A team of researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute has successfully engineered human induced pluripotent stem cells into mature podocytes with over 90% efficiency, paving the way for modeling patient-specific kidney diseases and guiding therapeutic discovery. The development of a functional human kidney glomerulus chip opens up new expe...
Researchers developed a hydrogel-based embolic agent that can form robust and safe blockages in blood vessels, eliminating common caveats of existing embolization methods. The new approach holds promise for treating patients with bleeding disorders or receiving blood-thinners.
Researchers at Wyss Institute develop self-healing slippery surface coatings to prevent biofilm formation on medical implants, preserving innate immune responses. The technology has the potential to obviate widespread antibiotic use and minimize antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.
A new microfluidic method enables the encapsulation of individual cells within microgel capsules, reducing the size and increasing the specificity of control. This breakthrough has the potential to boost efficacy of cell-based therapies and tissue engineering by allowing for more precise targeting and survival of encapsulated cells.
Researchers have developed a device that mimics the effects of cigarette smoke on human lungs, providing new insights into how non-smokers and COPD patients respond to smoke. The device enables the comparison of physiological responses in healthy individuals and COPD patients before and after exposure to cigarette smoke.
Scientists at Harvard's Wyss Institute have developed a way to analyze the effect of mechanical stiffness on chemotherapy treatment. The new method uses alginate hydrogels to mimic tumor and normal tissue environments, revealing that softer matrix conditions lead to increased resistance.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute have successfully bioprinted a functional 3D renal architecture that recapitulates key functions of the kidney, including nutrient reabsorption. The printed tissue is composed of living human epithelial cells and has been sustained for over two months in vitro.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute developed a new electronic DNA sequencing platform using biologically engineered nanopores, enabling highly scalable, accurate single-molecule DNA sequencing. The method can transform precision medicine by dramatically lowering the cost of sequencing while increasing accuracy.
A new device replicates the crucial interface between endothelial cells and circulating blood, enabling the diagnosis of blood clotting disorders and monitoring of anti-platelet therapy. The device uses chemically fixed human endothelial cells to mimic cellular and vascular flow conditions, increasing robustness and diagnostic accuracy.
A Harvard team has developed discrete molecular imaging (DMI), which enhances super-resolution microscopy with ultra-high resolution, enabling researchers to study molecular conformations and heterogeneities. The technology complements current structural biology methods, opening up new ways to analyze complex biological samples.
A rapid and specific diagnostic assay can detect pathogens in blood within an hour, distinguishing between infectious and non-infectious causes of inflammation. The assay uses FcMBL, a genetically engineered pathogen-binding protein, to identify infection-causing pathogens with high sensitivity and broad specificity.
A new method enables rapid isolation and concentration of infectious bacteria from complex clinical samples, accelerating bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. This breakthrough uses an engineered pathogen-binding protein to capture live pathogens from joint fluids, allowing for faster and more accurate diagno...
Researchers developed an actuator that mimics the movement of skeletal muscles using vacuum power, generating movements similar to those of real muscles. The actuators are soft, shock-absorbing, and pose no danger to their environment or humans working alongside them.
The Wyss Institute aims to discover why some individuals tolerate infectious pathogens while others exhibit life-threatening responses, which could inform the development of novel therapies. The project will search for and identify examples of tolerance across several species through experiments with clinically-relevant pathogens.
A study by the Wyss Institute team provides a valuable guide to researchers on selecting synthetic Cas9 proteins for gene activation in various cell types. The findings identify top-performing activators and offer strategies to maximize gene expression.
A new method enables the rapid release of intact cell sheets from a culture dish to damaged tissues, revolutionizing tissue repair. The technique leverages Slippery Liquid-Infused Porous Surfaces (SLIPS) to induce slipperiness and detach cell sheets in just five minutes.
A team at Harvard's Wyss Institute developed a novel method to print metallic architectures without supports, allowing for customized electronic and biomedical devices. The technique uses laser annealing of conductive metallic inks, resulting in complex wire patterns and sharp angular turns.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering have developed a novel, inexpensive method for detecting the Zika virus that could help slow its spread. The system uses a simple modular workflow comprising three steps: amplification, detection, and strain identification.
A team at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering developed a novel strategy for engineering protein fusions to improve in vivo efficacy and safety. The approach enabled the creation of cell-targeted drugs that reduce potential side effects and accelerate new drug development.
qPAINT allows for accurate counting of biomolecules at specific locations within cells, extending the capabilities of DNA-PAINT and Exchange-PAINT techniques. The method utilizes transient interaction of short DNA strands to deduce molecular numbers with high precision.
Researchers developed an inexpensive method to analyze thousands of similar molecules simultaneously, using programmable DNA nanoswitches with a miniaturized Centrifuge Force Microscope. This approach allows for highly reliable tool to observe single molecule complexes under mechanical forces in parallel.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute developed a method for bioprinting thick vascularized tissue constructs composed of human stem cells and extracellular matrix. The resulting tissues can sustain and function as living architectures for upwards of six weeks, enabling controlled perfusion of fluids, nutrients, and cell growth factors.
Genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors allow researchers to visualize the formation of valuable products in real-time and test billions of candidates at a time. This breakthrough enables efficient identification of the most productive microbes for fine chemicals, therapeutics, and biofuels production.
A recent study published in the Journal of Cell Biology reveals that stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes have weaker contractile strength than their biological counterparts, which could explain shortcomings in clinical trials. The findings suggest that novel assays are needed to better understand the basic science behind stem cell therapy.
Wyss Institute researchers create protein actuators that can mechanically puncture cell membranes and release beneficial molecules. The system, inspired by bacterial R bodies, uses pH levels to extend and retract the nanoneedles, enabling precise control over cell delivery.
