Researchers developed a new way to engineer rhodopsin proteins, enabling the creation of tools with distinct properties. This technique doubles the number of available optogenetics tools, allowing for more precise experiments and advancing neuroscience research.
Researchers discovered that coated nanoparticles can form sticky structures when interacting with living organisms, leading to new properties and potential impact on cells. The study's findings may help scientists engineer nanoparticles that are 'benign by design', reducing environmental and health risks associated with nanomaterials.
Warren Ruder, a Pitt engineer, has been awarded $1.5 million from the NIH Director's New Innovator Award to develop magnetically induced synthetic gene networks for cell and tissue therapies. His research combines biology and engineering to create new biomimetic systems that can regulate disease pathways.
Karen Kasza, a researcher at Columbia Engineering, has won a Packard Fellowship for her work on understanding tissue development and morphology. Her lab aims to use novel approaches to engineer functional tissues for medical applications.
Jimil Shah, a recent mechanical engineering doctoral graduate, is the recipient of the 2018 ASME Electronic and Photonic Packaging Division Student Engineer of The Year Award. He excelled in research and has shown promise to be a strong contributor in the field of electronic and photonic packaging.
MIT researchers have developed a plug-and-play technology that automates chemical synthesis, allowing chemists to focus on analytical and creative aspects of their research. The system can optimize reactions in a single day, cutting weeks or months of optimization time.
Dr. Ben Conley has invented a metamaterial to bring full-spectrum infrared to warfighters, expanding sensed spectrum and improving visibility in caves and tunnels. The technology will not add weight or require additional battery power.
Researchers at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology aim to understand the design principles behind microbial community division of labor. They plan to use these principles to engineer microbial communities to produce chemicals through metabolic engineering.
The new tool developed at UPNA enables accurate estimates of radio propagation in interior environments, facilitating optimal deployment of wireless devices. This is crucial for optimizing data transmission speed, equipment energy consumption, and cost of deployment with the increasing number of wireless devices expected by 2020.
Hyeok Choi, a UTA environmental engineer, has received a $199,985 grant to prove a concept for cleaning up PFAS-contaminated soil and water. He plans to use oxidation and reduction technology, as well as activated carbon-based nanomaterials, to break down the chemicals.
A University of Houston engineer is leading a $800,000 project to improve the safety of storage containers for nuclear waste. The team will explore ways to reduce or avoid the degeneration of glass containers used to store radioactive waste.
A new study introduces CasPER, a CRISPR/Cas9 method that diversifies enzymes without additional engineering. It enables the efficient integration of large DNA fragments, allowing for hundreds of thousands of enzyme variants to be generated.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis engineer bacteria to produce biosynthetic spider silk with improved tensile strength and toughness, exceeding previous records. The new silk's molecular weight positively correlates with its strength, suggesting potential for further increases.
A Pew Research Center survey finds that majority of Americans accept genetic engineering of animals to prevent disease transmission and grow organs for transplants. However, others oppose the use of technology to improve meat quality or revive extinct species, citing concerns about ecosystem risks.
Researchers at Rice University and the University of Houston created models to predict the output of custom-built genetic circuits, enabling unprecedented precision in programming microorganisms. The models can be used to design microbes for complex environments, such as the gut microbiome or soil, and improve the controllable manufact...
A team of Boston College chemists has developed a technology to incorporate non-canonical amino acids into proteins made in eukaryotic cells, including humans. The novel strain of E. coli bacteria enables the facile engineering of the bacteria-derived genetic machinery, opening up new ways to probe and engineer protein function.
Researchers investigate how a group of cells breaks off from a colony, leading to large-scale metastasis. Mechanical engineer Amit Pathak aims to understand the mechanisms behind disease pathways and fundamental cell behavior.
Scientists have engineered a bacterium that can fix nitrogen from the air, paving the way for nitrogen-fixing plants that could reduce fertilizer usage and increase crop yields. The breakthrough could benefit billions of people worldwide, particularly subsistence farmers.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that people make more efficient decisions when they consider the long-term consequences and maximize overall value for the group. By creating psychological distance from a decision, individuals can see beyond immediate considerations and allocate resources effectively.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh developed a new approach to model complex chemical reactions, enabling better understanding of fundamental reactions and their impact on chemical engineering. PhD student Yasemin Basdogan created an artistic depiction of the research for the journal cover.
