All articles tagged with #bioengineering
BioFluff, a Paris/New York fashion-tech startup, is making plant-based faux fur as a sustainable alternative to animal pelts, inspired by a 2022 meeting with a bioengineer and a textile recycler, signaling a shift toward field-grown, plant-derived luxury materials.
Pi underpins a wide range of applications—from NASA spacecraft calculations and signals to bioengineering uses like creating microdroplets for antibody research and rapid disease tests—showing how this constant shapes space exploration and health, celebrated annually on Pi Day.
Hagfish slime rapidly expands into a dense gel when seawater is present, using ultra-thin protein threads that self-assemble into a fibrous network and can clog predators’ gills in seconds. Produced at room temperature in seawater with no toxic byproducts, this slime is inspiring researchers to develop sustainable biomaterials—self-assembling fibers that could rival spider silk. Scientists aim to isolate the slime proteins’ genes for production in microbes, but scaling, control of assembly, and durability remain key hurdles.
Researchers combine multiple donor liver cell types to form in vitro liver assembloids that recapitulate periportal tissue, moving toward miniature human livers for faster drug testing and personalized therapies.
Researchers have 3D-printed microstructures inside living cells using two-photon polymerization by injecting a light-sensitive resin and curing it with a femtosecond laser; the resulting structures, including a 10 μm Elephant-like model, float in the cytoplasm and can be inherited when cells divide. Viability after 24 hours is about 55% for printed cells, with most losses due to membrane damage from the injection rather than the printing itself. Demonstrations include barcodes, diffraction gratings, and microlasers, signaling potential for intracellular tagging and sensing, while challenges in viability and integration remain.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.