A study by Harvard's Wyss Institute shows that a soft robotic exosuit can significantly increase stroke survivors' walking speed and distance. The device, which weighs less than five kilograms, assists patients with impaired gait functions, enabling them to walk faster and farther.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have created disc-shaped particles that control macrophage behavior to slow tumor growth and metastasis in mice. The 'backpacks' keep macrophages in their tumor-killing state for up to five days, reducing the size of tumors and metastatic nodules.
Researchers at Wyss Institute and collaborating institutions aim to develop biomaterials-based approaches to enable anti-cancer immuno-therapies. The center will focus on boosting tumor-specific activities of cytotoxic T cells using innovative biomaterials and DNA origami.
The Wyss Institute's Human Body-on-Chip platform uses fluidically-linked systems of multiple human Organ Chips to predict drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The system quantitatively predicts drug behavior across the entire linked system, offering alternatives to animal tests and improving drug development efficiency.
A new organ-on-a-chip technology advance from Harvard University enables scientists to effectively replicate drug- and radiation-induced toxicity responses observed in human patients. The chip also replicated blood cell formation defects seen in patients with a rare genetic disorder, accurately predicting previously unknown abnormalities.
Researchers developed a novel cryogel vaccine that primes the immune system to attack and eliminate acute myeloid leukemia cells in mice. The vaccine successfully protected against disease recurrence when combined with chemotherapy.
Researchers developed an engineered probiotic that promotes mucosal healing and reduces inflammation in IBD patients. The 'Probiotic Associated Therapeutic Curli Hybrids' (PATCH) approach uses genetically programmed bacteria to create a biocompatible, mucoadhesive coating that facilitates healing.
Researchers developed a colon-on-a-chip device using patient-derived cells, enabling the study of intestinal mucus barrier functions and host-microbiome interactions. The device produced a bi-layered mucus structure that mimics the human intestinal surface.
Researchers at Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering developed an AAV-based gene therapy that targets leaky lung cells by overexpressing the CD98hc protein. This approach shows great promise in reducing vascular leakage and improving lung function, offering a new hope for treating pulmonary edema.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have developed a high-throughput synthetic biology approach to improve AAV capsid proteins, revealing hidden features and potential new accessory proteins that could help fast-track future gene therapies. The study uses machine-guided design to generate large numbers of high-quality capsid variants.
Researchers discovered that an orally administered liquid salt called Choline and Geranate (CAGE) can physically reduce fat absorption and slow down weight gain in rats. CAGE prevents fats from being absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to a significant reduction in body weight.
MM3D printing breaks the speed barrier for multimaterial 3D printing by switching between up to eight materials at 50 times per second. This enables the creation of complex shapes and origami-like architectures with high quality transitions.
A new technique called ELeCt uses drug-loaded nanoparticles bound to circulating red blood cells to inhibit lung cancer metastasis with tenfold greater success than free-floating nanoparticles. The research has shown improved survival rates and reduced side effects in mice with lung cancer, making it a promising clinical treatment.
Researchers at Wyss Institute develop 'eRapid' technology enabling low-cost, handheld electrochemical devices to detect a range of biomarkers with high sensitivity and selectivity. The platform overcomes biofouling problem with simple yet robust design, allowing mass-production of biochemical sensors at low cost.
A new study reveals that the Liver-Chip model can recreate species-specific toxicity responses to known tool and drug compounds, improving safety predictions in humans. The research demonstrates how this platform could help ensure that safe and effective therapeutics are identified sooner.
Researchers developed programmable repressor elements that can switch off protein production in response to specific stimuli, enabling sophisticated diagnostic, environmental and biofabrication approaches. The new tools have the potential to improve applications in next-generation diagnostics, environmental reporting and biomanufacturing.
Researchers developed a combination gene therapy treating four age-related diseases in mice, including heart failure, kidney failure, diabetes, and obesity. The treatment showed significant improvements, reversing or completely eliminating disease symptoms in obese and diabetic mice.
A fast and ultrasensitive multiplexed blood-based TB triage test analyzes a signature of four proteins and an anti-TB antibody to identify patients with tuberculosis. The test demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in clinical trials, making it a promising solution for low-resource countries where diagnosing ATB is challenging.
A research team developed a new machine learning approach called UniRep to predict protein functions and identify optimal amino acid sequences. The method was trained on 24 million protein sequences and accurately predicted features such as protein stability and secondary structure.
Researchers developed a bacterial genetic oscillator that records changes in microbiome growth patterns, providing an objective measurement of time. The system uses an oscillating gene circuit to track cell divisions and analyze bacterial growth rates, offering insights into the dynamics of the gut microbiome.
Researchers have developed thinner shells for delivering therapeutic biomolecules, reducing osmotic pressure required for safe release. The lopsided microcapsules can burst at lower pressures, making them suitable for controlled release in medicine and other fields.
Researchers from Harvard's Wyss Institute create a new 3D printing method called SWIFT, which allows for the growth of large, vascularized human organ building blocks. The technique enables the creation of viable, organ-specific tissues with high cell density and function.
A new underwater gripper developed by researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering has successfully caught and released jellyfish without causing harm. The ultra-soft gripper uses hydraulic pressure to wrap around a single jellyfish, then release it, allowing for extensive study of marine organisms.
A new study reveals pancreatic cancer cells invade and destroy nearby blood vessels, replacing them with tumor-lined structures. The process is driven by the interaction between the protein receptor ALK7 and the protein Activin, pointing to a possible target for future treatments.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute develop CRISPR-responsive smart materials that can release bound cargo, change structures, or regulate electric circuits. These materials have potential for novel theranostic strategies, point-of-care diagnostics, and regional monitoring of epidemic outbreaks.
