Articles tagged with Bioengineering
Researchers have uncovered how soybean varieties respond to different types of nematode infections, revealing new insights into plant defense mechanisms. The study found that resistant plants activate genes involved in immune responses, while susceptible plants fail to do so, making them vulnerable to attack.
Four Case School of Engineering faculty members, A. Bolu Ajiboye, Christine Duval, Burcu Gurkan, and Steve Majerus, received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers from the US government. The award recognizes their exceptional talent, dedication, and impact in their respective research fields.
Zebrafish have pineal gland photoreceptors that detect color using parapinopsin 1 (PP1) protein. Two genes, Sagb and Arr3a, play a crucial role in the inactivation of PP1 based on light intensity, with Sagb taking over at higher intensities.
Lehigh University bioengineering researcher Tomas Gonzalez-Fernandez is exploring how combining CRISPR with biomaterials can improve gene editing's safety and efficacy for therapeutic use. His NSF CAREER award-funded research aims to develop more targeted and controlled therapies for genetic diseases.
Professor Yu Xinge, a leading digital health expert, has been awarded the 3rd Zhong Nanshan Youth Science and Technology Innovation Award for his groundbreaking research on bio-integrated electronics. His wearable products aim to monitor health conditions and improve treatment efficiency and accuracy.
The study reveals that directional connections propagate signals in a downstream flow, leading to more complex activity patterns. Mathematical models also suggest that modularity and connectivity interact to foster dynamical complexity.
Researchers at Princeton University discovered that certain bacteria can reduce a plant's immune activity, allowing its roots to grow longer. The study identified an enzyme produced by one of these bacteria as the key factor in this process, which could have implications for understanding microbiome interactions with host immune systems.
MIT researchers developed a biosensing technique that eliminates the need for wires, using tiny wireless antennas with light detection to measure electrical signals from cells. The devices can capture scattered light with an optical microscope and measure signals with micrometer spatial resolution.
Researchers created skin-like replicas using Ecoflex, a type of silicone rubber, to evaluate risks of bacterial infections from intravenous catheters. The study found that the replicas could replicate human skin roughness and elasticity, showing promise for implementing infection control measures.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed lab-grown neurons that form complex networks resembling animal nervous systems. These networks exhibit diverse neuronal ensembles and can be reconfigured through repetitive stimulation, mimicking neural plasticity.
Silvia Blemker, a University of Virginia biomedical engineer, has been elected Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) for her work on muscle health. Her patented technology, Image-based Identification of Muscle Abnormalities, uses advanced imaging and analytics to provide detailed insights into muscle health.
The InteReg project aims to create interactive biomaterials that instruct cells to regenerate after brain or spinal cord injuries, potentially treating MS and other neurological disorders. The project, funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation, brings together experts in biology, chemistry, medicine, and polymer research.
A study by Politecnico di Milano reveals districts most at risk of cardiovascular emergencies during heat waves in Milan. The research found that 23% of the city's population in 18 vulnerable districts face a 22% increased risk, while 20 low-vulnerability districts show no significant increase.
The US Department of Defense has awarded East Tennessee State University's Research Corporation over $900,000 to create a biomanufacturing facility that turns waste streams into valuable products. The project aims to bolster domestic bioindustrial manufacturing and advance sustainable manufacturing goals in Northeast Tennessee.
Scientists at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology have successfully created luminous wood by combining fungal threads with hardwood. The process involves a two-stage enzymatic reaction that stimulates the production of luciferin, emitting green light from the treated wood.
The event brings together leading minds in engineering, oncology, and global health to foster collaboration and recognize achievements within CITEC's community. Groundbreaking research and novel point-of-care solutions aimed at transforming cancer detection and treatment worldwide were showcased during the gathering.
Researchers have developed a new method for designing large artificial proteins with high accuracy, utilizing AI-based software Alphafold2. The approach combines accurate structure prediction with optimization techniques, allowing for the creation of proteins with tailored properties, such as precise binding and stability.
A global team, including Lehigh University researcher Xuanhong Cheng, is exploring molecular- and cellular-level changes in muscle tissue that could lead to better diagnostic tools and therapeutic options for CFS and long COVID. The team aims to develop noninvasive diagnostic tools using electrical signatures.
A $6 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine is driving research into a new treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in older adults. The therapy aims to halt or reverse disease progression using stem cell-derived healthy retinal pigment epithelium cells.
