Scientists at the Wyss Institute and Gameto develop a living, fully human ovarian organoid that supports egg cell maturation and secretes sex hormones. This technology enables the study of human ovarian biology without tissue from patients and could lead to new treatments for infertility and ovarian cancer.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute developed a method to fine-tune CAR-T cell stimulation using artificial antigen-presenting scaffolds. This approach enhances consistency and potency of resulting CAR-T cell products, allowing for better cancer treatment outcomes.
Researchers develop eRapid sensor technology to detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, enabling fast and multiplexed testing at the point-of-care. The device distinguishes between antibody types targeting different viral proteins with high sensitivity and specificity.
A new method utilizes an unnatural sugar to anchor cytokines to T cells, enhancing their functions without systemic side-effects. The approach has shown promise in stimulating the host immune system against tumor cells and inhibiting tumor growth in mice with melanoma.
A new type of electrically conductive hydrogel scaffold has been developed to support brain cell growth and differentiation. The scaffold mimics the soft conditions of brain tissue and enables the creation of implantable biohybrid BCIs that integrate with a patient's brain tissue.
Researchers developed an efficient engineered pathogen capture method to quickly identify infectious microbes in tiny blood samples. This advanced technology could significantly improve clinical outcomes for children with bloodstream infections and sepsis.
Researchers studied human breast tissue growth in hydrogels of differing densities, finding liquid-like environments promote different tissue organization. The study has implications for understanding organ development and cancer growth.
Researchers at Harvard University developed a Human Vagina Chip to study the effects of microbiome on vaginal health. The chip replicated the human vaginal tissue microenvironment, including its microbiome, and showed that certain strains of bacteria can help maintain an acidic environment and reduce inflammation.
Researchers developed a new device, MAGENTA, that prevents and supports muscle atrophy recovery. The device stimulates muscles to stretch and contract, triggering key molecular pathways for growth. It has potential applications in treating various diseases such as ALS and MS.
Researchers have developed a new DNA nanotechnology-driven method called Light-Seq that enables the analysis of gene expression patterns in hard-to-access cells within intact tissues. This approach overcomes limitations of existing spatial transcriptomics methods, allowing for deeper understanding of disease mechanisms and biology.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute discover new class of immunostimulatory dsRNAs that potently induce IFN-I production while limiting inflammation. The dsRNAs inhibit pandemic viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, in mouse and human Organ Chip models.
A new point-of-care diagnostic device combines CRISPR with electrochemical sensing to track COVID-19 infections' course via saliva. The device can simultaneously detect both SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antibodies, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional lab tests.
A team of researchers created an in vitro human model of environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) using the Human Organ Chip technology. The EED Chips recapitulate features of EED found in biopsies from human patients, including inflammation and intestinal barrier dysfunction. The study sheds light on the complex interplay between malnu...
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute identified genes and molecular pathways that control tolerance to pathogens in frog embryos, which are also found in mammals. The study suggests that increasing tolerance to pathogens could be an effective way to prevent death and disease without exacerbating antibiotic resistance.
Researchers have developed a new approach to studying RNA molecules using nanotechnology and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), enabling the analysis of RNA subunits with unprecedented resolution. This breakthrough has significant implications for fundamental research, drug development, and RNA therapeutics.
Researchers from the Wyss Institute discovered that applying mechanical forces mimicking breathing motions suppresses influenza virus replication and activates protective innate immune responses. The Human Lung Chip was used to model these responses, leading to repurposed drugs for treating inflammatory lung diseases.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute create functional lymphoid follicles on a chip, replicating human immune responses and predicting vaccine efficacy. The discovery offers a new tool to model the complex choreography of human immune responses to infection and vaccination.
