Articles tagged with Bioengineering
Researchers are working on a four-year project to develop a personalized model that uses detailed blood flow information to detect obstructions in the aorta. The project aims to improve prenatal testing so that doctors can spot problems in the aorta before a baby is born and recommend treatments.
A new paper-thin robot powered by muscle cells can swim through a watery maze, offering a way to design small, efficient biohybrid robots. The robot uses a layer of live muscle cells that twitch in response to light, allowing it to control its direction and speed.
MIT researchers developed a new technique to produce lipid nanoparticles with precise control over size and shape, accelerating the development of RNA and DNA therapeutics. The automated system can produce particles of varying sizes and shapes, enabling targeted delivery to specific organs and tissues.
The study reveals that RebD and RebC are crucial in forming the R-body architecture, while RebA and RebB alone are insufficient. The findings provide valuable insights for engineering dynamic protein systems and designing stimuli-responsive protein materials.
Researchers found that gut bacteria-derived polyamines, including putrescine and spermidine, contribute to extended lifespan in fruit flies. The study used genetically engineered E. coli to investigate the specific contribution of polyamines to host lifespan, revealing a sex-dependent effect with males living longer than females.
Researchers at MIT have developed a handheld device to collect living cells from specific locations in patient samples, enabling early cancer detection and personalized medicine development. The device uses a microfluidic channel to gently detach living cells from tissue, allowing for targeted sampling and cultivation for diagnostics a...
Researchers developed a gene-delivery system that converts reactive astrocytes into functional neurons, improving motor recovery in mice and rats. The system, TRANsCre-DIONE, selectively targets scar-forming cells and reprograms them into neurons, which generate nerve impulses and receive signals from other neurons.
A UCF researcher and her team used AI to screen existing FDA-approved drugs for potential treatments of schwannoma tumors in children with Neurofibromatosis type 2. The research identified 10 promising candidates, with the most favorable targets stopping tumor cell growth by impacting different cellular mechanisms.
A Korean research team has developed NUDGE, a foundational technology that redirects cell fate in a desired direction through a minimal, temporary intervention. The approach harnesses the gene regulatory dynamics already present within cells, allowing for a single temporary stimulus to guide a cell to a desired state. NUDGE's technolog...
This technology enables high-throughput screening for small molecules that selectively lower toxic CAG repeat RNA, helping to develop therapies for neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington’s and spinocerebellar ataxias. The system overcomes major limitations of previous constitutive systems by utilizing an inducible promoter, dual-re...
Researchers at MIT have developed a noninvasive way to detect biomarkers of senescence, a state of cells that stop dividing but do not die, using Raman microscopy and gene expression data. This method could lead to better diagnosis and treatment of age-related disorders.
The team's CRESEnT technology converts easily degraded mRNA into a circular form, increasing protein production and stability. This enhances the productivity of cell factories used to produce valuable compounds, such as biofuels and pharmaceutical ingredients.
A Worcester Polytechnic Institute-led research team aims to recover valuable resources from industrial waste using biomolecules and organic scaffolds. The project could transform large volumes of waste into marketable products, reducing reliance on newly mined resources and lowering environmental footprints.
Professor Graeme Clark has been jointly awarded the 2026 Honda Prize for his pioneering work on multichannel cochlear implants, which have restored hearing to over 650,000 people globally. His research and collaboration with industry led to the development of the bionic ear, a device that transmits sound directly to the brain.
A new saliva-based assay rapidly and accurately assesses flavivirus immunity by measuring multiple antibody classes in saliva. The test can distinguish between individuals with polytypic dengue virus immunity and those who have previously experienced both dengue virus and Zika virus infections.
This DNA nanoswitch technology detects RNases using a simple mix-and-read methodology, offering a cost-effective solution for biological samples. The nanoswitch changes shape in response to RNase presence, making it a useful tool for RNase-sensing applications.
A novel laser-fabricated plasmonic chip combines 185 nm Raman resolution with deep learning to identify and sort cancer cells. The developed sorter achieves precise cell sorting without labeling, using spatially resolved Raman signals.
Researchers at Delft University of Technology have developed a method to decouple properties in meta-biomaterials, allowing for tailored biomedical engineering applications. By separating mechanical and morphometric properties, scientists can systematically investigate how individual material characteristics affect cell behavior and ti...
Researchers discovered that β1 integrin and DDR2 form a cooperative collagen-sensing system in skeletal progenitor cells, regulating their migration, proliferation, and differentiation during bone regeneration. Targeting both receptors may provide a more effective strategy for enhancing bone repair in degenerative or injury-related ske...
Advances in photonic instrumentation are reshaping Brillouin imaging capabilities, enabling dynamic imaging, three-dimensional measurements, and complex biological specimens. However, translating optical measurements into reliable biological interpretation requires rigorous interpretation of Brillouin observables.
