Articles tagged with Bioengineering
Researchers at MIT have developed a new approach to gene editing that reduces errors by up to 90%, making it a safer alternative for treating genetic diseases. The technique uses modified versions of the Cas9 enzyme to target specific DNA sequences, reducing off-target effects and increasing precision.
The team will study neurons within a brain organoid, a millimeter-sized, three-dimensional structure grown in the lab from adult stem cells, to design smarter and more sustainable artificial intelligence. They aim to replicate complex computations that occur in the human brain to improve AI efficiency.
A new review in Microbial Biotechnology highlights microbes as allies in various industries, from food fermentation to biofuels. Films such as French Kiss and The Martian showcase microbes as positive forces, challenging the traditional villain stereotype.
Scientists have achieved a major breakthrough by 3D bioprinting miniature placentas, which can accurately replicate the human placenta. This technology has the potential to transform pregnancy research by allowing for the study of serious complications like preeclampsia.
Researchers at UC Davis develop new technologies for plant-based biomanufacturing, addressing resource constraints and sustainability. The project aims to create a powerful technology for producing biomolecules and materials, focusing on low-cost infrastructure, novel bioproduction platforms and efficient processing.
Researchers from Korea University mapped the evolutionary trajectory of meningiomas at single-cell resolution, revealing profound shifts in proliferative programs and tumor–immune interactions. The study identified COL6A3 as a central player driving recurrence and treatment resistance.
Researchers at NUS have developed a bioengineering approach to keep human lymph node tissue alive and functioning outside the body for several days. The method involves embedding thin slices of lymph node tissue in a soft gel that mimics the body's natural environment, allowing for detailed studies of immune cell behavior.
Researchers create peptide hydrogel that controls drug release, improving treatment adherence and efficacy for conditions like tuberculosis and diabetes. The SABER platform uses reversible chemical bonds to slow down drug release, offering a promising solution for precise delivery.
Graz researchers investigate homocysteine's impact on the aorta, finding elevated levels lead to stiffer and less elastic vessels. This discovery contributes to understanding of cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis.
A new hydrogel has been developed to combat vaginal changes caused by menopause, offering a hormone-free alternative for treatment. The study found that the hydrogel improved vaginal tissue thickness and reduced inflammation, providing potential relief from symptoms such as dryness and pain.
Engineered cell lines are prone to misidentification, threatening scientific discoveries and intellectual property. Researchers at UT Dallas have developed a novel method to embed unique genetic identifiers, eliminating identification errors and safeguarding innovations with tamper-proof genomic tags.
Researchers at UMC Utrecht developed a new AI-powered printer called GRACE that can print implantable tissues with improved cell survival and functionality. The printer uses computer vision and laser-based imaging to design and print complex structures, including blood vessels and cartilage layers.
Scientists developed hollow microspheres with adjustable pore size, adhesion, and lubricity properties using mucus and polydopamine. These spheres can be used as drug delivery agents and may prevent tissue damage or provide a protective coating.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that adding an electrical jolt to fermentation increases the yield and speed of platform chemicals from industrial food waste. Combining two bacterial species also enhances targeted chemical production and produces hydrogen gas as a byproduct, reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at Harvard SEAS have developed a gentler, more sustainable way to break down keratins and turn leftover wool and feathers into useful products. The process uses concentrated lithium bromide to create an environment favorable for spontaneous protein unfolding.
Scientists have developed a new computational method to build the first 4D lipid map of a vertebrate embryo, capturing how lipid distributions change over time. The atlas reveals organized patterns of lipids that match anatomical structures, suggesting key roles in shaping organ function and identity.
The system uses magnetoelectric power-transfer technology to deliver precise electrical stimulation to organs like the heart and spinal cord. The more devices in the network, the more efficient it is, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional implantable medical devices. This technology has potential for treating conditions s...
Researchers developed novel sweat sensors that mimic the microtexture of rose petals, enhancing stability, performance, and comfort. The sensors demonstrate a self-cleaning effect, reducing skin irritation and improving user comfort, making them suitable for wearable devices like smartwatches.
A team of researchers has developed a new method to produce sturdy and reusable bioplastics from domestic raw materials, reducing reliance on petroleum-based chemicals. The bioplastics, known as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), have similar levels of toughness and malleability to traditional plastics, but are infinitely recyclable.
Researchers from Seoul National University of Science & Technology developed a smart adhesive system based on starfish for temporary and switchable underwater adhesion. The system exhibits high adhesion hysteresis, automatic release based on outside stimuli, and quick detachment by pneumatic actuation.