Scientists have developed a method to engineer custom biosensor proteins that can precisely sense specific molecules, expanding the variety of biosensor designs. The approach combines computational protein design, in vitro synthesis, and in vivo testing to identify tailored biosensors.
The Wyss Institute is leading a $21 million IARPA-funded brain mapping consortium to map neural circuits with unprecedented fidelity. The project aims to discover the brain's learning rules and synaptic circuit design, furthering neurally-derived machine learning algorithms.
Researchers have developed a novel 4D printing method inspired by natural structures like plants, which respond and change their form over time. The new technique enables the creation of transformable architectures with precise, localized swelling behaviors.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute have discovered that cyclic mechanical stimulation can improve muscle regeneration and reduce scarring, opening doors for new non-biologic therapies. The study used murine models of muscle injury and found a two-and-a-half-fold improvement in muscle regeneration with both magnetized gel and robotic cuf...
Scientists at the Wyss Institute developed a bioinspired blood coagulation assay that can detect abnormal platelet function in patients with rare bleeding disorders. The device uses microfluidic technology to mimic blood flow dynamics, enabling real-time monitoring of clotting and preventing life-threatening events.
A new microfluidic model of the human small airway has been developed to study COPD and asthma, allowing researchers to analyze disease mechanisms, identify biomarkers, and test new drug candidates. The model recapitulates critical features of asthma and COPD with unprecedented fidelity and detail.
Scientists have developed a human-gut-on-a-chip model that allows them to analyze the interactions between normal gut microbes and pathogenic bacteria, providing new insights into inflammatory bowel diseases. The technology has revealed four small proteins that stimulate inflammation, opening up a potential therapeutic pathway for trea...
Researchers develop novel method to track microbial populations, revealing key role of initial cell death in long-term survival and adaptation to gut environment. This advancement could help identify novel therapies for treating conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, obesity, and cancer.
A new mattress device has been shown to reduce apneic events by 50% and improve breathing stability in preterm infants, with potential benefits for hospital stays and long-term cognitive development.
Researchers at Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard have deciphered the 3-dimensional architecture of a chiton mollusk's eyes, which are made of inorganic aragonite crystals. The findings could help determine rules for generating man-made multifunctional materials with sensory capabilities.
Researchers at Harvard University have demonstrated effective safeguarding mechanisms for gene drives and unveiled a method for reversing the changes they spread. This breakthrough enables the safe management of disease-transmitting organisms and paves the way for potential use in pest control and disease prevention.
A consortium of scientists proposes a Unified Microbiome Initiative to drive cutting-edge microbiome research. Genetic engineering holds the key to harnessing microbes for diverse applications, including fighting antibiotic resistance, reclaiming farmland, and producing sustainable energy.
Scientists have developed a novel method to quickly dissolve away clots that completely obstruct blood vessels in the brain. A drug-device combination using an intra-arterial device restores blood flow to obstructed vessels, effectively clearing the blockage.
A new strategy using porous, transplantable hydrogels has experimentally improved bone repair by boosting the survival rate of transplanted stem cells and influencing their cell differentiation. This breakthrough could lead to enhanced regenerative therapies for various tissues and organs.
Researchers at Harvard and MIT have developed a new approach that allows for both genome editing and gene regulation to be achieved using the same Cas9 protein, opening up possibilities for understanding diseases and designing synthetic gene circuits. The method uses engineered guide RNAs to control gene expression.
A new minimally invasive vaccine combines cancer cells with immune-enhancing factors, evoking an immune response in a simpler and more economical way. The approach has shown promising results in experimental animal models, shrinking tumors and protecting animals from tumor growth.
The Wyss Institute has developed an improved blood-cleansing device that can treat sepsis by removing pathogens and toxins from the bloodstream. The new device uses a genetically engineered pathogen-capturing protein to bind all types of live and dead infectious microbes, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and toxins.
Scientists have created a new suite of biosensors that enable two-way communication between humans and cells, allowing them to control and optimize the production of valuable chemicals. The biosensors can detect which microbial 'workers' are producing the most efficient amounts of desired chemicals.
An international team of scientists developed a robotic insect that can jump on water using the natural mechanics of water striders. The robot exerts up to 16 times its own body weight on the water's surface, mimicking the insects' ability to perform extreme maneuvers like jumping and flying with ease.
A unanimous international consensus reached by 26 scientists recommends specific measures for the responsible conduct of gene drive research. The group calls for all researchers to use multiple confinement strategies to prevent accidental alteration of wild populations.
A team of Harvard scientists has developed a durable, soft-bodied jumping robot by seamlessly integrating rigid and soft body parts. The robot's unique design uses a gradient material strategy to reduce stress concentrations, making it extremely durable and safe for human operation.
A team at Harvard's Wyss Institute discovered that bacteriostatic antibiotics slow down oxygen consumption, reducing cellular respiration and making bacteria tolerant. This can explain why certain antibiotic therapies fail. The findings provide a new strategy for developing urgently needed therapeutics.
A Wyss Institute team is developing genetically engineered bacteria that can sense, report, and combat harmful microbial invaders in the human gut. The team aims to create a probiotic pill form of the microbes that could reduce the length of gastrointestinal illness, returning individuals to their activities sooner.
Researchers have successfully transplanted a circadian rhythm from cyanobacteria into bacteria, opening up new possibilities for precisely timed drug release and therapeutic applications. The genetically engineered bacteria can monitor gut microbiota and potentially influence metabolic functions.
A novel, truly biocompatible alginate hydrogel has been developed using 'click chemistry' that can be synthesized quickly and reliably. The gel is designed to release drugs or cells in a controlled manner, making it suitable for applications such as wound healing and tumor treatment.