Discovery at the Speed of Life

If you have had your cholesterol tested, gotten a heart scan, been treated by paramedics, had your newborn tested for thyroid deficiency, or undergone surgery to repair an artery, you have benefitted from research conducted at LA BioMed.

Our discoveries have prevented blindness in newborns, enabled premature infants with fragile lungs to breathe, and allowed children with hereditary diseases to grow up healthy and strong.

We are one of the few non-profit medical research institutes to be located on the same campus and to partner with a prestigious community-based academic medical hospital – Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

This vital link connects the laboratory, clinic, and community – a purpose that resides at the heart of our mission.

It is often said, “someday they will find a way.” When it comes to discovery science that drives medical breakthroughs, “They” are here at LA BioMed –

2000-Present

Dr. Richard Casaburi develops exercise-based rehab strategies for COPD that largely eliminate the need for inhalers, steroids, and other drug-based therapies.

Dr. Yutaka Niihara is developing a low-cost noninvasive treatment that may help reduce the chronic and acute pain associated with sickle cell anemia.

Dr. Jack Edwards, Jr. and his infectious diseases team are working on new paradigms for vaccines.

Dr. Michael Yeaman is researching the use of antimicrobial peptides to recognize,attack, and kill pathogens and help stimulate the immune system.

1990s

Dr. Sherwin Isenberg develops low-cost antiseptic eyedrops to prevent blindness in children in the developing world.

Dr. Iraj Khalkhali achieves advances in noninvasive breast cancer detection. Dr. Emil Kakkis develops Enzyme Replacement Therapy to treat Hurler- Scheie Syndrome.

Dr. Rod White helps develop technique that uses noninvasive stent graft surgery to repair aortic aneurysms.

1980s

Dr. John Buster performs first ovum transfer, forerunner of in vitro fertilization.

Dr. Alan Jobe develops synthetic lung surfactants that allow premature infants with underdeveloped lungs to breathe.

1970s

Dr. Albert Parlow participates in the first purification of human growth hormone.

Dr. Paul Fu, Sr. invents blood test for serum cholesterol level.

Dr. Michael Kaback creates blood-based test to identify carriers of Tay-Sachs disease.

Dr. Delbert Fisher develops Thyroid Deficiency Test for newborns.

1960s

In the 1960s, LA BioMed’s scientists achieved successful fertilization through artificial implantation of the ovum, a breakthrough that would lead to the world’s first ovum transfer birth some 20 years later.

In 1969, Dr. John Criley created the paramedic model for emergency care that is now a lifesaving standard worldwide.