Researchers at Lehigh University and the Cleveland Clinic are developing a nonsurgical therapy for pelvic organ prolapse using drug-delivering nanoparticles. The treatment aims to delay or reverse matrix degradation, reducing the severity of POP in patients with earlier stages of the disorder.
Researchers from Japan and USA discover midline tissues use formation control to grow harmoniously, with the notochord leading elongation and adjacent tissues migrating together through fibroblast growth factor gradients and cell adhesion. Computer simulations confirm this mechanism is essential for synchronized tissue development.
Angel Martí, David Sarlah, and Haotian Wang have been honored with national American Chemical Society awards for their outstanding work in chemistry. The ACS awards recognize individuals who not only advance the field but also inspire students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in chemical sciences.
Researchers have developed a data-driven way to fit prosthetic legs that could lead to better fitting prosthetics in less time and at a lower cost. The new technology generates basic design recommendations instantly and has been shown to be as comfortable on average as those created by highly skilled prosthetists.
A wearable robot has been upgraded to provide personalized assistance to ALS and stroke patients. The device uses machine learning and a physics-based model to adapt to an individual user's movements, offering more nuanced help with daily tasks.
Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss, with over 7.7 million people globally affected in 2020. The new microstent reduces excessive fluid buildup and intraocular pressure, supporting the eye's natural space and improving treatment efficacy. Its durable nickel-titanium alloy enables long-term safety and functionality.
Researchers have created a wearable system that combines drug delivery, electrical stimulation, and continuous monitoring to treat diabetic foot ulcers. The microneedle platform anchors securely into the skin and adjusts therapy in real-time to prevent severe tissue damage.
A new study demonstrates the potential to produce cellular spheroids from clinically relevant embryonic stem cells to generate scaffold-free chondrogenic or osteochondrogenic graft tissues. The researchers successfully cultured ES-MSC cellular spheroids, which matured into neocartilage tissues expressing cartilage-associated genes.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a controlled evolution technique that dramatically increases plasmid DNA (pDNA) production in E. coli bacteria. This breakthrough could significantly reduce the cost of gene therapies and expedite research, making pDNA resources more accessible.
The book provides a roadmap for sustainable and ethical leadership in engineering management, focusing on ESG reporting, CSR integration, and industry-specific insights. It offers practical tools and strategies for professionals to make informed decisions that reduce ecological impact and improve resource efficiency.
Newly developed DNA nanostructures form flexible, fluid, and stimuli-responsive condensates without chemical cross-linking. These findings pave the way for adaptive soft materials with potential applications in drug delivery, artificial organelles, and bioengineering platforms.
A team of researchers found that co-cultivating common bean plants with fragrant bush basil increases the expression of a key gene in plant defense mechanisms, reducing egg-laying activity of agricultural pests. This natural pest control method uses VOCs emitted by bush basil to attract beneficial insects and trigger plant defenses.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin develop a method to harness structural colour using microfabrication technique, enabling ultra-sensitive materials for environmental sensing and biomedical diagnostics. The breakthrough also paves the way for next-generation medical sensors that can track biochemical changes in real-time.
The journal is seeking high-quality submissions that explore the potential of voice and speech analysis in diverse medical applications. Submissions focus on acoustic and voice analysis techniques, voice or vocal phenotyping, and vocal biomarkers in health and medicine.
A new silicone patch with star-shaped microneedles, called the ExoPatch, distinguishes melanoma from healthy skin in mice, capturing cancer biomarkers from exosomes. The test shows promise for early detection of the most aggressive form of skin cancer without a biopsy or blood draw.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new type of bioplastic, called LEAFF, which is strong, biodegradable, and printable. This innovation uses cellulose nanofibers to address the limitations of current bioplastics and has potential applications for sustainable packaging.
A new AI model called RiboNN predicts translation efficiency of mRNA sequences, accelerating the development of mRNA therapeutics. The tool helps predict how much protein cells will produce, minimizing trial-and-error experimentation.
A study published in Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials found that wrinkled skin is caused by its tendency to buckle under pressure due to age-related changes in its mechanical properties. As people age, their skin becomes more prone to wrinkles as it stretches and contracts in different directions.
Recent advances in biofabrication and biomedical electronics have led to the development of biohybrid-engineered tissue (BHET) platforms, turning passive constructs into intelligent systems. These platforms show promise in diverse applications, including brain organoids and cardiac tissues, blurring the line between biology and machine.
A team led by University of Houston engineer Tianfu Wu aims to find better biomarkers for ovarian cancer using autoantibodies and machine learning. By detecting ovarian cancer earlier, mortality rates could be reduced by 10-30%.
