Research - Basic and Applied

Basic Research on Muscles, Nerves and Electrolytes

We have been engaged in basic research on the role and interactions of electrolytes in muscles and nerves for more than 40 years. The work has included work on smooth muscle as well as skeletal muscle. The species studied ranged from sponges and plants to mammals including humans. We have also engaged in research on innervation of muscle and the experiencing of pain emanating from skeletal muscle. Research tools have included radioisotope labeling, biochemical analysis, electrophysiology and computer-based signal processing. Outputs have included biophysical models as well as a number of discoveries and published findings. See more details at Publications by Dr. Job.

Studies on the Innovation Process

IPRS was funded by the U.S. Dept. of Energy's Innovative Concepts Program to conduct research on a pilot program for invention evaluation and development leading toward licensing.  The grant enables us to provide gap-filling services to inventors with promising ideas.

A second grant enabled us to develop a document on how to establish a support organization for inventors learning from the initial experience. Excerpts from those reports may be available. See Publications listing  for details or email us at  myhealth@iprsinc.org

IPRS staff have worked with inventors from across the country on a wide variety of inventions and technologies running the gamut of low technology to high technology, consumer to industrial. This body of knowledge has been shared with various inventor groups, Innovation workshops sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and with universities and schools. Some of the papers prepared for these presentations are available.  See Publications listing.

IPRS developed a number of white papers on the potential impact of "harmonization" of the U.S. Patent Laws with international practices. These briefs were presented as testimony before hearings held in Washington DC.  See Publications listing.  Unfortunately for the independent inventor these "harmonizations" were past into law a number of years ago.

Role of Innovation in Society

Position papers and testimony have been prepared regarding the role of the independent inventor in society and the importance of fostering a "culture of innovation" including providing patent laws and policies that are favorable to the independent inventor and small business owner.  It is believed by many that a number of changes in the U.S. patent law in recent years are adverse to the independent inventor including excessive fee structures and automatic publication (under the First-to-File provision).  The escalation in fees if compared to inflation in the price of a hamburger over the past 30 years would indicate that hamburgers should now cost over $25 each. 

Health Care Initiatives

One of the areas in which technology is contributing in a phenomenal way in recent years is in health care.  This ranges from using computers to accelerate the drug discovery process to the emerging field of genomics, proteomics, combinatorial chemistry, high throughput screening  (HTS) systems biology and bioinformatics among others.  IPRS is in the early stages of applying and adapting some of the emerging technologies to new areas of research and is actively seeking sponsorship of innovative programs.  See in particular our Magnesium Project and related development of software tools to aid in training, early diagnosis and treatment of neuro-muscular diseases. We are  excited about a new initiative in the area of researching the means by which the body regulates magnesium ions and its role in various diseases.   To learn more about our magnesium regulation investigation Click here: Mg Project.

The Chief Scientist for IPRS is also engaged in research on pain characterization and alleviation.  Two approaches are under investigation - one using non-chemical, biophysical means and the other using a wholistic approach to body mineral metabolism.  If you would like to support the Pain Research Project email us at  myhealth@iprsinc.org.

One of our findings in surveying pregnant mothers regarding their resources for learning about the importance of vitamins and minerals during pregnancy was that there is a lot of misinformation among even health care providers.  We would like to correct this gap by developing educational materials for mothers as well as their health care providers.  This will lead to better care and better outcomes especially as it relates to the risk for  magnesium deficiencies.  See our web pages on Maternal Health for more information.

Translation or Transfer of Technology to Common Use

One of the challenging areas of developing new technologies, products, methods or procedures is in getting these new approaches adopted.  There are often regulatory hurdles, standards and protocols and "best practices" that may need to be changed.  There are often standards-setting boards, review boards, third party payer reviews as well as government and non-government policy makers who have to be convinced of practical and economic incentives.  In the field of medicine there are also the medical professionals as well as the patients that need to be educated as to the benefits and risks.  All of this can be daunting even in well-developed countries and markets.  If the translation is to reach third world persons, there are the additional hurdles of cross-cultural education, different sets of standards and cultural/political practices not to mention language differences.  We have highlighted some of these issues for the particular instance of gaining adoption of a new ways of addressing the role of Magnesium in treatment of a variety of diseases.  A white paper is available that examines these issues as it applies to pre-eclampsia/eclampsia.

Another example of the challenge of adopting new technologies and concepts is in the field of environmental products and practices. We highlight a prolific inventor who has developed a number of inventions providing solutions to various environmental problems ranging from automobile emissions to volatile organic carbons (VOC) from paint.  Despite being able to persuade the US Patent Office of their novelty (in the 1970's), the barriers to being adopted and used have to date been insurmountable.  For details of this underused technology see our Case Study of one inventor's saga of translating innovation into beneficial products.

If you would like to help us overcome barriers to implement new products, inventions and technologies, visit our Donor Opportunities  or Volunteer opportunities pages.  Thank you for your support and interest.

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Revised: February 16, 2024