Skip to main content

Buscar

Richard Willson

Richard Willson Our Faculty

Richard Willson

Distinguished Visiting Professor in Biotechnology Engineering

School of Medicine and Health Sciences


Expertise

Medical diagnostics
Molecular biology
Bioseparations
Immunochromatographic diagnostics
Process analytical technology (PAT)

radio_button_unchecked radio_button_checked

Overview

Dr. Willson is a renowned researcher in biomolecular recognition and its applications. He has an extensive career at the University of Houston, where he currently serves as Huffington-Woestemeyer Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Biochemistry. Since 2008, he has been an Affiliate in the Quantitative and Computational Biology Program at Baylor College of Medicine and since 2007, he has been a prominent Senior Affiliate Member in the Cancer program at the Houston Methodist Research Institute.
He was Theme Leader in Diagnostics at the NIH Western Regional Center of Excellence in Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases. 

At the University of Houston, he teaches chemical engineers biological and physical chemistry and statistical/numerical techniques.

He and his research group work in biomolecular recognition with monoclonal antibodies, DNA, and aptamers. They explore the techniques of expression, mutagenesis, fluorescence anisotropy (kinetics), and titration calorimetry.

In the area of bioseparations, his recent work focuses on antibody purification. He leads one of the few engineering groups developing new methods of nucleic acid separations with applications both at the laboratory and at a production scale, like the metal-chelate affinity, also known as Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography (IMAC). The IMAC allows a more precise selection between plasmid (for example, a DNA vaccine) and a contaminating genomic DNA despite their chemical similarity. He also has been active in RNA purification.

In the area of molecular diagnostics and sensors, his research group alongside external stakeholders, uses computer technology to identify genome sequences, which they apply to: create custom DNA arrays to identify pathogens; develop RT-PCR primers to identify viruses (viral sequences) among human DNA; engineer hybridization-responsive fluorescent probes for those sequences.

Also, they have improved immuno-chromatographic assays, which is a diagnostic format known as the basis of the home pregnancy and home COVID-19 tests. These tests can be up to 1,000 times as sensitive as standard assays, leading to more effective detection of viral infections in the blood. They also introduced strontium aluminate phosphorescent nanoparticles derived from glow-in-the-dark materials as detectors for tests. This technology was commercialized by Luminostics, Inc., which was accepted into Y Combinator, the incubator of enterprises like Airbnb, and has FDA authorization for a home COVID-19 diagnostic test. Another of his and his team’s major contributions is the development of a home test to detect nephritis in patients with Lupus, the autoimmune disease, early enough for medical intervention.

Richard Willson is part of the editorial board of several relevant publications in his field such as PLOS One, the Journal of Biophysics, F1000, Biotechnology Progress, and the Journal of Molecular Recognition.

In the course of his career, he has been recognized with several awards and honors, like the Alan S. Michaels Award on the Recovery of Biological Products (2021); the Esther Farfel Award (2020), which is the highest faculty award of the University of Houston given for research, service, and teaching; and the Pierce Award in Affinity Technology by the International Society for Molecular Recognition (2015).

Back in 2012 and due to his expertise in nucleic acid purification, he was selected to serve on the founding Technical Advisory Board of Moderna, Inc., which later developed the mRNA-based vaccine for COVID-19.

In addition, his professional distinctions include being a Fellow of the most relevant societies and associations in his field in the United States such as the American Chemical Society, the U.S. National Academy of Inventors, the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Since 2018, he is a co-Principal Investigator for the FDA Western National Pediatric Device Consortium.

Richard Willson joined Tecnológico de Monterrey as Distinguished Visiting Professor in Biotechnology Engineering for the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

radio_button_unchecked radio_button_checked

Education and Training

  • Postdoctoral fellow, Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • M.Sc., Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
     
radio_button_unchecked radio_button_checked

Publications

  • Goux, Heather & Vu, Binh & Wasden, Katherine & Alpadi, Kannan & Kumar, Ajay & Kalra, Bhanu & Savjani, Gopal & Brosamer, Kristen & Kourentzi, Katerina & Willson, Richard. (2023). Development of a quantitative fluorescence lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) prototype for point-of-need detection of anti-Müllerian hormone. Practical Laboratory Medicine. 35. e00314. 10.1016/j.plabm.2023.e00314. 

  • Lei, Rongwei & Vu, Binh & Kourentzi, Katerina & Soomro, Sanam & Danthanarayana, Adheesha & Brgoch, Jakoah & Nadimpalli, Suma & Petri, Michelle & Mohan, Chandra & Willson, Richard. (2022). A novel technology for home monitoring of lupus nephritis that tracks the pathogenic urine biomarker ALCAM. Frontiers in Immunology. 13. 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1044743.

  • Nandy, Suman & Crum, Mary & Wasden, Katherine & Strych, Ulrich & Goyal, Atul & Maranholkar, Vijay & Mo, William & Vu, Binh & Kourentzi, Katerina & Willson, Richard. (2022). Protein A–Nanoluciferase fusion protein for generalized, sensitive detection of immunoglobulin G. Analytical Biochemistry. 660. 114929. 10.1016/j.ab.2022.114929. 

  • Ortiz-Martinez, Margarita & González-González, Mirna & Martagon, Alexandro & Hlavinka, Victoria & Willson, Richard & Rito-Palomares, Marco. (2022). Recent Developments in Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Screening of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Current Diabetes Reports. 22. 10.1007/s11892-022-01453-4. 

  • Chavan D, Chen H, Crum M, Vu B, Safari M, Smith M, Vekilov P, Conrad JC, Kourentzi K, Willson RC., "Neutral DNA-avidin nanoparticles as ultrasensitive reporters in immuno-PCR." Analyst. doi: 10.1039/d0an00134a., 2020

More information

Richard Willson

Richard Willson

Richard Willson

Profesor Visitante Distinguido

en Ingeniería Biotecnológica

Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud


Expertise

Diagnósticos médicos
Biología molecular
Bioseparaciones
Diagnóstico inmunocromatográfico
Tecnología analítica de procesos (PAT)

radio_button_unchecked radio_button_checked

Overview

Dr. Willson is a renowned researcher in biomolecular recognition and its applications. He has an extensive career at the University of Houston, where he currently serves as Huffington-Woestemeyer Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Biochemistry. Since 2008, he has been an Affiliate in the Quantitative and Computational Biology Program at Baylor College of Medicine and since 2007, he has been a prominent Senior Affiliate Member in the Cancer program at the Houston Methodist Research Institute.
He was Theme Leader in Diagnostics at the NIH Western Regional Center of Excellence in Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases. 

At the University of Houston, he teaches chemical engineers biological and physical chemistry and statistical/numerical techniques.

He and his research group work in biomolecular recognition with monoclonal antibodies, DNA, and aptamers. They explore the techniques of expression, mutagenesis, fluorescence anisotropy (kinetics), and titration calorimetry.

In the area of bioseparations, his recent work focuses on antibody purification. He leads one of the few engineering groups developing new methods of nucleic acid separations with applications both at the laboratory and at a production scale, like the metal-chelate affinity, also known as Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography (IMAC). The IMAC allows a more precise selection between plasmid (for example, a DNA vaccine) and a contaminating genomic DNA despite their chemical similarity. He also has been active in RNA purification.

In the area of molecular diagnostics and sensors, his research group alongside external stakeholders, uses computer technology to identify genome sequences, which they apply to: create custom DNA arrays to identify pathogens; develop RT-PCR primers to identify viruses (viral sequences) among human DNA; engineer hybridization-responsive fluorescent probes for those sequences.

Also, they have improved immuno-chromatographic assays, which is a diagnostic format known as the basis of the home pregnancy and home COVID-19 tests. These tests can be up to 1,000 times as sensitive as standard assays, leading to more effective detection of viral infections in the blood. They also introduced strontium aluminate phosphorescent nanoparticles derived from glow-in-the-dark materials as detectors for tests. This technology was commercialized by Luminostics, Inc., which was accepted into Y Combinator, the incubator of enterprises like Airbnb, and has FDA authorization for a home COVID-19 diagnostic test. Another of his and his team’s major contributions is the development of a home test to detect nephritis in patients with Lupus, the autoimmune disease, early enough for medical intervention.

Richard Willson is part of the editorial board of several relevant publications in his field such as PLOS One, the Journal of Biophysics, F1000, Biotechnology Progress, and the Journal of Molecular Recognition.