A new approach by MIT researchers allows scientists to efficiently estimate how combinations of treatments will affect a group, enabling fewer costly experiments while gathering more accurate data. The framework considers the scenario where all treatments are assigned in parallel and controls the outcome by adjusting treatment rates.
Researchers at Kyoto University have created a microphysiological system capable of simulating different regions of human lungs, including the airway and alveoli. This breakthrough enables accurate modeling of viral pathologies and holds promise for personalized treatment of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19.
A team at Binghamton University has developed a process to convert food waste into biodegradable plastic, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and offering a sustainable alternative. The process utilizes bacteria to synthesize polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) plastic, which can be harvested and shaped into various products.
Researchers at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences have developed a 3-D printed implant that delivers electrical stimulation to injured areas of the spinal cord, enhancing nerve cell growth. The study has shown promising results in lab experiments and may enable new medical devices for traumatic spinal cord injuries.
A novel, needle-type biosensor allows for real-time monitoring of sucrose uptake in plants, revealing light-dependent stomatal uptake and daily rhythms. The sensor's high sensitivity and stability enable the detection of subtle physiological events, shedding new light on plant biology.
In a small clinical study, users of this prosthesis navigated more easily and said the limb felt more like part of their body. The new system is directly integrated with the user’s muscle and bone tissue, enabling greater stability and control.
Researchers discovered a unique nanostructure in blue shark skin that produces their iconic blue coloration, which also suggests a potential capacity for color change. Tiny changes in guanine crystal spacing can alter the shark's body color to suit its environment.
The Buck Institute is pioneering a cloud-based platform to simulate the dynamic behavior of microbial cells, overcoming current whole-cell models' limitations. The SIMBA project aims to advance our understanding of bacterial behavior and address critical challenges in biomanufacturing and national security.
Researchers developed a controlled 'living' click polymerization system to achieve well-defined polymers with narrow dispersity, enabling bidirectional synthesis of ABA-type block copolymers. The method leverages copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition and initiators to selectively drive monomer addition in a controlled manner.
A research team led by Professor Joongoo Lee successfully expanded ribosome range to produce ring-shaped backbones in proteins. This breakthrough could open doors to novel therapeutics and advanced biomaterials.
Chihtong Lee's research on retractor blade geometry explores how small design changes can improve patient recovery after spinal surgery. Her work, conducted in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine, showed that blades with soft, biocompatible coatings significantly reduced tissue stress and postoperative complications.
Researchers have developed novel three-dimensional liver organoids using bile acids, which retain hepatocyte-like features and can be sustained in long-term cultures. These organoids demonstrate a unique gene expression profile similar to fetal hepatocytes and support replication of hepatitis viruses.
Researchers developed an AI-informed method for rapid protein evolution, integrating structural and evolutionary constraints. The approach, AiCE, outperforms traditional methods in predicting high-fitness mutations, enabling efficient protein redesign and applications in precision medicine.
A new computational method combines 4D flow MRI, CFD, and data assimilation to estimate blood flow in brain aneurysms with greater accuracy and efficiency. The approach focuses on the aneurysm region, reducing computational cost while improving flow estimation.
Researchers at the University of Sydney developed a biological 'artificial intelligence' system called PROTEUS, which can accelerate cycles of evolution and natural selection to create molecules with new functions in weeks. The system has potential applications in finding new medicines and improving gene editing technology like CRISPR.
Scientists have developed a new tool named scICE to tackle the stability problem in single-cell RNA sequencing data. The tool provides a way to validate clustering outcomes mathematically, ensuring higher confidence in conclusions drawn from single-cell data.
A new hydrogel-based platform has been developed to preserve live patient-derived tumor tissues in the lab, enabling more accurate testing of cancer treatments. The approach, which uses customizable bioengineered hydrogels, has been shown to retain key features of the original tumor environment.
Researchers from Pusan National University have developed engineered bacterial vesicles that use a novel surface-displaying protein to selectively target and eliminate E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. These vesicles, derived from lactic acid bacteria, offer a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics.
Researchers at Iowa State University developed a new internal barrel design for the 'gene gun' technology, improving its efficiency by up to 50 times. The Flow Guiding Barrel reduces particle loss and uneven distribution, enabling more consistent and reliable genetic material delivery into plant cells.
Researchers developed a miniature 'leukemia-on-a-chip' device that recreates human bone marrow and immune system to predict cancer immunotherapy success. The device enables real-time observation of how immunotherapy drugs interact with cancer cells in an environment closely mimicking the human body.