Life Sciences

3D printing human tissue could help keep astronauts healthy all the way to Mars. An ESA project has produced its first bioprinted skin and bone samples.

Researchers in Japan have edited plant mitochondrial DNA for the first time, which could lead to a more secure food supply.

In biotech these days, CRISPR/Cas9 is a hot topic, because of its utility as a precise gene editing tool. Before humans repurposed it, CRISPR/Cas9 was a sort of internal immune system bacteria use to defend themselves against phages, or viruses that infect bacteria, by slicing up the phages' DNA.

Scientists have developed a platform that prints bioink into 3D tissues using a supporting slurry of alginate microgel beads. The technique overcomes limitations of conventional bioprinted scaffolds and holds promise for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, drug screening and developmental biology.

Personalized neurotechnology-aided rehabilitation of the arm could improve recovery in severe chronic stroke patients.

Healthcare Sensor Innovations 2019 is a conference and exhibition focusing on the technologies and applications of medical wearables and sensors. Curated by IDTechEx analysts, the two-day conference will consist of over 30 speakers from companies developing or utilising wearables and sensors in healthcare.

IDTechEx has been following the field of bioelectronic medicine over the past year and have identified several fast-growing areas, including peripheral nerve stimulation, which is forecast to grow at 35% CARG for 2019 - 2029. Several firsts in regulatory approvals and clearances of bioelectronic medicine devices over the first half of 2019 mark important initial steps in growing the market and increasing the number of patients being treated by these technologies. Please refer to the IDTechEx market research report "Bioelectronic Medicine 2019-2029" for more information.

A drug with three active ingredients that are released in sequence at specific times: what was once a pharmacologist's dream is now much closer to reality. With a combination of hydrogels and artificial DNA, nanoparticles can be released in sequence under conditions similar to those in the human body.\r\n\r\n

Despite medical and surgical advances to treat epilepsy, between 15 and 40 percent of patients continue to suffer from seizures. A significant service gap exists to bring new therapies -- called neuromodulation -- that could help many of these patients.