In the course of his career, he has been recognized with several awards and honors, like the Alan S. Michaels Award on the Recovery of Biological Products (2021); the Esther Farfel Award (2020), which is the highest faculty award of the University of Houston given for research, service, and teaching; and the Pierce Award in Affinity Technology by the International Society for Molecular Recognition (2015).

Back in 2012 and due to his expertise in nucleic acid purification, he was selected to serve on the founding Technical Advisory Board of Moderna, Inc., which later developed the mRNA-based vaccine for COVID-19.

In addition, his professional distinctions include being a Fellow of the most relevant societies and associations in his field in the United States such as the American Chemical Society, the U.S. National Academy of Inventors, the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Since 2018, he is a co-Principal Investigator for the FDA Western National Pediatric Device Consortium.

Richard Willson joined Tecnológico de Monterrey as Distinguished Visiting Professor in Biotechnology Engineering for the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

radio_button_unchecked radio_button_checked

Education and Training

  • Postdoctoral fellow, Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • M.Sc., Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
     
radio_button_unchecked radio_button_checked

Publications

  • Goux, Heather & Vu, Binh & Wasden, Katherine & Alpadi, Kannan & Kumar, Ajay & Kalra, Bhanu & Savjani, Gopal & Brosamer, Kristen & Kourentzi, Katerina & Willson, Richard. (2023). Development of a quantitative fluorescence lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) prototype for point-of-need detection of anti-Müllerian hormone. Practical Laboratory Medicine. 35. e00314. 10.1016/j.plabm.2023.e00314. 

  • Lei, Rongwei & Vu, Binh & Kourentzi, Katerina & Soomro, Sanam & Danthanarayana, Adheesha & Brgoch, Jakoah & Nadimpalli, Suma & Petri, Michelle & Mohan, Chandra & Willson, Richard. (2022). A novel technology for home monitoring of lupus nephritis that tracks the pathogenic urine biomarker ALCAM. Frontiers in Immunology. 13. 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1044743.

  • Nandy, Suman & Crum, Mary & Wasden, Katherine & Strych, Ulrich & Goyal, Atul & Maranholkar, Vijay & Mo, William & Vu, Binh & Kourentzi, Katerina & Willson, Richard. (2022). Protein A–Nanoluciferase fusion protein for generalized, sensitive detection of immunoglobulin G. Analytical Biochemistry. 660. 114929. 10.1016/j.ab.2022.114929. 

  • Ortiz-Martinez, Margarita & González-González, Mirna & Martagon, Alexandro & Hlavinka, Victoria & Willson, Richard & Rito-Palomares, Marco. (2022). Recent Developments in Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Screening of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Current Diabetes Reports. 22. 10.1007/s11892-022-01453-4. 

  • Chavan D, Chen H, Crum M, Vu B, Safari M, Smith M, Vekilov P, Conrad JC, Kourentzi K, Willson RC., "Neutral DNA-avidin nanoparticles as ultrasensitive reporters in immuno-PCR." Analyst. doi: 10.1039/d0an00134a., 2020

More information

Becas y Créditos Educativos para alumnos internacionales

Regístrate aquí

Al ingresar tus datos, recibirás información y atención personalizada. ¡Te esperamos!

Alumnas con balón de básquetbol
Soy
phone

Si ya nos dejaste tus datos previamente, por favor regístrate con el mismo correo con que lo hiciste.

CAMPUS DE INTERÉS
AREA Y PROGRAMA DE INTERÉS
Help
He leído y acepto los términos y condiciones del
AVISO DE PRIVACIDAD del Tecnológico de Monterrey.

Créditos Educativos Externos

Para estudiantes provenientes de Estados Unidos

EXATEC Blue Open Golf Tour CDMX 2024

Evento
Club de Golf Los Encinos
Carretera Libre México - Toluca Km. 44.5 Club de Golf Los Encinos S.A, 52005 Fraccionamiento y Club de Golf los Encinos, Méx.
Inicia
Termina
Dirigido a
EXATEC y público en general
Organiza
Relación con Egresados Región Ciudad de México

¡Es momento de presumir tu swing!

¿Qué esperas para inscribirte?