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has awarded City of Hope $3.7 million to develop a phase 1 clinical trial for glioblastoma patients that will genetically engineer their stem cells to better tolerate chemotherapy's side effects, allowing them to receive higher doses of the therapy. The trial is expected to star...
Researchers Corey Howard, Ralph Pudritz and William Harris use supercomputer simulations to re-create star cluster formation. The study shows that massive star clusters are the natural outcome of large gas collections, and can be used to reverse-engineer galaxy conditions.
UCI-led researchers developed a groundbreaking tissue implant to treat temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) defects, successfully testing it in a large animal model. The innovative approach involves isolating cartilage cells from rib tissue and using them to engineer new jaw disc cartilage.
Professor Lee recognized for his work on metabolic engineering to develop sustainable chemical materials, with notable research in drug-drug and food interactions using AI and novel enzymes. He is the second Asian recipient of the prestigious award, honoring Professor Peter V. Danckwerts.
Scientists at Colorado State University aim to engineer world's strongest biomaterial sporopollenin in lab, with $1.7 million DARPA grant. The goal is to produce tunable, scalable polymer for protective coatings on ships, bridges and other infrastructure.
Researchers at UC San Diego developed a technique to engineer graphene electrodes with low impedance and transparency. This allows for simultaneous recording of neuronal activity and high-quality imaging of brain cell activity in transgenic mice. The technology brings graphene electrodes closer to being adapted into next-generation bra...
Colorado State University biomedical engineer Jesse Wilson is proposing a radical new imaging technology that could diagnose mitochondrial defects in an instant. His technology aims to create a cost-effective, non-invasive way to diagnose mitochondrial diseases, which affect about 1 in 5,000 children and are often fatal.
The James Webb Space Telescope's instruments are shielded from excessive heat using specially designed baffles that reflect infrared radiation outward. The baffles, coated with gold to maximize reflectivity, are reinstalled before the observatory's integration at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have created ChemMaps, a webserver that allows users to interactively navigate the chemical space of over 8,000 drugs and 47,000 environmental compounds in 3D. The platform features two main maps: DrugMap and EnvMap, which include approved drugs and environmental chemicals, respectively.
Self-assembled block polymer membranes offer customizable pore sizes and can selectively remove contaminants from various water sources. The technology has the potential to advance water treatment technologies, enabling decentralized reuse of wastewater and reducing chemical demands for membrane cleaning.
A UH engineer is working to understand how crystals form in soft materials, with potential applications in drug design, biomedical diagnostics and petrochemical production. The researcher aims to control the crystallization process to improve outcomes in various fields.
Researchers at the University of Connecticut have created a biodegradable composite made from spider silk fibers, which can be used to repair broken load-bearing bones without complications. The new composite shows high strength and flexibility characteristics, making it suitable for treating large leg bones in adults and seniors.
Researchers deciphered the chemistry behind lithium fluoride's formation in SEI, discovering a new method to monitor hydrogen fluoride concentration. This monitoring capability is crucial for future basic science studies and commercial applications.
Engineers at U.S. Army Research Laboratory and University of Maryland developed a technique to control composite material behavior using ultraviolet light, enabling new capabilities for rotorcraft design, performance, and maintenance. The method allows materials to become 93%-stiffer and 35%-stronger after UV exposure.
Researchers at University of Sydney establish method to identify individual extracellular vesicles (EVs) using resonance-enhanced atomic force microscope infrared spectroscopy. This allows for biomarkers for diverse diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular, kidney and liver disease, dementia, and multiple sclerosis.
Researchers bridge the gap between organic and theoretical chemistry by proving the validity of 'curly arrows' in depicting chemical reactions. The study provides a new method to model electronic structure during chemical reactions, connecting traditional depictions with state-of-the-art quantum chemical calculations.
Scientists have engineered an extremely low loss nanostring that vibrates for minutes with a period of a microsecond, allowing them to 'hear' the sound of photons in a laser beam. The researchers hope to use this technology to detect weak light forces and potentially cool mechanical objects to absolute zero.
Researchers developed novel strategies to engineer more stable and active proteins, enhancing mRNA therapy potential. Sequence engineering improved protein expression, duration, and enzymatic activity in mice.
A new process enables 3D biofabrication of hollow and complex objects with excellent fidelity, facilitating the development of sustainable materials and biomedical applications. The method uses superhydrophobic interfaces to engineer bacterial access to oxygen in three dimensions.