A team at Harvard's Wyss Institute developed Immuno-SABER, a DNA-based signal amplification method that allows for the multiplexed visualization of many proteins in single cells. The approach enables independent tuning of signal intensity and simultaneous detection of multiple proteins with high sensitivity and speed.
A team of researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute has developed a portable exosuit that assists with gait-specific hip extension during both walking and running. The device reduces metabolic rates by 9.3% for walking and 4% for running, demonstrating its versatility in various environments.
Scientists at the Wyss Institute successfully manipulated four bacterial strains to exhibit beneficial interactions and balance in complex environments. By modifying their genomes, they encouraged the bacteria to adopt a live-and-let-live approach, promoting resilience and diversity within the consortia.
A new approach from Harvard researchers uses a biomaterial scaffold and childhood vaccines to attract and activate T cells that promote revascularization of ischemic tissues. The technique increases the concentration of T cells at the ischemic site and stimulates angiogenesis, blood flow, and muscle fiber regeneration.
Researchers have developed an active adhesive dressing that contracts in response to body heat, speeding up wound healing. The dressings, inspired by embryonic skin, use thermoresponsive polymers and silver nanoparticles to prevent bacterial growth, making them a promising alternative to traditional treatments.
Researchers develop single-cell encapsulation technology to protect transplanted stem cells from clearance and immune attack, improving bone marrow transplant success rates in mice. The new microgels allow MSCs to persist in the body longer and resist immune rejection.
Researchers developed a bacterial memory circuit that can detect and report disease signals in the gut, enabling non-invasive diagnosis. The system uses E. coli bacteria with synthetic trigger elements to identify potential biosensors, showing promise for long-term digestive health monitoring and treatment.
Researchers discovered that Veillonella bacteria in elite athletes' gut microbiomes can enhance exercise performance in mice by breaking down lactate and producing propionate, a short-chain fatty acid. This breakthrough paves the way for highly-validated performance-enhancing probiotics.
A new microfluidic organ chip model of the human blood-brain barrier has been developed, allowing for in vivo-like transport of drugs and therapeutic antibodies. The model recapitulates the physical barrier functions and transport abilities of the human BBB, offering a significant advance in drug development.
Researchers have developed 'tension pistons' that generate more than three times the force of comparable conventional pistons, eliminating friction and improving energy efficiency. The new design has potential applications in various machines and devices, including shock absorbers, car engines, and mining equipment.
Researchers have developed SABER, a highly programmable method that significantly enhances the sensitivity and customization capabilities of FISH analysis. It enables parallel detection of many targets with high sensitivity and tunability at low costs.
Researchers have developed an 'anaerobic Intestine Chip' that stably maintains a complex human microbiome and provides a protective physiological barrier. This breakthrough technology allows for direct investigations of health and disease-related human-microbiome interactions under low oxygen conditions.
A multi-disciplinary team of researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering discovered four human microbiome metabolites that enhance colon injury by enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) in a human-mouse comparative study using Organ-on-a-Chip technology.
Researchers created a 3D vascularized proximal tubule model to study renal reabsorption outside the human body. The model exhibited functional epithelial and endothelial cell morphologies and transported glucose effectively, allowing for the testing of drugs and modeling of diseases.
Researchers developed a reversible antiplatelet therapy using deactivated platelets that can reduce the risk of blood clots and prevent cancer metastasis. By adding fresh platelets, the inhibition of normal platelet activity is rapidly reversed, allowing patients to quickly regain their ability to form blood clots.
Researchers at Wyss Institute develop method to enhance kidney organoid vascularization and maturation, enabling accurate modeling of kidney diseases and drug toxicity testing. This breakthrough paves the way for new building blocks in renal replacement therapies.
Researchers at Harvard University developed a micro-robot called HAMR-E that can climb on vertical and upside-down surfaces, allowing for non-invasive inspection of hard-to-reach areas of large machines. The robot uses electroadhesive foot pads and origami ankle joints to navigate complex environments, saving companies time and money.
The Wyss Institute aims to develop 'Time-Tolerant Biostasis Therapeutics' that slow down critical processes in the human body, giving time to repair life-threatening injuries. The goal is to stabilize molecules, cells, organs, and metabolic state using temperature-independent mechanisms.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed an integrated 3D printing and valve sizing system to predict leaky heart valves during aortic valve replacement procedures. The system uses CT scan data to create physical models of individual patients' aortic valves, allowing cardiologists to determine the perfect replacement valve size.
Scientists at Harvard University and Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a new immunoassay technique that measures extremely low concentrations of small molecules using single-molecule detection. The method was tested on two important human body molecules, cortisol and PGE2, achieving up to 50 times greater sensitivity than conventi...
Scientists have created microscopic three-dimensional polymer shapes that can be programmed to move in any direction in response to multiple types of stimuli. These microstructures could lead to the creation of more efficient solar panels that turn to follow the sun.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have created a novel yeast biohybrid system using an adaptable light-harvesting semiconductor approach. The innovation enables the production of complex chemicals by harnessing energy from light, significantly enhancing product yields and opening up new paths for biomanufacturing.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute developed a liquid-gated membrane system that filters nanoclay particles out of water with high efficiency, reducing fouling and pressure requirements. This innovation has the potential to save energy and improve industrial processes in various industries.
A new modular soft robotic arm enables deep-sea researchers to interact with delicate sea life without damaging them. The system features a glove-controlled arm that can flex and move with unprecedented dexterity, allowing scientists to explore understudied ocean environments.
Researchers develop a system using IL-4 nanoparticles to target macrophages, reducing inflammation and promoting muscle fiber regeneration. Mice with injured muscles treated with IL-4 nanoparticles showed improved muscle structure and strength.