Inscríbete AQUÍ

María Dolores Rodríguez Lara
phone

segurosdraf

cAR
viajes

 

Senior Data Scientist

Objetivo del programa

Este diplomado te ayudará a transformar la cultura organizacional enfocándose en el bienestar de sus colaboradores generando mejores resultados para la organización

 

Con este programa lograrás:

  • Utilizas herramientas tecnológicas y matemáticas para desarrollar modelos inteligentes de problemas complejos y su despliegue en plataforma web. 
  • Realizar innovaciones de alto impacto de Ciencia de Datos. 
  • Estar capacitado para soportar estrategias basadas en datos.

 

Dirigido a:

Es ideal para profesionistas con un año de experiencia trabajando en una organización con lenguaje de programación de alto nivel, analizando datos en Tableau o equivalente, ha realizado algunos modelos de predicción o clasificación y cuenta con habilidades de comunicación para trabajar en equipo.

 

Detalles:

Duración: 72 horas.

Modalidad: The Learning Gate.

Elijo amor

Help
Qué es elijo amor Dignidad Humana del Tec de Monterrey

En el Tec elegimos el amor

 

En el Tecnológico de Monterrey elegimos el amor y trabajamos para que todas las personas tengan un lugar seguro en el que se puede dialogar, donde sus voces sean valoradas y puedan ser auténticamente su mejor versión.

Este es nuestro compromiso: Amar la diversidad, colaborar por la equidad, impulsar la inclusión y sentir la pertenencia, siempre.

 

 

Historias con amor
Te invitamos a conocer la historia de Ale, César, Mariana, Silvano y cada una de las personas de nuestra comunidad. Confiamos en que, al conocerles, ampliarás tu mirada y tú también dirás, como nosotros/as, ¡Yo elijo amor!

Ale, Iza y Jorge
Brillan en la diversidad.

Margarita, Mildred y Debanhi Aidé
Elijen amor por todas.

Daniela, Alejandro, Eliud, Rosa, Gabriela y Karla
Dialogan sobre el amor.

Alejandra, César, Mariana y Omar
Conversan sobre su discapacidad de mover al mundo.

Silvano, originario de Veracruz
Comparte con orgullo su historia, su cultura, su lengua.

Ale, Matías y Pablo levantan la voz
Por la comunidad LGBTQA+ y el tránsito desde la autoaceptación, el reconocimiento y el trabajo desde el amor.

“Elegimos amor cuando entendemos y aceptamos que nuestras diferencias nos fortalecen, y que cada voz merece ser escuchada y respetada.”

Cuéntanos tu historia
Cada persona es única y valiosa. Si tú también quieres compartirnos la tuya, contáctanos.
Help
He leído y acepto los términos de AVISO DE PRIVACIDAD.
Enter the characters shown in the image.
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Síguenos

question_answer @DignidadHumanaC        

Contacto general

email  centrodignidadhumana@itesm.mx

Business

banner neg
Business
Leadership to create and share value with organizations and societies.
Why study Business at Tec?

Our purpose is to prepare leaders of impact. Therefore, from the very first semesters, our educational model allows you to enjoy, under the guidance of inspiring professors who are leaders in their field, learning focused on current challenges, connection with companies, and international experiences that will make your Tec experience even more enriching

The rules of the game in the business world are unwritten; identifying new ways of dealing with a changing, complex environment is crucial.

We are living in an era of growing urbanization, hyperconnectivity, cultural diversity, higher life expectancy, as well as greater challenges in economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Being part of Tec Business means acquiring competencies such as:

fondos alumnos fondos alumnos
SELF-KNOWLEDGE
banner alumnos banner alumnos
SELF-KNOWLEDGE
banner info banner info
COMMUNICATION
img img
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
img img
INTELLIGENCE
img img
COMPLEX
banner banner
TRANSFORMATION
Register here.

For more information, just fill out the following forms.

 

Not found

Be inspired by these stories

“Ever since I was little, I have always felt the drive to do things that will have an impact.”

Sofía Hanna Romero // Producer and Host of Punto y Hanna.

