What is new in Biotech
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Nanoparticle-delivered RNA reduces neuroinflammation in lab tests
11.12.2023 | Press monitoring
Some COVID-19 vaccines safely and effectively used lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver messenger RNA to cells. A new MIT study shows that different nanoparticles could be used for a potential Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapy. In tests in multiple mouse models and with cultured human cells, a newly tailored LNP formulation effectively delivered...
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Mussel-inspired adhesive builds a bond between implants and bones
8.12.2023 | Press monitoring
One of the problems with implants such as artificial hips is the fact that over time, the titanium implant will detach from the bone to which it was bonded. A second surgery is then required to reattach or replace the implant. Over the years, various groups have pursued a number of avenues to keep this from happening. The mussel-inspired glue is...
The first eco-friendly fluorescent artificial seed for monitoring soil temperature by using drones
6.12.2023 | Press monitoring
Researchers have invented a new kind of artificial seed to sense environmental parameters without impacting the health of the environment. The soft robot, named Acer i-Seed, is inspired by natural Acer seeds and can monitor the temperature of the soil by becoming luminescent. It is made of a biocompatible and compostable material, and it has been...
More than 100 magic mushroom genomes point the way to new cultivars
4.12.2023 | Press monitoring
Scientists have amassed genome data for dozens of "magic mushroom" isolates and cultivars, with the goal to learn more about how their domestication and cultivation has changed them. The findings, published December 4 in the journal Current Biology, may point the way to the production of intriguing new cultivars, say the researchers. The study...
Newly identified algal strains rich in phosphorus could improve wastewater treatment
1.12.2023 | Press monitoring
The Revolving Algal Biofilm (RAB) system by Gross-Wen Technologies is an emerging technology that does just that. In the RAB system, phosphorus-laden algae are cultivated in wastewater attached to a revolving belt. The grown algal biomass can then be harvested from the belt and dried for use as agricultural fertilizer or as feedstock for the...
Nanodiamonds can block tumor metastasis in mice, study shows
29.11.2023 | Press monitoring
Nanodiamonds are 2–8 nm carbon nanoparticles, which can be easily functionalized with various chemical groups like carboxylic groups or drugs. Previous research has shown that actively dividing cells are more likely to absorb nanodiamonds and that epithelial cells treated with carboxylic nanodiamonds lose the ability to migrate across...
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Networking nano-biosensors for wireless communication in the blood
27.11.2023 | Press monitoring
Biological computing machines, such as micro and nano-implants that can collect important information inside the human body, are transforming medicine. Yet, networking them for communication has proven challenging. Now, a global team, including EPFL researchers, has developed a protocol that enables a molecular network with multiple...
Will this antibiotic work for you? A quick and easy method of testing antimicrobial susceptibility
24.11.2023 | Press monitoring
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) directly causes an estimated 1.3 million deaths around the globe annually. A leading cause of AMR is the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, which has allowed microbes to mutate over time and develop insensitivity to the drugs designed to kill them, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease...
Microbes could help reduce the need for chemical fertilizers
22.11.2023 | Press monitoring
Bacteria that can convert nitrogen gas to ammonia could not only provide nutrients that plants need, but also help regenerate soil and protect plants from pests. However, these bacteria are sensitive to heat and humidity, so it's difficult to scale up their manufacture and ship them to farms. To overcome that obstacle, MIT chemical engineers...
Using dust to bust crime scene DNA forensics
20.11.2023 | Press monitoring
An airborne fraction of soil, or dust, contains biological and chemical "signatures" that act as a fingerprint to a specific location. Australian forensic science experts, led by Flinders University, have highlighted the usefulness of the latest technology by testing a series of field sites in South Australia for their unique chemical and...
