A hydrogel that knows when to go (w/video)
Bioscaffold material degrades as bone grows to replace it .
May 7th, 2014
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Bone marrow-on-a-chip unveiled (w/video)
The latest organ-on-a-chip from Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering reproduces the structure, functions and cellular make-up of bone marrow, a complex tissue that until now could only be studied intact in living animals.
May 5th, 2014
Read moreFunctioning of aged brains and muscles in mice made younger
Harvard Stem Cell Institute researchers have shown that a protein they previously demonstrated can make the failing hearts in aging mice appear more like those of young health mice, similarly improves brain and skeletal muscle function in aging mice.
May 5th, 2014
Read moreAtomic level look at telomerase may unlock the secrets to the fountain of youth
Despite the strong medical applications, the mechanism for telomerase holoenzyme (the most important unit of the telomerase complex) assembly remains poorly understood. New research provides, for the first time, an atomic level description of the protein-RNA interaction in the vertebrate telomerase complex.
May 5th, 2014
Read moreHow do our cells move? Liquid droplets could explain (w/video)
Scientists have discovered a new relationship between the three-dimensional shape of the cell and its ability to migrate. The work has important implications for the fundamental understanding of cell movement and for practical applications like tissue engineering.
May 2nd, 2014
Read moreDelving deep into the brain
MRI sensor allows neuroscientists to map neural activity with molecular precision.
May 2nd, 2014
Read moreBiongineers grow functional human cartilage in lab
First time physiologically strong cartilage has been made in vitro from human stem cells.
Apr 30th, 2014
Read moreScientists pack lab into pill for water testing (w/video)
Researchers have reduced the sophisticated chemistry required for testing water safety to a simple pill, by adapting technology found in a dissolving breath strip. Want to know if a well is contaminated? Drop a pill in a vial of water and shake vigorously. If the colour changes, there's the answer.
Apr 29th, 2014
Read moreInitiative creates team of engineers, plant scientists to develop smart plants
Iowa State University engineers and plant scientists are joining forces to design better crops that tolerate climate change, produce bigger yields and feed more people.
Apr 29th, 2014
Read moreThe secret ingredient that strengthens silk biomaterials
The addition of pectin molecules significantly improves the mechanical properties of silk-based hydrogels as tissue engineering substrates.
Apr 25th, 2014
Read moreA European vision for synthetic biology has been launched today
The Strategic Vision represents the culmination of the strategic activities of the Synthetic Biology ERA-NET (ERASynBio) - a project which aims to develop and coordinate synthetic biology in the European Research Area.
Apr 23rd, 2014
Read moreMantis shrimp stronger than airplanes
Inspired by mantis shrimp, researchers design composite material stronger than standard used in airplane frames.
Apr 22nd, 2014
Read moreNew patenting guidelines are needed for biotechnology
Biotechnology scientists must be aware of the broad patent landscape and push for new patent and licensing guidelines, according to a new paper from Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Apr 22nd, 2014
Read moreNeuroimaging: Live from inside the cell
New technique enables detailed insights into mitochondria.
Apr 22nd, 2014
Read moreComputational method dramatically speeds up estimates of gene expression
With gene expression analysis growing in importance for both basic researchers and medical practitioners, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Maryland have developed a new computational method that dramatically speeds up estimates of gene activity from RNA sequencing data.
Apr 20th, 2014
Read moreBiomedical applications of shape-memory polymers: How practically useful are they?
Shape-memory polymers are an important class of materials in medicine, especially for minimally invasive deployment of devices. However, the rate of translation of the concept to approved products is extremely low. A paper described the general usefulness as well as the limitations of the shape-memory polymers for biomedical applications.
Apr 17th, 2014
Read moreBuilding 'smart' cell-based therapies
Synthetic biologists have developed a technology for engineering human cells as therapies that become activated only in diseased tissues.
Apr 17th, 2014
Read moreFriction harnessed by proteins helps organize cell division
A football-shaped structure, known as the mitotic spindle, makes cell division possible for many living things. This piece of cellular architecture, responsible for dividing up genetic material, is in constant flux. The filaments that form it grow and shrink, while motor-like molecules burn energy pushing them about. To ensure the complex process proceeds in an orderly fashion, molecular fasteners pin the filaments together in certain places, and new research helps explain how they do it.
Apr 17th, 2014
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