Mammalian fertilization, caught on tape
Using a new microfluidic device called the 'IVF chip', scientists obtain the first images with both high spatial and temporal resolution of the initial steps of fertilization.
Feb 29th, 2016
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Biotechnology News – Latest Headlines
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Researchers make groundbreaking discovery, use skin cells to kill cancer
Skin cells turned cancer-killing stem cells hunt down and destroy the deadly remnants inevitably left behind when a brain tumor is surgically removed.
Feb 24th, 2016
Read moreScientists pave way for new generation of superbug drugs
New research reveals the mechanism by which drug-resistant bacterial cells maintain a defensive barrier.
Feb 23rd, 2016
Read moreBreaking through the bacteria barrier
New microfluidic device may speed up DNA insertion in bacteria, the first step in genetic engineering.
Feb 19th, 2016
Read morePunchy proteins could help advance drug delivery, MEMS devices (w/video)
Some bacteria that live inside paramecia, which are tiny aquatic organisms, use a coiled protein ribbon that unfurls like a Chinese paper yo-yo to deliver a toxin to threatening organisms. The protein packs a punch, bursting through membranes of the paramecia's competitors as it elongates.
Feb 17th, 2016
Read moreFluorescent biosensors light up high-throughput metabolic engineering
Genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors allow researchers to see how products form in real time in microorganisms, and to test billions of candidates at a time.
Feb 17th, 2016
Read moreUsing a microchip to build a first-ever artificial kidney
A researcher is making major progress on a first-of-its kind device to free kidney patients from dialysis. He is building an implantable artificial kidney with microchip filters and living kidney cells that will be powered by a patient's own heart.
Feb 15th, 2016
Read moreScientists prove feasibility of 'printing' replacement tissue
Using a sophisticated, custom-designed 3D printer, regenerative medicine scientists have proved that it is feasible to print living tissue structures to replace injured or diseased tissue in patients.
Feb 15th, 2016
Read moreNew smart chip makes low-powered, wireless neural implants a possibility
Scientists have developed a small smart chip that can be paired with neural implants for efficient wireless transmission of brain signals.
Feb 11th, 2016
Read moreHydrogels can put stem cells to sleep
Researchers reveal that mimicking a natural process called diapause can halt stem cells, effectively putting them to sleep for up to two weeks.
Feb 10th, 2016
Read moreBiosensors on demand
Researchers leveraged combination of computational protein design, in vitro synthesis and in vivo testing to establish a first-of-its-kind strategy for identifying custom-tailored biosensors.
Feb 9th, 2016
Read moreCotton candy machines may hold key for making artificial organs (w/video)
Engineers have modified the cotton candy machine to create complex microfluidic networks that mimic the capillary system in living tissue and have demonstrated that these networks can keep cells alive and functioning in an artificial three-dimensional matrix.
Feb 8th, 2016
Read moreScientists propose 'pumpjack' mechanism for splitting and copying DNA (w/video)
High-resolution structural details of cells' DNA-replicating proteins offer new insight into how these molecular machines function.
Feb 8th, 2016
Read moreResearchers create synthetic biopathway to turn agriculture waste into 'green' products
Researchers have engineered a new synthetic biopathway that can more efficiently and cost-effectively turn agricultural waste, like corn stover and orange peels, into a variety of useful products ranging from spandex to chicken feed.
Feb 8th, 2016
Read moreMuscles on-a-chip provide insight into cardiac stem cell therapies
Stem cell-derived heart muscle cells may fail to effectively replace damaged cardiac tissue because they don't contract strongly enough, according to a new study. This study may help explain why stem cell-based therapies have so far shown limited benefits for heart attack patients in clinical trials.
Feb 8th, 2016
Read moreMicroreactor replaces animal testing
A microreactor developed as part of a collaborative research project enables cultured liver cells to be used as test samples. Unlike animal testing, this novel method enables the assessment of potentially toxic substances on tissue in real time.
Feb 2nd, 2016
Read moreCuring disease by repairing faulty genes
New delivery method boosts efficiency of CRISPR genome-editing system.
Feb 1st, 2016
Read moreBio-inspired biomimetics can outperform natural coenzymes
Researchers have developed a range of synthetic biomimetic compounds to replace the relatively expensive natural NADH and NADPH coenzymes in enzymatic conversions of industrial relevance. They show that some of the compounds even outperform their natural counterparts.
Feb 1st, 2016
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