Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have developed a novel system for separating materials using fluid-filled pores, which can precisely separate liquids, gases, and solids without clogging. The system harnesses dynamic control over a highly sensitive mechanism, allowing for efficient separation of complex mixtures.
Scientists have developed a new mechanism for engineering traits governed by multiple genes, paving the way for personalized gene therapies and regenerative medicine. The approach uses the Cas9 protein to activate specific genes, allowing for precise control over multiple genes and potentially treating diseases.
A novel liquid-infused polymer technology has been developed to prevent bacterial biofilm formation on medical surfaces, reducing the risk of infections. The technology uses a combination of silicone oil and polymer to create a slippery surface that repels bacteria, making it suitable for use in medical devices.
Researchers have developed DNA nanoswitches that can detect and report molecular interactions, enabling biological measurements to be made by almost anyone. The new tool dramatically lowers barriers to making traditionally complex measurements at a significantly lower cost than conventional equipment.
A new vaccine technology aims to provide a nonsurgical method for spaying and neutering dogs and cats, potentially reducing the number of animals in shelters and preventing euthanizations. The vaccine targets gonadotropin-releasing hormone, crucial for reproduction in mammals.
Researchers have developed injectable 3D vaccines using programmable biomaterials that can induce an immune response to fight cancer and infectious diseases like HIV. The vaccines recruit dendritic cells, which then trigger an immune response to attack harmful cells.
Researchers have identified new ways to regulate and control the growth of various cell and tissue types by analyzing individual stem cells' genetic makeup. The findings reveal a complex
A new computational model helps researchers rationally design and select protein molecules to create effective biologic drug therapies with reduced side effects. The model reveals that the length of a DNA linker influences how well fusion protein components attach to their intended receptors.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute have developed synthetic gene controls that can be used to create programmable diagnostics and biosensors, which can detect specific diseases or infections using saliva or a drop of blood. The new tools are delivered on pocket-sized slips of paper, making them portable and accessible for widespread use.
Scientists at Harvard's Wyss Institute have designed the first large DNA crystals with precise depth and complex 3D features, enabling the creation of revolutionary nanodevices. The breakthrough uses a modular 'DNA-brick self-assembly' method to build complex structures with nanometer precision.
Developed using FDA-approved materials, the coating prevents flowing blood from clotting for at least eight hours. It also suppresses biofilm formation and reduces bacterial adhesion, making it a potential solution to common medical device challenges.
Researchers at Wyss Institute have developed a method to form tiny 3D metal nanoparticles in prescribed shapes using DNA as a construction mold. The breakthrough has the potential to advance laser technology, microscopy, solar cells and more.
A Harvard team developed a human airway muscle-on-a-chip that accurately mimics the way smooth muscle contracts in the human airway. The chip can be used to test new drugs and measure human responses to asthma triggers, paving the way for patient-specific treatments.
A Harvard team has created a novel protein engineering system called BIND to engineer bacteria into living foundries for the production of biomaterials with specific functions. The researchers have demonstrated the ability to fuse multiple proteins to create multifunctional biofilms that can be programmed to perform various tasks.
The biospleen device uses magnetic beads coated with genetically engineered MBL proteins to remove pathogens and toxins from the blood. In laboratory tests, it filtered out over 90% of key sepsis pathogens within five hours.
The Wyss Institute is further developing its Soft Exosuit technology, a wearable robot designed to assist soldiers with heavy loads. The suit mimics the action of leg muscles and tendons when walking, providing small but careful assistance at joints without restricting movement.
A team of engineers developed a robot that assembles itself into a complex shape in four minutes flat and crawls away without human intervention. The robot uses an origami-inspired approach to fold itself up, with the potential for exotic applications such as space-based robotic satellites.
The Wyss Institute has commercialized its 'Organs-on-Chips' technology, which mimics human organs on a microchip, for pharmaceutical and personalized medicine applications. The new company, Emulate Inc., aims to reduce animal testing and accelerate drug development.
Researchers developed a hydrogel that releases chemotherapy drugs in short bursts triggered by ultrasound, improving cancer treatment outcomes. The self-healing gel approach offers a more effective and minimally invasive method for delivering drugs at the right place and time.
A Harvard-led team uses low-power laser therapy to stimulate human dental stem cells into forming dentin, a hard tissue similar to bone. The approach, led by David Mooney, could radically shift dental treatment and lead to broader clinical applications in regenerative medicine.
Scientists at Harvard's Wyss Institute have created a bone marrow-on-a-chip device that replicates the complex structure and function of living bone marrow. The device has passed initial tests, including a drug-testing capability that protected the engineered marrow from radiation.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have successfully created DNA nanodevices that can survive the body's immune defenses long enough to perform diagnostic or therapeutic tasks. The devices use a virus-like cloaking strategy to evade the immune system and deliver drugs directly to diseased tissues.
A new strain of E. coli bacteria has been engineered to detect and record environmental signals in the mouse gut, remembering what it 'saw' for up to a week. The approach, which uses a genetic switch from a virus, could lead to a radically new screening tool for human gut health and living diagnostics.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute created the largest standalone 3-D DNA structures using self-assembling DNA cages. The cages can be modified with chemical hooks to enclose contents, such as drugs or proteins, for potential medical applications.
Researchers develop a sponge-like gel that compresses and induces transplanted cells to form minerals and begin tooth development. The bioinspired material could one day help repair or replace damaged organs, such as teeth and bone.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have developed a method to manufacture large objects using a fully degradable bioplastic isolated from shrimp shells. The bioplastic exhibits properties similar to synthetic plastics, but without environmental threats.
