Articles tagged with Biotechnology
Recent studies have challenged the classical view of immune checkpoints as local suppressive molecules only active in tumor immunity. Instead, ICs participate in systemic immune homeostasis and are embedded in broader inflammatory and metabolic networks.
Bacteriophages, viruses that naturally infect bacteria, can be engineered into rapid and highly specific biosensors for clinical diagnosis, food safety, and environmental monitoring. These phage-based systems offer a compelling alternative to conventional methods, which often involve tradeoffs between speed, sensitivity, and cost.
Researchers have developed a new anticancer immunotherapy technology that selectively eliminates key substances released by cancer cells and boosts the patient's immune response. This 'nanoswitch' technology uses laser therapy to reactivate beneficial extracellular vesicles that induce anticancer immunity.
Researchers from BST and IGTP are developing therapies based on extracellular vesicles, which can perform tissue regeneration and modulate inflammation. These nanoparticles could revolutionize medicine by delivering medicines directly to damaged tissues.
A new study explores an FMQA-based optimization framework for RNA design, revealing that encoding matters in achieving optimal results. The approach identifies high-quality RNA sequence candidates with relatively few evaluations, outperforming competing methods.
The ORIGIN project aims to reduce development timelines for sustainable, fermentation-based ingredients from 5-7 years to 2-3 years. By combining AI, biotechnology, and fermentation, the project will address scientific and technological challenges to produce high-value natural ingredients.
A new study suggests that pairing iron and manganese modified biochar with carefully chosen irrigation strategies can reduce cadmium and mercury buildup in rice. FMBC helped stabilize both metals while reshaping microbial processes to control methylmercury formation.
Recent studies have expanded our understanding of immune checkpoint functions, revealing their involvement in systemic immune homeostasis and broader inflammatory networks. Aberrant IC regulation has been linked to various conditions, including infections, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic inflammation.
A team of researchers has successfully created an artificial protein motor that can perform tasks such as cell division and muscle movement with high efficiency and precision. The breakthrough, published in Nature Nanotechnology, demonstrates the feasibility of designing dynamic proteins capable of performing movements.
Researchers have developed a microfluidic platform that recreates the complex ecosystem surrounding pancreatic tumors and observed how cells interact dynamically. The findings reveal a critical mechanism that may explain why many therapies fail and point to new therapeutic strategies.
A new gene circuit technology has enabled cells to autonomously generate programmed responses, processing multiple molecular signals at once. The RATEX platform allows cells to compute and respond to various types of molecular information.
BetaDescribe, an AI system, converts protein sequences into detailed textual descriptions of their functions and characteristics. The technology helps bridge the gap between characterized and existing proteins in nature, enabling researchers to rapidly generate evidence-based hypotheses regarding unknown proteins.
Researchers have successfully produced genome-edited T cells that can target and destroy cancer cells using the Platinum TALEN genetic engineering technique. The technique was found to be efficient, with an average yield of 72 million 1G4-TCR cells for every 3 million T-cells.
Researchers have discovered that advanced brain interfacing technology used for both touch and vision prostheses is almost identical, despite being developed separately. This breakthrough could lead to faster restoration of lost senses, including sight and motor function, with a unified technology that benefits both patient groups.
New research reveals that asthma attacks cause overproduction of extracellular proteins and growth of blood vessels in the airways. Over time, these changes lead to constriction of breathing passages, resulting in long-term respiratory issues.
Researchers at ISTA have developed a way to guide AlphaFold with experimental data, enabling the model to better reflect physical and biological reality. This approach aims to improve future predictive models by accounting for structural heterogeneity and dynamism in proteins.
Researchers developed a pH-triggered nanocomposite that synchronizes the release of therapeutic agents, combating bacterial biofilms and oxidative stress. The platform accelerates healing and promotes tissue repair in infected wounds.
A POSTECH research team has created an automated, modular system for assembling reconstituted cell-free systems, significantly reducing costs by 95% and preparation time to 2 days. This innovation enables the customization of individual components, paving the way for improved biologically engineered high-value therapeutics.
The project aims to systematically map how individual pairs of cells influence each other, with the goal of understanding cell-cell communication in health and disease. By characterizing the cellular dyad, scientists can determine which cell influenced which partner, when the interaction began and what changed as a result.
