All articles tagged with #bioengineering
Originally Published 2 months ago — by Phys.org
Scientists at UC San Diego have developed a groundbreaking method to produce large quantities of xanthommatin, a pigment responsible for octopus camouflage, using engineered bacteria, which could revolutionize material production and have applications in cosmetics, coatings, and sensors.
Originally Published 3 months ago — by Futurism
Researchers from Stanford and the Arc Institute have used AI to design and successfully produce viruses that target bacteria, demonstrating the potential of AI in bioengineering, though ethical concerns about misuse remain.
Originally Published 3 months ago — by Gizmodo
Scientists worldwide are discussing the potential risks and benefits of creating mirror life, synthetic cells made from molecules that are mirror images of natural ones, due to concerns about environmental and health dangers versus potential medical and scientific benefits. The conference in Manchester aims to establish guidelines for safe research in this emerging field.
Originally Published 4 months ago — by ScienceDaily
Scientists at Kobe University have engineered bacteria to produce a biodegradable plastic called PDCA, which is stronger than PET and has potential for sustainable manufacturing, overcoming previous production challenges through innovative metabolic engineering.
Originally Published 6 months ago — by SciTechDaily
Scientists have developed autonomous living materials using synthetic lichens that can turn Martian soil into building structures, potentially enabling sustainable construction on Mars without heavy materials from Earth, using a self-growing microbial system that only requires local resources like regolith, air, and light.
Originally Published 7 months ago — by ZME Science
Researchers from Tufts University have developed a bioengineered dental implant that not only fills the gap but also reconnects with nerves to restore sensory feedback, mimicking real teeth. The implant uses stem cells and growth proteins within a biodegradable coating, and is installed via a less invasive press-fit method, showing promising results in rats. This innovation could significantly improve dental restoration by restoring natural sensation and function, with future plans for larger animal trials and human clinical trials.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by SciTechDaily
Scientists have discovered a new microbe in California's The Cedars that converts carbon dioxide into energy-rich chemicals through a unique metabolic pathway, offering insights into early life processes and potential applications in biofuel production and carbon sequestration. This archaeon, named Met12, uses a novel gene, MmcX, to enhance its energy metabolism, which could be harnessed to improve microbial manufacturing efficiency. The findings also provide clues about the origins of life and the potential for life in extreme environments, both on Earth and extraterrestrial.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by STAT
Bioengineers have developed a new drug delivery device inspired by cephalopods, such as cuttlefish, that can be swallowed to deliver drugs typically requiring injections. The device uses jets to inject drugs into the digestive tract lining, improving bioavailability compared to traditional oral methods. This innovation aims to combine the convenience of oral delivery with the efficiency of injections, potentially transforming how medications like insulin are administered. While promising, further testing and human trials are needed to assess long-term efficacy and safety.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by MIT News
Researchers from MIT and Novo Nordisk have developed a bioinspired ingestible capsule that can deliver drugs directly into the walls of the gastrointestinal tract, potentially replacing the need for injections. Inspired by cephalopods, the capsule uses compressed gas or springs to propel drugs into the tissue, offering a needle-free method for delivering large proteins like insulin and RNA. This innovation could significantly improve the administration of drugs that are currently injected, enhancing patient comfort and compliance.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Phys.org
Neo Px, a bioengineered plant developed by French startup Neoplants, can purify indoor air at a scale equivalent to 30 regular houseplants. It uses a symbiotic system where bacteria colonize the plant's roots, soil, and leaves to absorb harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The plant, sold in the U.S. for $120, aims to address indoor air pollution, which can be significantly more polluted than outdoor air due to VOCs from household products. Future plans include genetically modified plants for direct air purification and tackling global warming issues.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Phys.org
A study from Tokyo University of Science has engineered a ribozyme structure to mimic the early RNA world, shedding light on RNA's role in primitive life and its potential in bioengineering. The research explores the assembly of functional ribozymes and reveals insights into the evolutionary history of protein synthesis systems. The study also demonstrates the allosteric regulation of ribozymes by ATP and histidine, providing new perspectives on the role of RNA in early evolution and its applications in targeted drug delivery, therapeutics, nano-biosensors, and enzyme engineering.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Philadelphia Inquirer
Michael J. Mitchell, an associate professor of bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania, specializes in designing lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver mRNA inside human cells for potential applications in medicine, including cancer and other diseases. His lab uses microfluidics to create LNPs and has developed a new LNP that mimics a space shuttle to improve mRNA delivery efficiency. They have also successfully targeted the lungs of mice with LNPs and are working on crossing the blood-brain barrier for potential therapeutic applications.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Interesting Engineering
Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have genetically modified fungi to produce compounds that mimic the taste and texture of meat, offering a new approach to sustainable and cruelty-free food options.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Livescience.com
A new self-powered throat patch has been developed that can detect neck muscle movements and translate them into speech, potentially helping people with vocal cord damage or paralysis communicate. The patch harnesses movement to generate electricity, eliminating the need for a battery, and uses a machine-learning algorithm to translate muscle movements into speech. While promising, the patch is still in early stages of development and needs further testing. If successful, it could offer a more convenient and less invasive alternative to existing assistive technologies for speech disorders.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Phys.org
Scientists at Université de Montréal have discovered that molecular systems at the origin of life may have evolved by randomly attaching interacting molecules with linkers, creating complex self-regulating functions. By exploring the impact of connectivity, they found that a simple variation in linker length between molecules leads to significant variations in assembly dynamics, including self-inhibition properties. This discovery provides a fundamental framework to create more programmable nanomachines and sheds light on how natural biomolecular assemblies may have acquired their optimal dynamics.