Biohybrid Implant Patches Broken Nerves with Stem Cells

A clear flexible PCB with a number of gold electrodes on one end. It is wrapped over a black cable to demonstrate its flexibility. A set of dashed white lines goes from one end to a zoomed in image of the circuit structure inset in the top right of the image.

Neural interfaces have made great strides in recent years, but still suffer from poor longevity and resolution. Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a biohybrid implant to improve …read more Continue reading Biohybrid Implant Patches Broken Nerves with Stem Cells

Lab-grown 3D skin grafts could be applied like “biological clothing”

While bioengineered skin holds great promise for people such as burn victims, the material has so far only been produced in flat sheets. Now, however, scientists have devised a method of growing it in 3D forms, which could be slipped onto the body like… Continue reading Lab-grown 3D skin grafts could be applied like “biological clothing”

Artificial cells created that imitate basic functions of living cells

It may sound like the start of a Frankenstein story, but scientists from New York University (NYU) and the University of Chicago have developed artificial cells made of non-biological matter that mimic the basic functions of living ones.Continue Readin… Continue reading Artificial cells created that imitate basic functions of living cells

“Growing” heart valve implant would never have to be replaced

When a child receives a replacement heart valve, the device doesn’t grow along with them. This means it will have to be surgically replaced, multiple times. Such may not be the case, however, with a new valve that’s currently in development.Continue Re… Continue reading “Growing” heart valve implant would never have to be replaced

Imagindairy plans to cut out the cow and make milk from yeast

An Israel-based startup is the latest looking to produce milk without a cow or any other even-toed ungulate. Co-founded by Professor Tamir Tuller of Tel Aviv University, Imagindairy is looking at ways to use bioengineered yeast cells to produce milk pr… Continue reading Imagindairy plans to cut out the cow and make milk from yeast

Engineering plants for better root microbiomes would unlock land for staple crops

A Stanford University team led by associate professor of chemical engineering Elizabeth Sattely is developing genetically engineered plants that can better absorb iron from the soil. By making it easier to ingest the trace mineral, it may be … Continue reading Engineering plants for better root microbiomes would unlock land for staple crops

Biological Hacking in the 19th Century or How the World Almost Lost Wine

While it isn’t quite universal, a lot of people enjoy a glass of wine now and again. But the world faced a crisis in the 1800s that almost destroyed some of the world’s great wines. Science — or some might say hacking — saved the day, though even though it …read more

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Green Hacking: Overclocking Photosynthesis

We think of hacking as bending technology to our will. But some systems are biological,  and we’re also starting to see more hacking in that area. This should excite science fiction fans used to with reading about cultures that work with biological tech, so maybe we’ll get there in the real world too.  Hacking farm crops and animals goes back centuries, although we are definitely getting better at it. A case in point: scientists have found a way to make photosynthesis better and this should lead to more productive crops.

We learned in school that plants use carbon dioxide and …read more

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