Research plays a key role at Tufts, and its high quality has been recognized again by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). The university ranked in the top 100 of U.S. universities granted utility patents—also known as patents for invention—for 2025.
Utility patents encompass many types of scientific breakthroughs that directly benefit society and human health, with potential for the creation of useful products that better the world.
“Research at Tufts covers a wide range of scientific disciplines, and the patents awarded last year to Tufts faculty show the vitality of our research enterprise,” said Bernard Arulanandam, vice provost for research. “These inventions will make the world a better place, and we are proud that our faculty efforts are recognized by the National Academy of Inventors.”
A number of these patents have been optioned or licensed by commercial parties for further development, including clinical trials. Last year, 33 patents were awarded to Tufts faculty in total. Tufts ranks 62 out of 100 on the NAI list .
“These universities and their inventive faculty are at the forefront of driving national innovation and competitiveness,” said Paul R. Sanberg, president of the National Academy of Inventors. “By moving their ideas to market and protecting their IP with patents, these institutions are ensuring that the U.S. not only remains competitive on the global stage, but directly shapes the future of innovation.”
A selection of patents drawn from across the university include the following faculty:
School of Arts and Sciences
Douglas Blackiston , assistant professor of biology, Michael Levin , Vannevar Bush Professor of Biology, and Kelly McLaughlin , professor of biology, hold the patent on xenobots—tiny, biodegradable, engineered living constructs first simulated in a computer and then made from Xenopus laevis cells that self-assemble into motile structures capable of navigating aqueous environments. Xenobots can repair damage, move through varied terrains, and operate collectively to manipulate particles or clear debris. They can also be engineered to carry molecular payloads, express enzymes or receptors for sensing, and record environmental exposure using photoconvertible fluorescent reporters. These features position xenobots as a versatile platform for programmable biological machines with potential applications in environmental remediation, microscale transport, biosensing, and the study of self-organization.
School of Dental Medicine
Jinkun (Jake) Chen and Qisheng Tu , both professors in the Department of Basic and Clinical Translations Sciences, are inventors of adiponectin receptor agonists used to treat inflammation and bone diseases in diabetes. The patent covers innovative small‑molecule compounds, known as AdipoAI, designed to activate adiponectin receptors to reduce inflammation and treat diabetes‑related bone disease. As the third patent in this family, it expands protection for both the molecule’s composition and its therapeutic applications. AdipoAI is supported by a growing body of peer‑reviewed publications from the Chen group demonstrating AdipoAI’s anti‑inflammatory effects across multiple disease models, highlighting its potential to address a wide range of inflammation‑driven conditions.
School of Engineering
Mai Vu , professor of electrical and computer engineering, holds a patent on a new way to optimize the connectivity in cellular networks, particularly 5G/6G mmWave systems, called User Equipment-Base Station (UE-BS) association. The invention aims to maximize the network throughput by addressing connectivity issues caused by overloading base stations, high interference, or weak direct links, by performing a simple algorithm at the network controller. The algorithm iteratively identifies and swaps the weakest UE-BS connections for better alternatives while maintaining the load balancing among all base stations in the network. Variants of the method utilize matching theory and preference lists to enable either efficient centralized or distributed associations. This invention is crucial for dense, modern 5G/6G networks such as those deployed in urban areas, stadiums, or high traffic regions; it offers fast convergence to the optimal network connectivity solution, while maximizing overall network capacity by accounting for complex interference and directional beamforming.
School of Engineering and School of Arts and Sciences
David Kaplan , the Stern Family Endowed Professor of Engineering and Distinguished University Professor, and Krishna Kumar , Robinson Professor in Chemistry, are inventors on a patent that uses silk to create hydrophobic coatings that prevent the attachment of unwanted biological matter on surfaces, such as bacteria on medical implants or barnacles on shipping vessels. The process couples haloalkyl substituents to the silk protein’s amino acids. By enhancing control over moisture interaction, this high-tech shield transforms traditional silk into a tunable, non-stick surface, adding durability and versatility for applications ranging from bone-repair screws to breathable, waterproof fabrics.
School of Medicine
Peter Bullock , professor in the Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology, holds a patent that covers specially engineered anti‑PD‑1 immunoglobulin polypeptides designed to bind the immune‑checkpoint receptor PD‑1 with high specificity. The patent discloses novel heavy‑ and light‑chain CDR sequences and stabilizing framework substitutions that improve binding, solubility, and therapeutic performance. These PD‑1–targeting proteins can be used for cancer immunotherapy, autoimmune disease treatment, diagnostic assays, and monitoring patient responses to PD‑1–related therapies. By enabling more precise modulation of the PD‑1 pathway—central to tumor immune evasion—the invention supports development of next‑generation biologics and diagnostics with potentially improved efficacy, reduced toxicity, and broader clinical utility.
A complete list of the Tufts faculty associated with 2025 patents follows.
Schools of Arts and Sciences
Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy