goals: To develop a protective cocktail to improve flow cytometry cell yield of fragile cell types such as cancer stem cells and other stem cell types that are in low abundance.
1R43DE022486-01A1 NIH/NIDCR Awarded: 9/1/12
A New Normothermic Solution for Protecting Avulsed Teeth Prior to Re-implantation Goals: To develop a new methodology relying on the modulation of cell stress pathways such that the success of re-implanting knocked out teeth is improved.
1R43DK091952-01A1 NIH/NIDDK Awarded: 9/20/11
CellGuard-TD improves human tissue digestion and subculturing Goals: To develop improved methods of subculturing primary human cells from their constitutent organs so that higher yield and function will result when these cells are used for cell therapy applications.
1R43RR032140-01 NIH/NCRR Awarded: 7/1/11
Enhanced Bioprocessing Strategies for Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells.Goals: To investigate the cell stress pathways activated in human mesenchymal stem cells during bioprocessing.
1R43RR031963-01 NIH/NCRR Awarded: 6/1/11
Automated Device for High Throughput Cryopreservation Goals: Develop an automated liquid nitrogen-driven machine that can be used by pharmaceutical companies for the rapid biprocessing of multiple cell samples.
NYSTEM N09C-009 NYS Awarded: 7/1/10
The Business and Biology of Stem Cells in Cell Therapy Goals: To develop a unique set of stem cell courses that includes the discussion of the science, ethics, politics, commercial aspects and religion behind stem cell therapy. A laboratory exposure in stem cell differentiation at our biotechnology company is a component of the course series.
1R43DK083800-01 NIH/NIDDK Awarded: 5/1/09
CellGuard – A Novel Approach for Protecting Cells during Bioprocessing Goals: To develop a liver-specific set of solutions that will protect harvested hepatocytes during the isolation process from whole liver.
1R43GM084538-01 NIH/NIGMS Awarded: 5/15/08
Development of an In Situ Anhydrobiotic Tissue Culture Process. Goals: To develop a unique approach to improved biobanking of human and animals cells.
2R44EY015575-02A1 NIH/NEI Awarded: 3/1/08
Hypothermic Storage and Cryopreservation of Corneas. Goals: To develop unique solutions and processes for the improved transplant of human corneas to vision-compromised patients.
Cancer Research:
We are developing both novel medical devices as well as adjunctive technology for the improved thermal ablation of a variety of cancers including prostate, esophageal and pancreatic cancer - all funded by NIH. A new project funded by NIH in 2022 uses thermal ablation as a means to resurface the small intestine as a means to treat diabetes. This type of research demands the ability to develop new medical instrumentation as well as executing a wide variety of cell and molecular methods that include gel electrophoresis, PCR, microarrays, western blots, tissue engineering, flow cytometry and a variety of human cell culture techniques.
Cell and Tissue Bioprocessing:
Another arm of our research is developing improved technologies and devices for the bioprocessing of human cells and tissues as well as the long term storage of human tissues and organs. Our approach is to identify cell-specific stress pathways in target cells such as stem cells, corneal endothelial cells and hepatocytes so that the isolation and processing of these cells, tissues and organs at ambient and normothermic temperatures can be improved. We have also developed engineered human tissues (tissue engineered constructs) that can be used for testing the efficacy of new medical devices such as those listed below.
Medical Device Development
Our company, CPSI Biotech, is actively engaged in developing new thermal ablation medical devices designed to target a variety of tumors ranging from prostate to pancreatic cancer. Two new devices, the PSN and SCN systems along with their patented thermal probes, are being tested at a variety of medical school venues. They rely on unique and patented methodologies that allow CPSI to generate extremely cold temperatures at the end of unique catheters that result in the cryoablation of tumors. Our molecular biology team is investigating which cell stress signaling pathways can be triggered to make the thermal ablation more effective. In addition we are identifying compounds that can improve the cryoablation process - a type of compound referred to as cryosensitizer or cryoadjuvant.
Laboratory Device Development
We are also developing laboratory devices that rely on advanced thermal technologies. One such example is SmartThaw shown to the right designed for the documentable dry thawing of cells for both basic research and clinical cell therapy.
Representative Peer-Reviewed Publications
Baust JM, Corwin W, Van Buskirk RG, Baust JG. (2015) Biobanking: The future of cell preservation strategies. Biobanking in the 21st Century; Adv Exp. Med. Biol. 864: 37-53
Baust J.M, Corwin W.L., Snyder K.K., Baust J.G., Van Buskirk R.G. (2016) Development and assessment of a novel device for the controlled, dry thawing of cryopreserved cell products. BioProcess J. 15(1): 30-41.
Santucci, K.L., Baust, J.M., Snyder, K.K., Van Buskirk, R.G. and Baust,(2016) J.G. Investigation of the impact of cell cycle stage on freeze response sensitivity of androgen-insensitive prostate cancer. Technol. Cancer Res. Treat. 15(4): 609-17.
Baust, JM, Corwin, WC, Snyder, KK, Van Buskirk, R, Baust, JG. (2016) Cryopreservation: Evolution of molecular based strategies. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 951:13-29
Santucci, K., Baust, J.M., Snyder, K.K., Robilotto, A., VanBuskirk, R.G., Baust, J.G. (2016). Chapter 35. The story of adjuvants to boost the performance of cryoablation. In T.J. Polascik,
(Ed.), Imaging and Focal Therapy of Early Prostate Cancer, 2ndEdition. New York, NY: Humana.
Baumann, K.W., Baust, J.M., Snyder, K.K., Baust, J.G. and Van Buskirk, R.G. (2017) Characterization of pancreatic cancer cell thermal response to heat ablation or cryoablation. Technol. Cancer Res. Treat. 16(4): 393-405.