A team of researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute and ETH Zurich have developed a computational approach to identify genomic safe harbors (GSHs) with high potential for safe insertion of therapeutic genes. The study validated two GSH sites in adoptive T cell therapies and in vivo gene therapies for skin diseases.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have developed a microfluidic Organ Chip device that accurately models cystic fibrosis lung airway pathology. The model replicates key pathological hallmarks, including mucus layer changes and inflammatory responses, providing a comprehensive preclinical human model for investigating new therapies.
Researchers developed a human Intestine Chip to study coronavirus infection and test potential treatments. The chip showed that nafamostat reduced virus presence while remdesivir damaged intestinal tissue, offering insights into underlying causes of GI symptoms and improving understanding of treatment efficacy and toxicity.
Scientists at Harvard's Wyss Institute create eToeholds to target specific diseases, enabling more precise RNA therapy and diagnostic approaches. The technology, developed by James Collins and his team, uses internal ribosome entry sites to produce proteins only when a cell-specific or viral RNA is present.
Researchers develop DNA Nanoswitch Calipers to measure distances within single molecules using force, enabling the identification of single proteins in samples. This technique creates a unique 'fingerprint' that can be used to identify known molecules or infer structural information about unknown ones.
A Harvard study found that massage therapy using mechanotherapy rapidly clears immune cells from severely injured muscles, enhancing regeneration. The treatment also removed inflammatory cytokines, leading to greater repair and strength recovery in injured muscles.
A team of Harvard researchers created an integrated pipeline, STAMPScreen, to help genetic engineers identify target genes and perform screening studies. The protocol combines computational tools with lab experiments to quickly and efficiently test gene function in living cells.
The Minimally Instrumented SHERLOCK (miSHERLOCK) test uses CRISPR-based technology to detect multiple COVID-19 variants in saliva samples, providing faster and more accurate diagnoses. The low-cost device, costing $6 per assay, can be assembled using a 3D printer and provides results within one hour.
Research on brainless slime molds reveals that Physarum polycephalum uses its body to sense mechanical cues in its environment, performing computations similar to thinking. The organism grows toward the greater mass without physically exploring the area, and makes decisions based on relative patterns of strain it detects.
Researchers developed a biomaterial-based infection vaccine (ciVAX) approach to combat infectious diseases. ciVAX vaccines combine two technologies that capture immunogenic antigens from pathogens and reprogram the immune system, offering potential solutions for sepsis prophylaxis, pandemic threats, and biothreats.
Researchers have developed wearable biosensors that can be integrated into standard face masks to detect SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens. The technology, called wFDCF, involves synthetic biology reactions embedded in fabrics, providing rapid detection with accuracy comparable to PCR tests.
A research team at Harvard's Wyss Institute has developed a new approach to treat Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy using nanoparticle-based anti-inflammatory cytokines. Locally applied nanoparticles improve muscle functions and boost the numbers of infiltrating anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells, leading to stronger muscles.
A Wyss Institute collaboration used human organ chips to identify the antimalarial drug amodiaquine as a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2. The research streamlines drug testing and provides a proof-of-concept for repurposing existing drugs for new medical applications, including future pandemics.
Researchers created Retron Library Recombineering (RLR) to generate up to millions of mutations simultaneously and screen mutant cells efficiently. RLR eliminates the toxicity observed with CRISPR and improves genome-level exploration of mutations.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute develop programmable DNA self-assembly strategy for ultrasensitive diagnostic biomarker detection and scalable fabrication of micrometer-sized structures. The 'crisscross polymerization' approach enables robust nucleation control and growth to large sizes.
A new RNA detection method, BOLORAMIS, overcomes limitations of previous technologies to analyze RNA molecules in their native cellular environment. The study demonstrates high specificity and sensitivity, enabling the analysis of multiple RNAs simultaneously.
Researchers developed a mouse Intestine-on-Chip platform to study host-microbiome interactions, confirming that Enterococcus faecium promotes tolerance to S. typhimurium infection in mice. The technology mimics human Intestine Chips, enabling real-time analysis of normal and pathological processes.
A computational guide to lead cells down desired differentiation paths uses a novel computer-guided design tool to predict effective combinations of transcription factors. The approach significantly increases the efficiency of cell conversions, generating higher numbers of immune cells and skin cells than other methods.
A new CAD system uses convolutional deep neural networks to identify skin cancer earlier, analyzing multiple lesions and comparing them to a 'ugly duckling' metric. The technology improved upon previous systems with 90.3% sensitivity and 89.9% specificity.
A multi-disciplinary team at Harvard's Wyss Institute developed an electrochemical diagnostic sensor platform for multiplexed detection of clinically relevant biomarkers in whole blood. The device accurately detects three different sepsis biomarkers simultaneously and has the potential to revolutionize point-of-care diagnostics.
Researchers at Wyss Institute and Google Research used machine learning to design highly diverse AAV capsid variants that can evade neutralizing antibodies. The approach produced over 57,000 variants with improved functional diversity, potentially leading to improved gene therapies and reduced immunogenicity.
A new AAV-delivered gene therapy strategy uses immunomodulation to reduce inflammation and improve efficacy. By incorporating TLR9-inhibitory sequences into the AAV genome, researchers have enhanced expression of transgenes in mice, suggesting potential for higher efficacy.
A new laser-steering microrobot allows for precise control of laser beams in minimally invasive surgeries, enhancing surgical capabilities and precision. The device, developed by Harvard researchers, can be integrated into existing endoscopic tools and offers a non-disruptive solution for advancing surgery.
Researchers develop a new approach to treating lung metastasis by delivering chemokine CXCL10 via red blood cells, stimulating the immune system to attack tumors. Treatment with erythrocyte-anchored systemic immunotherapy (EASI) halts tumor growth and induces an immune response in mice.
A new biomaterial-based cancer vaccine has shown promise in treating aggressive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in mice, with 100% survival rate after a subsequent injection of cancer cells. The vaccine combines chemotherapy and immunotherapy to generate a sustained anti-cancer response.
Researchers created a glycan grammar system using natural language processing algorithms, enabling the prediction of immune responses to specific glycans. The tools allow for systematic study of glycans and their role in host-microbe interactions, expanding understanding of pathogenicity and molecular mimicry.
Scientists at Harvard's Wyss Institute have created a new method for enzymatic DNA synthesis that uses photolithographic techniques to write digital data into DNA. The approach enables the simultaneous writing of multiple DNA strands with varying sequences, paving the way for high-capacity data storage in DNA.
Researchers have developed machine learning algorithms to predict which RNA-based toehold switches function well, enabling the identification and optimization of these tools. The algorithms analyzed a massive dataset of over 100,000 toehold switch sequences and predicted their behavior with high accuracy.
A new CRISPR-based assay detects all four major malaria-causing Plasmodium species with high sensitivity and specificity, providing a viable solution to diagnose asymptomatic carriers. The SHERLOCK system enables rapid testing in just 60 minutes, surpassing WHO requirements for low parasite density detection.
Researchers at Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard have developed a miniature manipulator that uses origami-inspired design to enhance precision and control during teleoperated surgical procedures. The new device enables surgeons to perform complex operations with increased accuracy and reduced tissue damage.
Researchers develop siRNA-based treatment for psoriasis using ionic-liquid technology, reducing inflammation and symptoms without systemic side effects. The delivery method opens up new possibilities for treating debilitating dermatological disorders.
A new vaccine platform technology called Erythrocyte-Driven Immune Targeting (EDIT) successfully slowed the growth of cancerous tumors in mice by delivering antigens to antigen-presenting cells in the spleen. The approach uses red blood cells as delivery vehicles, generating an immune response without the need for adjuvants.
Dendritic cells can be labeled using an engineered sugar molecule that is taken up by the cells and displayed on their surfaces, allowing them to track DCs in vivo. The researchers also developed a system to modulate the behavior of DCs via click chemistry, which has great promise for treating cancer and other diseases.