A team at Harvard University developed a new method to pinpoint thousands of mRNA molecules within intact cells, revealing their sequence and function. This breakthrough could lead to earlier cancer diagnosis and better understanding of tissue development.
Scientists have created a low-cost, programmable soft actuated material that replicates the biological motion of the heart's twisting action, a key indicator of heart health. The material mimics the complex motion of the heart muscle, which is essential for efficient blood pumping.
Researchers at Harvard University's Wyss Institute have developed a bioprinting method to create intricately patterned 3D tissue constructs with multiple cell types and tiny blood vessels. The breakthrough enables the creation of thicker, functional tissues that can be used for drug testing and potentially replaced damaged human tissue.
Scientists have developed a new DNA-based, super-resolution microscopy method called Exchange-PAINT that can visualize up to dozens of different biomolecules at once in a single cell. This allows for a more accurate understanding of complex cellular functions and potential new ways to diagnose disease.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have developed a new humidity-driven generator using bacterial spores, which can generate 1000 times more force than human muscle. The prototype captures just a small percentage of the energy released by evaporation, but could provide a new source of renewable energy if scaled up.
A novel breast-cancer therapy has been developed that partially reverses the cancerous state in cultured breast tumor cells and prevents cancer development in mice. The therapy uses a sophisticated method to identify genes that drive cancer and blocks them using RNA interference, offering new hope for early-stage treatment without surg...
Researchers at Harvard University have created a new method to quantify the mechanical forces produced by living cells, which shape tissues and organs. By injecting tiny oil droplets into 3D tissues and embryos, scientists can measure the forces exerted by individual cells, shedding light on the role of mechanics in development and dis...
A Harvard team has developed a new microscopy method using DNA nanotechnology to overcome the diffraction limit and visualize tiny molecules in cells. The method, called DNA-PAINT, creates 'imager strands' that bind to target molecules, making them appear to blink and enabling sharper images than traditional methods.
Scientists discovered that rare codons near the start of a gene control protein production, allowing for more efficient bacterial reprogramming. This finding could lead to new methods for synthetic biologists to produce drugs and biological devices.
Researchers at Harvard University developed a programmable DNA glue that directs tiny gel bricks to self-assemble into complex structures. The method could help solve tissue engineering challenges by creating injectable components that self-assemble into biocompatible scaffolds.
The Wyss Institute will use its Organs-on-Chips technology to test human physiological responses to radiation and evaluate drugs designed to counter those effects. The project aims to improve the national ability to respond to nuclear radiation incidents and reduce animal testing.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new coating that makes ordinary glass tough, self-cleaning and incredibly slippery. The coating, inspired by the slippery leaves of carnivorous pitcher plants, repels a variety of liquids and maintains its mechanical stability even after scratches or damage.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute developed a microfluidic circulatory system for windows that can cool the glass while letting in sunlight. The system uses water to absorb heat and could reduce air-conditioning costs dramatically, cutting energy consumption by up to 8C.
The Watermark Ink device can instantly identify unknown liquids based on their surface tension, exploiting chemical and optical properties of nanostructured materials. This technology offers a cheap, fast, and portable way to perform quality control tests and detect liquid contaminants.
Researchers discovered that antibiotics can cause oxidative stress, damaging human cells and leading to side effects. The team found two novel strategies: using bacteriostatic antibiotics or antioxidants like N-acetylcysteine to prevent or remediate oxidative stress.
Scientists at the Wyss Institute have engineered E. coli bacteria to mass-produce medium-chain fatty acids, which can be converted into an energy-packed liquid fuel for internal-combustion engines. This breakthrough could lead to a sustainable replacement for gasoline in cars and other vehicles.
Scientists at Harvard University's Wyss Institute have found that low doses of silver can boost the efficacy of widely used antibiotics and make previously lethal bacteria sensitive again. This discovery holds promise for treating stubborn infections and developing new therapies against antibiotic-resistant infections.
A team of scientists at Harvard University and the University of Illinois successfully printed tiny lithium-ion microbatteries using 3D printing technology. The batteries have comparable electrochemical performance to commercial batteries but are much smaller in scale.
Researchers discover gut viruses confer antibiotic resistance to bacteria by transferring genes that help them withstand multiple antibiotics, raising concerns about the emergence of superbugs and the need for a new approach to mitigate development of antibiotic resistance
Researchers at Harvard University developed a tunable material system that can adapt to different environments, functions like self-adjusting contact lenses, pipelines, and textile materials. The bioinspired material is a continuous liquid film that changes shape in response to deformation, offering fine control over various properties.
The Wyss Institute has received a $9.25 million contract from DARPA to advance its sepsis therapeutic device, which uses magnetic nanobeads to cleanse the blood of pathogens without removing human cells or fluids. The technology has shown promise in treating deadly bloodstream infections that kill critically ill patients and soldiers.
The collaboration aims to accelerate the translation of Organs-on-Chips from benchtop to marketplace, providing more predictive and useful measures of drug efficacy and safety in humans. The Wyss Institute has developed over ten Organs-on-Chips, including lung, heart, liver, kidney, bone marrow, and gut-on-a-chip technologies.
The Harvard Wyss Institute's Lung-on-a-Chip has won a UK award for its potential to revolutionize drug development by reducing animal testing. The device, which mimics the complex functions of the human lung, has been used to study a life-threatening condition and identify potential new therapies.
Researchers developed a computer tablet application to quantitatively measure neuromuscular performance in patients, tracking deviations from circular paths as a function of age, sex, and handedness. The technology may hold great potential to augment existing protocols in doctor's neuromotor assessment toolbox.