Researchers have developed a human engineered heart tissue model of diastolic heart failure, enabling treatment testing with SGLT2 inhibitors, which partially prevented disease development. The model demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects of SGLT2i, improving ion exchanger function and preventing accumulation of ions in tissues.
A new study led by the University of East Anglia reveals that different species of microscopic algae can behave in strikingly different ways due to their genetics. The 100 Diatom Genomes Project aims to sequence the genomes of 100 diatom species to provide insights into their roles in capturing carbon dioxide and as the foundation of d...
Rice University bioengineer Michael King joins the Texas Cancer Institute's AI advisory panel to explore AI's potential in cancer research and prevention. The panel aims to ensure responsible and ethical use of AI in biomedical research, with King's expertise in cancer bioengineering playing a key role.
A study published in Advanced Materials Interfaces reveals that proteins with exposed arginine residues selectively accumulate on protein-resistant coatings, compromising biocompatibility of medical devices. Researchers developed a new design guideline for predicting and controlling protein corona formation at the molecular level.
KAIST researchers analyzed key challenges in microbial food industry and proposed growth strategies for next-generation protein market. The study emphasizes the importance of manufacturing readiness, market entry strategies, and regulatory compliance in commercializing microbial foods.
The study provides a practical framework for choosing biodiesel feedstocks by weighing climate impact and air pollution, offering solutions for climate change mitigation. Waste-derived feedstocks demonstrated lower GHG emissions, while plant-based options had varying pollution levels, highlighting the importance of considering air-poll...
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new approach to diagnose sepsis-causing bacteria in blood infections, which can rapidly identify the specific pathogens and ideal antibiotics. This new approach, called STREAM, enables faster diagnosis and treatment, potentially reducing antibiotic resistance and improving patient outcomes.
A new T32 training program connects bioengineers and neurosurgeons to work on research projects improving neurosurgical practice. The program brings together postdoctoral associates and residents to collaborate on team-based research projects, closing the gap between neurosurgery and bioengineering.
A new flu vaccine, made using baker's yeast, has shown strong immune responses in mice, protecting against three different strains of flu, including those that mutate slowly. The vaccine targets the M2 protein, which is less likely to mutate and could provide broader protection against future flu strains.
USC researchers have developed custom, 3D-printed MRI sensors that provide clearer images of small organs in infants and children. The sensors, which can be customized to individual patients, are made in under 10 minutes and cost around $30.
A KAIST research team has identified the molecular lock that keeps cells trapped in an altered state, opening a new path toward releasing that lock and reversing a cell's fate. The team developed a fundamental control technology called ROOT that can regulate these circuits and restore biological states to their original condition.
A team from Osaka Metropolitan University created a coconut oil-based fuel that can be added to jet fuel without lowering performance. The fuel blend showed comparable thermal efficiency and reduced hydrocarbon emissions, making it a promising alternative.
Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo and Kyoto University created hierarchical DNA networks using DNA polymerase and kinesin nanomachines. The study demonstrates the importance of active molecular motion in network formation, a step toward materials that assemble and organize themselves like living systems.
Researchers at Penn State have developed genetic 'switches' that can program 3D-printed bone tissue to grow blood vessels, enabling the regeneration of bone tissue in severe trauma or infections. The technique uses microRNA molecules to push cells down a differentiation pathway optimized for either tissue growth or vascularization.
Researchers designed bacteria that function as transistors, allowing for the creation of living circuit boards that can perform complicated calculations. The transistors can be combined to create a variety of circuits, including those that add two or three inputs or send one input to a specific location.
Researchers developed a wearable patch that uses room light to treat skin wounds, promoting wound closure and tissue regeneration. The patch, made of a stretchable silicone elastomer, emits red light that activates a photosensitizer, inducing collagen crosslinking and alleviating inflammation.
Dr. Chelsea Hu's research combines device engineering, real-time feedback control and mathematical modeling to address the challenge of controlling dynamic biological systems. Her team developed LED-Embedded Microplate for Optogenetic Studies (LEMOS), a platform that makes real-time optogenetic feedback control more accessible.
A study from Institute of Science Tokyo reveals how histone variants direct DNA methylation to jumping genes, preventing accidental gene silencing in plants. This molecular framework enables plant cells to distinguish transposons from genes, ensuring precise epigenetic regulation across the genome.
Researchers create engineered extracellular vesicles from red blood cell lipids, evading immune cells and targeting cancer cells. The technology offers flexibility in cargo loading and packaging, enabling delivery of genetic material, proteins, and whole viruses.
WPI researchers develop new models to study uterine fibroids with NIH funding, building on student projects. The models will help researchers better understand and develop treatments for fibroids, which affect millions of women.