Luis Márquez, a renowned expert in applied plant biology and biotechnology, will lead the UMass Amherst Cranberry Station. He aims to increase cranberry quality and health benefits, leveraging its medicinal food potential.
Researchers developed an injectable hydrogel combining silk proteins and a kudzu plant compound, achieving complete wound closure within 72 hours. The material's mechanical stability and cell viability exceeded expectations.
Old Dominion University has launched a National Security Institute to accelerate research and technology solutions for pressing national security challenges. The institute will bring together researchers' strengths in AI, autonomy, and coastal systems to deliver innovative solutions.
A new study has analyzed over 2100 samples to build a genetic dataset containing more than 500 million unique genes, revealing the immense potential of deep-sea biodiversity for developing new technologies. The research found that despite vast genetic diversity, deep-sea organisms rely on stable, core designs to survive extreme conditi...
Researchers uncover how a previously uncharacterized transporter protein controls magnesium transport in rice, leading to improved grain development, nutritional quality, and cooked texture. The study reveals that magnesium transport is closely linked to crop productivity and sensory traits.
Researchers summarize recent developments in terahertz biophotonics, highlighting its potential for overcoming technical limitations in fields like skin cancer diagnosis, wound assessment, and drug discovery. The study provides a roadmap for future research to improve the field's practical applications.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science engineered CYP107J1 enzyme from Bacillus subtilis into a more practical tool for selective oxidation chemistry. The modified enzyme showed 28-fold higher catalytic activity and successfully converted indole into indigo, a commercially important blue dye.
The partnership aims to consolidate and expand scientific partnerships in strategic areas, with a focus on artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and energy transition. FAPESP and UKRI will co-chair the Transatlantic Platform and explore joint research centers to advance this exceptional partnership.
The center will develop new phage-based treatments for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, predicting which phage to use for which patient and designing more effective phages. The goal is to generate unprecedented data and train AI models to identify the right phage for any patient's infection.
A new five-year field study suggests that pairing annual biochar amendment with water-saving irrigation can reduce methane emissions from paddy fields. Continuous biochar use maintained and strengthened methane mitigation over time, while a one-time application's effect weakened.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a suite of low-cost, portable biotechnology tools to improve access to laboratory research and diagnostics in resource-limited settings. The decentralized biomanufacturing systems enable local production of high-value biological materials, reducing reliance on fragile internationa...
A new study found that pairing biochar with beneficial Bacillus bacteria can improve phosphorus availability in soil, reshape the root-zone microbial community, and strengthen root architecture. This leads to increased fruit-cluster branching and a 23.53% increase in cherry tomato yield.
A clinical trial is underway at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine to develop advanced neuroprosthetics for individuals with paralysis. The team is working on decoding cortical neural signals to control robotic assistive devices, enabling people with tetraplegia to eat and drink independently.
Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo genetically engineer cyanobacteria to produce sulfated polysaccharides, a sustainable route for manufacturing biomaterials. The study demonstrates the feasibility of engineering complex biosynthetic pathways in photosynthetic organisms.
The study reveals that PFESA exposure significantly increases antibiotic resistance gene proliferation by restructuring extracellular polymeric substances and triggering cellular stress responses. This enhances the persistence of resistant taxa in microbial communities, posing a risk to human health.
A study reveals that TREM2+ macrophages directly recognize candidalysin, a toxin secreted by Candida albicans, to initiate an immune response. This recognition leads to the activation of key immune cells and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, ultimately protecting against fungal infection.
Researchers at UW Medicine Institute for Protein Design and Skape Bio used AI methods to create on-demand molecules that can toggle GPCRs. The approach enables precise control of GPCR signaling in cells, offering new insights into bodily functions and potential medicines for diseases.
Odylia Therapeutics is advancing a gene therapy treatment for Usher Syndrome Type 1C (USH1C)-associated vision loss, a rare autosomal recessive disorder. The grant will support the development of an investigational USH1C gene therapy designed to restore or preserve vision.
Researchers found that increasing ADAR2 expression in osteosarcoma cells forces them to differentiate, slowing growth and invasive capacity. The treated cells began producing mineralized matrix, a hallmark of mature bone tissue. In mice, ADAR2-restored tumors were smaller and less invasive.