Researchers at Kyushu University develop a novel technique for building complex 3D microfluidic networks using plant roots and fungal hyphae in silica nanoparticles. This bio-inspired method enables the creation of intricate biological structures, opening new opportunities for research in plant and fungal biology.
Dr. Parag Chitnis at George Mason University leads a multi-disciplinary team researching wearable ultrasound systems for tendon injury prevention and joint assessment.
Researchers created tiny lab-grown models of human immune systems to study immune function in cancer and predict disease treatment response. The miniature models support longer cell function, allowing processes like antibody formation to occur similar to the human body.
Researchers found that facemask connections affect helmet performance, leading to increased impact forces. The team developed a novel testing method to measure facemask strength without destruction.
A new study by MIT engineers reveals that exercise can stimulate nerve growth, with neurons growing four times farther in the presence of myokines released during muscle contractions. Physical effects of exercise, such as repeated stretching and pulling, also promote nerve growth, challenging previous biochemical-only theories.
Scientists have designed bioluminescent proteins that can produce multiple colors of light for real-time imaging in cellular and animal models. These proteins are small, efficient, highly stable and can be used for non-invasive bioimaging, diagnostics, drug discovery and more.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have discovered a combination of green algae and yeast that enhances wastewater treatment efficiency. The mixture boosts the growth environment, uptake of ammonium and phosphate ions, making it an effective solution for wastewater treatment facilities.
MIT researchers developed a theoretical foundation for methods to aggregate genes into related groups, enabling the efficient learning of underlying cause-and-effect relationships. They achieve this using only observational data, potentially paving the way for targeted treatments.
Researchers from the IBB-UAB have developed novel nanoparticles capable of trapping and neutralizing large quantities of SARS-CoV2 virus particles. These nanostructures could be used to manufacture antiviral materials such as wastewater and air filters, and develop new tests for early Covid-19 detection.
A team of researchers, including Binghamton University's Ahyeon Koh, is working on an innovative project to treat inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. The goal is to create a 'cell factory' in the body that can produce pharmaceuticals to alleviate symptoms.
A team of biomedical engineers from the University of Melbourne has developed a groundbreaking 3D printing system that can fabricate complex human tissues in just seconds. This technology significantly improves the potential to predict and develop new pharmaceutical therapies, reducing the need for animal testing.
University of Texas at Dallas researchers have designed a 3D-printed femur that can help doctors prepare for surgeries and develop treatments for bone tumors. The bone replica is made of polylactic acid, a bio-based polymer, and performed as well as a human femur in biomechanical tests.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have developed a miniature, soft lithium-ion battery with features like high capacity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. The battery was used to power small devices in animal models and demonstrated promising results for wireless and biodegradable devices in clinical medicine.
Researchers demonstrate the first cross-chiral exponential amplification of an RNA enzyme, potentially leading to the development of cross-chiral therapeutics and biotechnologies. The discovery suggests that a bioengineer can create a new form of biochemical evolution by using both left- and right-handed molecules.
The Center for Genomic Diagnostics at the University of Illinois will develop sensitive and rapid biosensors to detect African swine fever virus. The grant aims to improve on-farm detection and surveillance, providing timely control measures.
Researchers have discovered a protein shell in diatoms that enables efficient CO2 fixation, with implications for bioengineering approaches to combat climate change. The discovery reveals how diatoms convert CO2 into nutrients through photosynthesis, with potential applications for improving carbon capture from the atmosphere.
A groundbreaking study has demonstrated the clinical success of a new nanoparticle-based, laser-guided therapy for prostate cancer treatment. The therapy successfully eliminated cancerous cells in 73% of patients after 12 months while preserving key functions and side effects.
Studies show that the cerebellum is critical for forming stable memories for sensorimotor skills, largely independent of short-term memory systems. Researchers found that longer time intervals between trials increased reliance on impaired long-term memory.
Researchers at UC San Diego developed a fluorescent biosensor to observe PKC activity in real time and 3D space. The study revealed designated signaling territories where different types of PKC are active, shedding light on their critical role in human disease.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new expansion technique to image nanoscale structures inside cells using conventional light microscopes. The method, which expands tissue 20-fold in a single step, allows for high-resolution imaging of organelles and protein clusters.
Researchers developed an octopus-inspired adhesive with elastic, curved stalk and membrane that adheres to multiple surfaces in wet environments. The adhesive demonstrated strong attachment to complex objects and could be rapidly attached and released.
