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Terasaki Institute researcher Dr. Yangzhi Zhu advances tear bioelectronics with smart contact lens for serotonin monitoring

Researchers developed a soft, reusable smart contact lens that measures serotonin levels in tears, shedding light on stress-related physiological changes. The device, part of a broader tear bioelectronics platform, detects serotonin at low concentrations, enabling the tracking of small changes in stress levels.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 24, 2026

Chitosan hydrogel stabilizes red blood cell membrane interfaces for advanced environmental sensing

A new bio-based conductive hydrogel platform is presented to preserve biomembrane activity and enable sensitive detection of organophosphate pesticides. The developed biosensor demonstrated stable operation, retaining 85.8% of its original electrochemical response after seven days.

SourceJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·JournalJournal of Bioresources and Bioproducts·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 23, 2026

Terasaki Institute leads to develop a real-time biosensing platform for donor liver preservation

Researchers at Terasaki Institute develop a wireless dual-compartment biochemical monitoring platform for real-time tracking of key biomarkers in perfusion fluid and bile during normothermic machine perfusion. The study shows improved interpretation of post-transplant outcomes with combined bile and perfusate data.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 14, 2026

New cell imaging method shines a light on blind spots

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a new imaging method that allows scientists to see previously hidden enzyme activities in small regions across the whole cell. The technique, dubbed Fluctuation Increase Negated by Intra-Chain (FINICI), flips the optical readout of negative biosensors into positive, reada...

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 14, 2026

Bacteriophages could power a new generation of intelligent pathogen sensors

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.

SourceShenyang Agricultural University Collaborative Journals·JournalBiocontaminant·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 10, 2026

Degradable sensors reveal hidden soil secrets by being nibbled on by microbes

New degradable sensors developed by Lancaster University researchers track biological activity in soil using a biodegradable substrate nibbled on by microbes. This technology offers insights into soil's response to climate events and storage of carbon, providing a better understanding of soil health and microbial processes.

SourceLancaster University·JournalEuropean Journal of Soil Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 10, 2026

New fluorescent nanosensor enables rapid, first-of-its-kind detection of key gut health biomarker

Researchers developed a novel fluorescent nanosensor to detect IPA, an emerging biomarker linked to gut health and disease. The sensor offers rapid detection within minutes, distinguishing IPA from closely related metabolites, enabling accurate measurement even in complex biological environments.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateJun 2, 2026

"Breaking the limits of OLED: Postech achieves low-votage freely color tunable ultra-pure laser emission"

A research team at Postech has developed a next-generation laser emission platform capable of precise color control under battery-level low voltage. The technology achieves ultra-high color purity and continuous spectral tunability within a single device, overcoming limitations of conventional display light sources.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalLaser & Photonics Review·DateMay 12, 2026

Smartwatches and GPS show promise for tracking environmental impacts on health in real time

A pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of combining wearable devices, smartphone location data, and real-time surveys to capture individuals' environmental exposures and their immediate physical and emotional effects. The integrated approach reveals patterns in heart rate variability, mood shifts, and physiological responses linked...

SourceThe Graduate Center, CUNY·JournalJMIR Formative Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2026

Molecular quantum nanosensors reveal temperature and radical signals inside living cells

Researchers developed biocompatible molecular quantum nanosensors that operate inside living cells, enabling absolute temperature measurements with subcellular spatial resolution. The sensors also detect radical-related spin signals in the cytoplasm and nucleus of cancer cells.,

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 29, 2026

Seeing is believing: New probes reveal proteins inside living cells with unprecedented clarity

Researchers have developed a new molecular imaging technology that illuminates proteins inside living cells and animals far more clearly than before. The system uses engineered fluorescent nanobodies to reduce background noise by as much as 100-fold, enabling sharper visualization of protein location and dynamics.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalNature Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2026

Terasaki principal investigator Dr. Yangzhi Zhu publishes smart contact lens for real-time IOP monitoring and closed-loop treatment delivery in Science Translational Medicine

Researchers at Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation develop a smart contact lens that monitors intraocular pressure in real time and delivers treatment. The technology has shown promising results in preclinical models and aims to improve quality of life for patients with ocular diseases.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 8, 2026

A fast method for measuring how well air disinfection works: See how it glows

Researchers at University of Michigan have developed a fast method to measure the effectiveness of plasma-based air disinfection, which can deactivate up to 99.9% of virus particles. The approach harnesses UV fluorescence to track changes in aerosol infectivity in real-time, providing essential information for public health guidelines.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalPlasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing·DateApr 2, 2026

Emotions in motion: How movement may signal mental health issues

A recent study published in Gait & Posture found that analyzing a person's walk and getting up from a chair can identify elevated depression and anxiety symptoms. The researchers used machine-learning models trained on data from participants' movements combined with information about their mental state, achieving high accuracy rates.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalGait & Posture·TypeObservational study·DateMar 30, 2026

Why do seals whisk their whiskers?

Seal whiskers are highly sensitive, but the benefit of active whisking was unclear until new research revealed that it improves sensing. Seals keep their whiskers pulled back and actively move them to detect subtle water vibrations.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·Journalnpj Flexible Electronics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2026

Advances in optical biosensors for pesticide detection

Optical biosensors offer promising solutions for rapid, portable, and on-site pesticide detection. Key biorecognition elements such as enzymes, antibodies, aptamers, and molecularly imprinted polymers enable high-selectivity detection and minimize environmental impacts.

SourceResearch·JournalResearch·TypeNews article·DateMar 23, 2026

PolyU research unveils mechanoelectrical perception in sea urchin spines, empowering next-generation biomimetic sensors

A research team led by Prof. Wang Zuankai has discovered the mechanism behind mechanoelectrical perception in sea urchin spines, which allows them to detect water flow instantly. The team has developed a bionic metamaterial sensor using gradient porous structure and 3D printing, holding promise for sensing technology breakthroughs.

A novel soft biosensor with printable responsive hydrogel interfaces for detection and differentiation of blood circulation complications

A novel soft biosensor with printable responsive hydrogel interfaces was developed for precise detection and differentiation of blood circulation complications in postoperative free flaps. The biosensor achieved high adhesion and high-fidelity signal acquisition while exhibiting low adhesion after monitoring to avoid wound damage.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2026

Tooling up to diagnose ocean health

A field-deployable CRISPR-based biosensing platform has been developed for rapid, on-site monitoring of marine species and ecosystems, offering a sustainable solution for tracking ocean health. The technology has the potential to detect critical species, predict outbreaks, and support early warning systems for ecosystem disruptions.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Sustainability·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 5, 2026

Chungnam National University team pioneers defect-free high-quality graphene electrodes

Researchers introduce a novel fabrication technique to create high-resolution, low-resistance graphene electrodes for transparent and flexible devices. The method achieves exceptionally low electrical resistance and high pattern fidelity without etching-induced defects or chemical contamination.

SourceChungnam National University Evaluation Team·JournalMicrosystems & Nanoengineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2026