Tag: bioengineering
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Space Life Science in Focus: NASA-Funded Research Shaping Health in Microgravity and Beyond
Overview: NASA-Funded Breakthroughs in Space Life Science The NASA Human Research Program continues to fuel a growing body of space life science that informs not only astronaut health on long missions but also advances terrestrial medicine. The latest current awareness list highlights studies ranging from short-duration spaceflight effects on task execution to revolutionary tissue research…
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MIT Engineers Solve Sticky-Cell Problem in Bioreactors
Overview: Tackling a universal bottleneck in cell-based production Bioreactors are central to modern manufacturing, from growing algae that aggressively absorb CO2 to producing biologic drugs and cell therapies. But a stubborn challenge—cells sticking to surfaces—limits performance across industries. This adhesion reduces light exposure in photobioreactors, disrupts harvesting, and triggers costly downtime for cleaning. A new…
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From ‘superhumans’ to sequencing: How the next 50 years of science could shape our world
Imagining the next half-century of science The last 50 years have reshaped our world with breakthroughs once thought impossible—from the birth of the internet to decoding the human genome and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. As CBC Radio’s science program Quirks & Quarks marks its 50th anniversary, a panel of Canada’s leading researchers gathered…
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From Superhumans to Sequencing: The Next 50 Years of Science
The Next 50 Years in Science: A Roadmap Shaped by Collaboration As we mark a half-century of rapid scientific progress, researchers from across disciplines are envisioning what comes next. The discussion at the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo, alongside CBC’s Quirks & Quarks, brought together six Canadian scientists who chart future frontiers. Their shared takeaway: the…
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Vocal Cord Hydrogel Breakthrough at McGill – Longer-Lasting Voice
McGill unveils a promising hydrogel for vocal cord healing A team of researchers at McGill University has developed a hydrogel that could significantly improve treatment for vocal cord injuries. The hydrogel is designed to repair damaged tissue in the vocal cords, offering potential relief for people who suffer from voice loss or chronic vocal damage.…
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AVATAR: NASA’s Organ-on-a-Chip for Space Health Futures
NASA’s Bold Step: Putting Astronaut Tissue on Chip As NASA prepares for the Artemis II mission, the agency is not only planning to circle the Moon but also to push the boundaries of space biology. A centerpiece of this effort is the AVATAR project—an acronym for A Virtual Astronaut Tissue Analog Response. The experiment takes…
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Funding Boosts 3D-Printed, Custom Prostheses for Children with Lower-Limb Amputation
Overview of the Initiative A transformative project led by Quentin Sanders, an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering at the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC), has received a $502,222 grant from the National Science Foundation. The three-year initiative, titled “Fused Filament Fabrication of Customized Continuous Fiber Physical Activity Enabling Prostheses for Children with…
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Glow Plants: Succulents that Charge Under Light and Shine in the Dark
Barely a light switch needed: glow plants powered by sunlight In a leap from science fiction to tangible reality, scientists have developed glow plants that emit a soft, visible glow after charging with sunlight or bright indoor light. These living succulents house tiny light-storing crystals that absorb energy and release it gradually as photons when…
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Glow Plants: How Scientists Made Living Succulents Glow and Recharge in Minutes
Introduction: A Bright, Battery-Free Light Source from Living Plants Imagine walking into a dark room where the glow comes from living plants themselves. Scientists have turned that vision into reality by creating glow plants—succulents that store light energy in tiny crystals and later release it as visible glow. The approach uses no batteries, no plugs,…
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Tiny Treatment System Targets Neuroinflammation in the Brain
Introduction to Neuroinflammation Neuroinflammation is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in a variety of detrimental brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. It refers to the inflammation of the nervous tissue and can lead to neuronal dysfunction and death. Recent advancements in research have shed light on innovative treatments aimed at combating this issue,…