A new study by Boston Medical Center found chemical peels to be a relatively safe treatment option for people with darker skin. The research revealed that less than four percent of participants experienced unwanted side effects.
A Lehigh University professor has received a prestigious NSF CAREER Award to explore the role of human mesenchymal stem cells in remodeling hydrogel materials for wound healing. Her research aims to develop new biomaterials with optimal properties for tissue regeneration and structural integrity.
A new energy storage solution has been developed by a UToledo engineer to make battery packs last longer and cost less. The bilevel equalizer circuit and retrofit kit can be used in various applications, increasing discharge capacity by 30% and extending pack lifespan.
Researchers at WashU Medicine used CRISPR to engineer human T cells that can attack human T cell cancers without succumbing to friendly fire. The new approach also allows for the use of therapeutic T cells from any healthy donor, eliminating the need for a matched donor or patient's own T cells.
A recent study has found that plants share defensive proteins through evolutionary pick 'n' mix, allowing them to respond effectively to emerging diseases. The research identified diverse groups of genes in various wild and domestic grasses, including wheat and barley, which can be used to engineer resistant crops.
The development of freezing techniques for bone marrow, pioneered by NASA engineer Tom Williams, has revolutionized transplant medicine. The technique allows donor marrow to be transported over long distances without cell death.
WPI researchers Raghvendra Cowlagi and Alexander Wyglinski combine their expertise in autonomy and wireless communications to create a network that enables self-driving cars to share information about traffic flow, road conditions, and accidents. This allows for safer operation on highways and congested city streets.
A University of Houston biomedical engineer has developed a new method to locate the brain's seizure onset zone in record time, reducing hospitalization time from up to 10 days to just one hour. This breakthrough could save patients weeks of treatment and improve their quality of life.
Arizona State University is developing a biomanufacturing platform to generate human neurons for testing treatments of neurodegenerative diseases. The project aims to engineer neural cell types needed for drug screening, potentially leading to innovative solutions for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Research by NREL found that up to 3% of PEVs on the road (7.5 million vehicles) does not significantly increase residential power demand. However, uncoordinated charging in clusters may overload distribution transformers, requiring infrastructure upgrades.
UCSB mechanical engineer Daniel Gianola and colleagues use machine learning to predict material failure based on a new concept of softness. By analyzing disordered materials, they found that the size of correlated softness is identical to the number of particles in motion during failure.
Researchers have invented a device that uses fast-moving fluids to insert flexible, conductive carbon nanotube fibers into the brain, where they can help record neuronal signals. The microfluidic-based technique promises to improve therapies relying on electrodes.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have created a first-of-its-kind chemical oscillator using DNA molecules, enabling precise molecular control and complex behaviors. The discovery opens doors to creating molecular machines that can perform sophisticated tasks such as communication and signal processing.
Researchers at NREL discovered distinct roles of small sugars in cellulase activity and stability, shedding light on the functions of glycans attached to proteins. This knowledge can be used to improve enzyme performance for biomass conversion to renewable fuels and products.
A team of researchers has successfully recreated Hofstadter's butterfly using quantum simulators, enabling the simulation of exotic electronic conduction properties. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new materials with unique properties.
Researchers from QUT, KIT, and Ghent University create a light-switchable chemical reaction system to revolutionize chip printing. The system uses visible light to reversibly switch certain chemical processes, potentially making it cheaper, simpler and safer.
The partnership aims to apply advanced chemical engineering research to industrial-scale chemical manufacturing, reducing waste generation, utility, and energy costs. The University of Pittsburgh's Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department is developing new educational programs and internships to prepare students for the industry.
NASA engineer Justin Jones used an industrial X-ray CT scanner to evaluate volcanic rocks and other specimens, revealing previously undetected minerals and 3D arrangements. The technology has potential applications in planetary exploration, including the analysis of samples from Mars and asteroids.
Eindhoven University of Technology has implemented significant reforms in its engineering education, introducing a three-course series that teaches patents and standards to improve students' critical thinking skills. The changes resulted in a significant increase in student intake, with over 1,900 students enrolled by 2015.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have engineered a novel way to genetically modify T cells to target and prevent leukemia relapse. The new immunotherapy, relying on engineered T-cell receptors, represents a different method of genetic engineering than CAR T-cell therapies.
Mahmooda Sultana, a NASA research engineer, has been named IRAD Innovator of the Year for her groundbreaking work on nanomaterials and detectors. She is expanding her research to develop quantum-dot technology and 3-D printed sensor platforms.