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Less pain, more gain: A new recipe for safer, stronger mRNA vaccines

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania designed a new recipe for mRNA vaccines by adding phenol groups, which reduce inflammation and improve vaccine effectiveness. The modified lipids improved vaccine performance in various diseases, including COVID-19, cancer, and genetic diseases, with enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2025

Flip-flopping cholesterol in the cell membrane

Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered a vital role of two proteins, ABCA1 and Aster-A, in maintaining the asymmetric distribution of cholesterol within cells. This process allows for selective control over substances entering and leaving cells.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2022

Biomembrane research findings could advance understanding of computing and human memory

Scientists discovered that an artificial cell membrane can exhibit long-term potentiation, a hallmark of biological learning and memory, persisting for many hours. This finding has the potential to revolutionize next-generation computing materials and architectures by merging functions of processing and memory in neuromorphic computers.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 7, 2022

Nanoparticle computing takes a giant step forward

Researchers developed a nanoparticle-lipid bilayer hybrid-based computing platform that enables parallel computation using nanoparticles. The system consists of mobile Nano-Floaters and immobile Nano-Receptors, which can perform AND, OR, and INHIBIT logic operations, and are modularly wired to form complex logic circuits.

SourceSeoul National University·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 23, 2019

Drug detectives

A new screening method uses lipid bilayer properties to predict toxicity, identifying probable cytotoxic drugs at an early stage in development. The Gramicidin-Based Fluorescence Assay (GBFA) tracks changes in protein function as a way of monitoring lipid bilayer alterations.

Unhealthy attachments

The study used atomic force microscopy and surface forces apparatus to measure the strength of adhesion between healthy and diseased myelin bilayers. Researchers found that healthy myelin adsorbs proteins better, maintaining optimal insulation and nerve function.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2014