Researchers at Brigham & Women’s Hospital have developed electrically activated gold nanoparticles that can bore holes into cells’ outer membranes and allow DNA, RNA and proteins to pass through carrying their cargo. The team’s work was published in Advanced Functional Materials. The team tested its technique using a DNA vaccine against hepatitis C in a mice model. […]
Research & Development
Researchers use nanoparticles to overcome treatment-resistant breast cancer
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine have developed RNA nanoparticles that show promise in overcoming treatment-resistant breast cancer. The team’s work was published in ACS Nano. The researchers used a nanocarrier to target HER2-positive breast cancer and stop the production of a specific protein to prevent metastasis and render the cancer cells vulnerable to tamoxifen, […]
Researchers develop nanorockets that respond to changing temperatures
Researchers at Radboud University have developed nanorockets with temperature responsive “brakes”, enabling the carrier to stop in diseased tissues where temperatures are higher. The team’s work was published in Nature Chemistry this week. The nanocarriers can self-assemble to form functional units in any shape. “Our biggest challenge is to provide our nanorockets with various functionalities,” senior author […]
Spine stimulation helps man with spinal cord injury regain movement
Doctors from the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center reported today that a spinal implant is helping return hand strength to a 28 year old man who suffered a spinal cord injury in 2011. The patient, Brain Gomez, became 1 of the world’s 1st patients to have the experimental device implanted into his spine in June last […]
Rewired immune cells respond as targeted cancer therapy
Researchers from Northwestern University have developed a method to rewire immune cells by genetically modifying the cells to sense molecules secreted by tumors and respond by activating the immune system. The team’s work is described in a study published this month in Nature Chemical Biology. Although immunotherapy is growing in popularity among cancer researchers, tumors secrete […]
Defymed partners with Semma Therapeutics on bio-artificial pancreas
French biotech developer Defymed said today it inked a collaborative deal with American biotech company Semma Therapeutics to support the continued development of a bio-artificial pancreas to treat type-1 diabetes. The collaborative deal will aim to achieve pre-clinical validation of Defymed’s Mailpan bio-artificial pancreas in combination with Semma’s stem-cell derived differentiated insulin-secreting cells, Defymed said. The Mailpan device […]
Researchers develop insulin-producing artificial beta cells
Researchers from ETH Zurich have developed artificial beta cells that can measure blood glucose concentration and respond by producing insulin. The team’s work was published this week in Science. The ETH researchers used the natural glucose transport proteins and potassium channels found in the membrane of human kidney cells and modified them with a voltage-dependent calcium channel, […]
Researchers use drug-loaded microneedles for transdermal delivery
Researchers from the Beijing University of Chemical Technology have developed a method to introduce a bubble-shaped microstructure into the base of drug-loaded dissolving microneedles for use as a transdermal drug delivery system. The team’s work was published today in Scientific Reports. Drug-loaded dissolving microneedles are made with water soluble polymers and are designed to overcome the barrier […]
Study finds medical skin glue can reduce IV drip failure
Researchers from the Caboolture Hospital in Queensland, Australia found that medical skin glue can be used to hold hospital intravenous lines in place, significantly reducing the risk of infection, pain, blockage or overall failure. The team’s work was published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine. The Emergency Medicine Foundation of Australia, along with Queensland Health, […]
SRI wins $150m grant to develop HIV prevention products
SRI International said today that it landed a $150 million contract from the National Institutes of Health‘s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Division of AIDS to support the development of HIV microbicides and other pre-exposure agents. According to the 7-year deal, the research institute will provide preclinical product development services for non-vaccine […]
Researchers develop targeted, photodynamic nanoparticles for tumor therapy
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School have developed photodynamic nanoparticles that can effectively target deep-tissue tumors. The team’s work was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. “This study signals a major step forward in photodynamic therapy by developing a new class of NIR-absorbing biodegradable organic nanoparticles for a highly effective […]