 

Enlace navigate_next

International Experiences

At present, more than half of our students graduate with an international experience. Every semester we offer over a thousand internationalization options in more than 50 countries through:

  • Exchange programs
  • Internships
  • Certificates
  • Language programs
  • Clinical rotations
  • Dual degrees
  • Specialization courses
  • Research stays

 

Concentrations
Here, you will have the opportunity to specialize by choosing concentrations, which will enable you to meet current and future market demands. Therefore, you will graduate with a unique profile, and your expertise will be invaluable.

Tackle challenges

 

Connection with the productive sector.

For experience-based learning to be possible, integration between the different social actors, such as academia, industry and social organizations, is indispensable.

Here are some of the leading companies and education partners you will be able to collaborate with:

Rankings por Subject
Academic programs at Tec de Monterrey stand out in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.
20

 

 

Marketing

24

Business & Management Studies

92

Accounting & Finance

Make it happen
These are the campuses where you can study your undergraduate degree.

Negocios

banner neg
Negocios
Liderazgo para crear y compartir valor con las organizaciones y las sociedades.
¿Por qué estudiar negocios en el Tec?

En el competitivo mundo de los Negocios, las reglas cambian constantemente. En el Tec, te preparamos para enfrentar este desafío.

Nuestro objetivo es formar líderes con impacto desde el principio. Con profesores inspiradores y conexiones empresariales, tu experiencia con nosotros será más enriquecedora.

Hoy, vivimos en un mundo urbano y conectado, con desafíos en sostenibilidad. En Negocios Tec, adquieres competencias clave como:

fondos alumnos fondos alumnos
icon
banner alumnos banner alumnos
icon
banner info banner info
icon
img img
icon
img img
icon
img img
icon
banner banner
icon
Regístrate aquí

Al ingresar tus datos, recibirás información y atención personalizada. ¡Te esperamos!

 

Not found

Inspírate con estas historias.

“Desde pequeña siempre he sentido un empuje a querer hacer las cosas para que causen impacto”

Sofía Hanna Romero // Productora y conductora de Punto y Hanna.

 

Enlace navigate_next

International Experiences

At present, more than half of our students graduate with an international experience. Every semester we offer over a thousand internationalization options in more than 50 countries through:

  • Exchange programs
  • Internships
  • Certificates
  • Language programs
  • Clinical rotations
  • Dual degrees
  • Specialization courses
  • Research stays

 

Concentraciones
Aquí tendrás la posibilidad de especializarte al elegir concentraciones, que te permitirán atender las demandas actuales y futuras del mercado, de este modo, te graduarás con un perfil único y tu expertise será invaluable.

Tackle challenges

 

Connection with the productive sector.

For experience-based learning to be possible, integration between the different social actors, such as academia, industry and social organizations, is indispensable.

Here are some of the leading companies and education partners you will be able to collaborate with:

Rankings por Subject
Programas Académicos del Tec de Monterrey destacan en QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.
20

 

 

Marketing

24

Business & Management Studies

92

Accounting & Finance

Campus de oferta carrera
Hazlo posible en nuestros campus

Embajador Digital Tec

Comparte tus conocimientos y contribuye a la Inclusión Digital.
Únete como embajador Digital

¿Qué es un Embajador Digital Tec?

 

Voluntarios de la Comunidad Tec que comparten sus conocimientos y habilidades digitales, en un ambiente de confianza ya sea formal o informal, para que otras personas mejoren las suyas.

 

¿Qué hace un Embajador Digital Tec?

radio_button_unchecked radio_button_checked

Sensibiliza

 

Sobre la brecha digital y sus efectos.

radio_button_unchecked radio_button_checked

Promueve

 

La Inclusión Digital y sus beneficios.

radio_button_unchecked radio_button_checked

Comparte

 

Sus conocimientos y habilidades con personas digitalmente excluidas.

radio_button_unchecked radio_button_checked

Asesora

 

Sobre el uso de tecnología en las actividades cotidianas.

8 ideas para participar como Embajador Digital Tec
El voluntario comparte sus conocimientos sobre las siguientes habilidades para ser Embajador Digital Tec.
Quiero ser Embajador Digital Tec
Únete como voluntario a la Inclusión Digital del Tec.
Quiero ser Embajador Digital Tec
Help
Help
He leído y acepto los términos de AVISO DE PRIVACIDAD.
Enter the characters shown in the image.
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
Contacto general