Recent advancements in animal models, organoid models, and bioengineered organoids have provided new tools for studying primary sclerosing cholangitis. These models replicate the effects of bile retention and inflammation, enabling studies of disease mechanisms, drug screening, and preclinical evaluation.
The University of Utah is launching a groundbreaking testbed, SMART, to accelerate the development of breakthrough technologies in rare earth elements. The initiative aims to strengthen domestic supply chains and address the nation's growing need for critical minerals.
Researchers develop automated plasma-bubble technology that intensifies cold plasma-liquid interaction to transform industrial wastewater into a reusable fertigation medium. The technology fixes vital bioavailable nitrogen in wastewater, reducing organic loads and suspended particles while increasing plant growth rates.
Osaka Metropolitan University researchers developed a light-driven method to rapidly collect microscopic targets, outperforming traditional techniques. The technique concentrates bacteria between 1000-10,000 times faster than existing approaches, paving the way for early disease detection and analysis of nanoparticles.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new approach called MIDAS, which enables the creation and testing of proteins in just 24 hours. This eliminates the need for labor-intensive cloning processes, allowing for faster and more cost-effective evaluation of protein variants.
Research suggests that jellyfish bycatch can provide high-quality collagen without compromising quality. This circular bioeconomy solution offers new economic opportunities for small-scale fisheries while reducing waste. The collaboration with fishers revealed a willingness to participate in recycling jellyfish bycatch, but also highli...
Bionema Group Ltd, a Swansea University spin-out, has received the second King's Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development. The company develops biological pest control and sustainable agriculture technologies, providing environmentally sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides.
The partnership aims to establish a next-generation C1 biofoundry at DTU to convert CO2, CO, and methane into valuable products. This technology has the potential to reduce industrial emissions and enable circular, climate-positive solutions.
Ecotech aims to develop scalable solutions inspired by nature to tackle environmental challenges. The field combines biology, engineering, and earth sciences for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Researchers can now build and combine large DNA pieces, redesigning microbes as efficient cell factories for producing complex products like medicines and chemicals. This technology enables sustainable manufacturing, agriculture, and industrial biotechnology, and accelerates microbial cell factory development.
A new CRISPR protein, Cas12a2, has shown potential for killing sick cells while leaving healthy ones untouched. Researchers have tested its effectiveness in destroying cancer cells and virus-infected cells with promising results.
Volume 39 of SLAS Discovery highlights novel assays and AI-assisted workflows to accelerate personalized cancer immunotherapy. The journal aims to advance life sciences discovery through education, knowledge exchange, and global community building.
Researchers have developed a new method to build programmable artificial organelles inside living cells using RNA, enabling customization of cellular compartments and tunable properties. This approach may lead to specialized biological functions for nanomedicine and gene engineering.
Researchers from China have successfully demonstrated CRISPR/Cas genome editing in nonregenerative cotton via sexual hybridization, opening a novel technical avenue for genetic improvement. The approach eliminates toxicity in cottonseed protein, enabling valuable resource utilization and advanced biotechnologies.
Motif Neurotech has received FDA approval to begin the first clinical trial of its therapeutic BCI device, DOT, for treatment-resistant depression. The study will test the device's effectiveness in delivering electrical stimulation to brain circuits linked to depression.
Artificial platelets have been developed that remain stable and effective after a year at room temperature and two months at high temperatures. This technology could enable direct injection of synthetic platelets into bone marrow to treat life-threatening bleeding in remote areas or disaster zones.
A team of researchers at The University of Osaka has created a wireless EEG transmission system that can operate without external power sources. The system harnesses energy from the temperature difference between the human body and surrounding air, allowing it to function reliably even in hot summer conditions.
Researchers have developed a universal toolkit for editing bacterial DNA in 15 diverse species, including human pathogens and fast-growing biotechnology organisms. The technology uses retrons, an immune system that produces DNA, to efficiently modify genes, with varying success rates across different species.
Australian scientists have developed an injectable therapy called Snoretox-1 to help clear blocked airways in flat-faced dogs suffering from brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). The treatment shows early success in improving breathing difficulties in bulldogs.