Baust, JG, Snyder, KK, Van Buskirk, R, Baust, JM (2017) Integrating molecular control to improve cryopreservation outcome. Biopreservation and Biobanking, 15(2): 134-141.
Baust JM, Robilotto A, Snyder KK, Santucci K, Steward J, Van Buskirk R, Baust JG. (2017) Assessment of cryosurgical device performance using a 3D tissue-engineered cancer model. Technol Cancer Res Treat. 16(6): 900-909.
Baumann, KW, Baust, JM, Snyder, KK, Baust, JG and Van Buskirk, RG. (2017) Dual thermal ablation of pancreatic cancer cells as an improved combinatorial treatment strategy. Liver and Pancreatic Sciences. 2(2): 1-10.
Baust, JM, Rabin, Polascik, T, Santucci, KL, Snyder, KK, Van Buskirk, RG and Baust, JG. (2018). Review Paper: Defeating cancers' adaptive defensive strategies using thermal ablative therapies. Technol. Cancer Res. Treat., i17: 1-16.
Baust JM, Robilotto AT, Snyder KK, Van Buskirk RG, Baust JG. (2018) Evaluation of a new epicardial cryoablation system for the treatment of cardiac tachyarrhythmias. Trends in Medicine. 18: p1-9.
Santucci, KL, Baust, JM, Snyder, KK, Van Buskirk, RG and Baust, JG. (2018) Dose escalation of Vitamin D3 yields similar cryosurgical outcome to single dose exposure in a prostate cancer model. Cancer Control. 25(1): 1-10
Robilotto, AT, Baust, JM, Van Buskirk, RG and Baust, JG. (2018). Models and mechanisms of tissue injury in cryosurgery. In Theory and Applications of Heat Transfer in Humans. Edited by Devashish Shrivastava. John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
Baust JM, Robilotto AT, Guerra, P, Snyder KK, Van Buskirk RG, Dubuc, M, Baust JG. (2018) Assessment of a novel cryoablation device for the endovascular treatment of cardiac tachyarrhythmias. Sage Open Medicine. 6: 1-13.
Robilotto, A.T., Baust, JM, Santucci, KL, Snyder, KK, Van Buskirk, RG and Baust, JG. (2020) Assessment of a novel supercritical nitrogen cryosurgical device using prostate and renal cancer tissue engineered models. Sage Open Medicine. Med. Devices Diagn Eng., 5:1-8. E-pub
Baust, JG, Snyder, KK, Santucci KL, Robilotto AT, Van Buskirk RG, Baust JM. (2019) Cryoablation: Physical and molecular basis with putative immunological consequences. Inter. J. Hyperthermia. 36: S1, 10-16.
Santucci, KL, Baust JM, Snyder KK, Van Buskirk RG, Katz AA, Corcoran A. and Baust JG. (2020) Investigation of bladder cancer cell response to cryoablation and adjunctive cisplatin based cryo/chemotherapy. International Journal of Hyperthermia., 36: sup 1, 10-16.
Baust JM, Polascik TJ, Van Buskirk R, Baust JG. (2020) Cryoablation of prostate - Improving efficacy and safety. Medical Research Archives. 8: 5; 1-14.
Baust, JM, Robilotto, A., Santucci, KL, Snyder, KK, Van Buskirk, RG, Katz, A, Corcoran, A. and Baust, JG. (2020) Evaluation of a novel cystoscopic compatible cryocatheter for the treatment of bladder cancer. Bladder Cancer, 6: 303-318.
Snyder, KK, Van Buskirk, RG, Baust, JG and Baust, JM. (2020) Breast cancer cryoablation: Assessment of the impact of fundamental procedural variables in an in vitro human breast cancer model. Breast Cancer: Basic and Clinical Research. 14: 1-9.
Santucci, KL, Snyder, KK, Baust, JG, Van Buskirk, RG, and Baust, JM. (2020) Investigation of liver cancer cell response to cryoablation and adjunctive based cryo/chemotherapy. British Journal of Cancer Research. 3 (3): 407-414.
Baust JM, Snyder KK, Van Buskirk RG, Baust JG. (2022) Assessment of the impact of post-thaw stress pathway modulation on cell recovery following cryopreservation in a hematopoietic progenitor cell model. Cells 11(2) 278. 1-17. Cells- Special Issue Biobanking of Engineered and Natural Tissues.
Baust JM, Santucci KL, Van Buskirk RG, Raijman I, Fisher WE, Baust JG, Snyder KK. (2022) An in vitro investigation into cryoablation and adjunctive cryoablation/chemotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer using the PANC-1 cell line. Biomedicines. 10, 450 1-23.
Santucci KL, Snyder KK, Robilotto A, Baust JG, Van Buskirk RG, Polascik T, Baust JM. (2022) In Vitro investigation of renal cell carcinoma response to combination sorafenib and cryoablation treatment. Clinical Oncology and Research. 5(1): 1-13.
Evaluation of a New Endoscopic Cryoablation Catheter for the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer: John M. Baust1,2*, Anthony Robilotto1, Kimberly L. Santucci1, Robert G. Van Buskirk1,3,4, Isaac Raijman5,6, John G. Baust3,4, and Kristi K. Snyder1, 2 Early Diagnosis and Targeted Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer. Biomedicines 2024, 12, 507. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12030507. 1-17
Baust, JM., Corcoran, A., Robilotto, AT., Katz, AA., Santucci KL., Van Buskirk RG., Baust JG and Snyder. KK. Evaluation of a New Cystoscopic Cryocatheter and Method for the In Situ Destruction of Bladder Cancer: Preliminary In vivo Study. Journal of Endourology. 2024, DOI://10.1089/end.2023.0635.