Researchers at Dongguk University have developed an innovative gene switch that uses electromagnetic fields to control gene expression. The switch, which targets the Lgr4 gene, demonstrates precise activation with no detectable adverse effects, making it a promising platform for non-invasive gene therapies.
Researchers at MIT have created a new microscope that can image electrical activity in neurons distributed across the brain, revealing patterns of neural activity from milliseconds. The technique enabled observation of single voltage spikes and rapid bursts of spikes, shedding light on how the brain is activated following a stimulus.
Researchers are investigating whether beneficial bacteria can prevent the body from absorbing lead. The study aims to determine if probiotic supplements containing harmless bacteria can produce aptamers that trap lead for excretion, providing a potential solution for people in high-risk environments, especially children.
Researchers have developed a new hydrogel made from peptides that can transport ions, generate electrical signals when squeezed, or interact with cells and biological molecules. The gel has tiny water channels and is electrically polarized due to its highly organized structure made from nanofibers.
Researchers at CU Anschutz and CU Boulder developed a miniature microscope that allows observing and activating individual brain cells during natural movement. This advancement could accelerate research into brain behavior and neurological diseases.
Engineers have created a bacterium that can consume all three major sugars present in corn stalks, opening up possibilities for more efficient biomanufacturing processes. The new strain of Pseudomonas putida was developed using an automated culturing platform and can potentially be used to produce valuable molecules like indigoidine.
Researchers have developed a biohybrid system that uses photosynthetic microorganisms entrapped in nanocellulose films to produce ethylene. The system remains productive for over four months with minimal water and energy requirements, making it a promising technology for sustainable chemical production.
The Cancer Dependency Map now includes nearly 150 3D cancer models, expanding its resource to include organoids and spheroids across 10 cancer types. These next-generation models reveal new genetic dependencies and disease-driving mechanisms, particularly in brain and gastrointestinal cancers.
A cross-disciplinary team developed a near-infrared fluorescent dye, SID-788, with excellent biocompatibility and superior ureter imaging performance. The dye enables clear ureter visualisation for at least four to five hours in porcine models using clinical NIR laparoscopes and robotic surgical systems.
Lehigh University researchers develop comprehensive mathematical model of the neural circuitry linking the gut and brain to regulate stomach function, opening new pathways for treating chronic digestive disorders through targeted vagus nerve stimulation. The digital twin could help accelerate therapy development and improve quality of ...
Researchers explore how engineered lanthanide carriers can tune the optical and magnetic properties of ions for improved signal contrast and reduced background signals in biomedical imaging. The study highlights opportunities for multimodal imaging, theranostics, and AI-guided probe design.
Researchers have developed a way to quickly create customizable synthetic blood vessel grafts in just minutes using additive manufacturing. The new technique, called Focused Rotary Jet Spinning, allows for precise control over diameter and wall thickness, making it ideal for acute trauma situations and complex pediatric heart surgeries.
A new liquid-based platform called 'floatony' can form and maintain complex three-dimensional microbial structures while preserving molecular diffusion, spatial structures, and cell mobility. This approach could offer new ways to study gut microbiota, biofilms, and other spatially organized microbial communities.
Researchers developed a new cell-based approach to produce several sugars naturally found in human breastmilk, including complex oligosaccharides. The method involves engineering cultured mammalian cells to express essential enzymes, allowing for the production of structurally diverse HMOs with potential applications in infant nutrition.
The University of Tennessee has received a $20 million NSF grant to establish ATHENA, a national network of AI-powered laboratories for accelerating scientific discovery. The initiative aims to revolutionize materials discovery by accelerating design, synthesis, characterization and autonomous optimization of advanced materials.
Researchers at Science Tokyo develop a Ramsey-based magnetometer that overcomes thermal limitations, enabling close-proximity detection of weak biomagnetic signals. The sensor achieves high sensitivity and safe operation near biological tissue.
JMIR Publications is sponsoring the upcoming BioMedEng26 conference to promote biomedical engineering innovation. The journal JMIR Biomedical Engineering will be highlighted during the event, with Dr. Javad Sarvestan discussing its focus on cutting-edge engineering applications and peer-review process.
Researchers developed an AI platform, PeptiVerse, to predict key properties of peptides, enabling early assessment of drug potential. The open-source platform allows users to evaluate ordinary and chemically modified peptides, streamlining the discovery process.
Researchers analyzed 49 journal articles on bacterial cellulose-derived carbon electrodes for supercapacitors, finding that preservation of the nanofiber network and mechanical properties are crucial for performance. The study highlights BCC's potential to outperform commercial activated carbon under comparable conditions.
Researchers expand potential of using bacterial spores for chemical reactions, biofuel production, and pollutant breakdown. New proteins fused to spore coat enable storage under extreme conditions without refrigeration.