Researchers at Lehigh University are developing predictive models for gene editing with CRISPR to improve outcomes and expand medical applications. The team is using AI and advanced computer models to simulate the effects of altering a single gene on the entire genome, enabling them to predict and avoid unintended consequences.
Researchers have made breakthroughs in creating nanoparticles that can modify the immune system to accept transplanted organs without compromising it. This new approach has potential implications for treating diabetes, cell therapy, and autoimmune disorders, offering hope for patients who currently face rejection.
A Carnegie Mellon University-led team is developing a bioelectronic implant called ROGUE that can produce a year's supply of treatment for chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes and obesity. The device will offer continuous, adjustable therapy deployment via a minimally invasive procedure.
A Carnegie Mellon-led team has secured a $42 million grant to develop implantable, cell-based bioelectronic devices for real-time therapy and disease monitoring in patients with thyroid disorders. The devices will offer adjustable, low-cost treatment and continuous biomarker measurement.
Researchers developed a method to reconstruct hyperspectral images from standard RGB images using deep machine learning. The technique achieved over 70% accuracy in predicting soluble solid content and 88% accuracy in dry matter content in sweet potatoes, with potential applications for the agricultural industry.
Researchers at MIT found that a two-dose schedule for an HIV vaccine can generate a strong response to the virus, outperforming a traditional seven-dose regimen. The first dose primes the immune system, helping it to produce antibodies more effectively when a larger dose is administered one week later.
A new knee exoskeleton has been developed to support the quadriceps muscles during lifting tasks, helping workers maintain better posture even when fatigued. The device, which uses a complex algorithm to predict assistance needs, enabled participants to lift faster and with improved posture.
Researchers developed a synthetic mucin gel inspired by cow slime to create a protective barrier around discs, preventing immune system attacks. This innovative approach may improve patient outcomes and reduce long-term complications after disc herniation surgery.
Researchers developed a label-free biological sensing method that can detect substances at the zeptomolar level, significantly improving drug testing and research capabilities. This advancement has the potential to lead to portable sensors for environmental toxins, food quality monitoring, and cancer screening.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed an innovative smartphone application that can measure pulse pressure, a critical metric for detecting hypertension. The app uses motion-sensing accelerometers and front cameras to calculate pulse pressure, which is closely correlated with hypertension, according to the study.
Researchers at Rice University have created a roadmap showing how proteins interact to form the nanometer-thin shell of gas vesicles. This breakthrough enables the development of medically useful GV varieties in the lab, which can be used for diagnostics and therapeutics.
Researchers at FAU aim to identify signatures of natural selection in the human genome, understanding its role in adaptation and disease. The $1.8 million NIH grant will develop powerful tools for complex modes of adaptation from genetic data.
The University of Kentucky has been awarded a six-year, $18 million NSF grant to establish the NSF ESCAPE center for assessing pathogen emergence. The center will focus on environmental surveillance using social science, engineering, bioinformatics, and risk modeling to predict and prevent pandemics.
Researchers at University of California San Diego have identified a novel mechanism of cardiac inflammation that may prevent heart failure after a heart attack. The borderzone, surrounding the infarcted area, is found to be a key region for this inflammation, with heart muscle cells playing a dominant role in initiating it.
A new implant has been developed to encourage nerve cell repair after spinal cord injury. The implant uses electrical signals and a 3D-printed scaffold to bridge the gap and direct axons to grow back in the correct formation, promoting healing and recovery.
Researchers have developed a novel, more selective inhibitor of the human immunoproteasome using a bacterially derived natural product. The new compound targets autoimmune diseases without disrupting other cellular mechanisms.
Researchers engineered bacteria-yeast hybrids to perform photosynthetic carbon assimilation, generating cellular energy without traditional carbon feedstocks. The hybrids can produce important hydrocarbons, paving new biotechnical pathways to non-petroleum-based energy and synthetic biology applications.
The WVU team, led by Yu Gu, is testing Loopy's ability to 'co-design' itself and learn to mark contaminated areas. Inspired by natural phenomena like ant swarms and tree roots, Loopy changes form in response to its environment.
A team of researchers from Columbia University and Harvard University report that autoantibodies alone directly affect heart function in lupus patients. The study identified four autoantibodies that may directly affect the heart muscle, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies.
The Illinois researchers developed a new index called the Circularity Index (CI), which measures circularity on a scale from 0 to 1. It includes eight categories: take, make, distribute, use, dispose, recover, remake, and reuse. The CI can be used to evaluate strategies and impacts in bioeconomic systems.