Dendritic cells are key orchestrators of the immune response, but most vaccination strategies don’t effectively target them. NIBIB-funded researchers have developed biodegradable nanoparticles that are designed to deliver mRNA cargo to dendritic cells in the spleen. Combined with another type of immunotherapy, their vaccine had robust antitumor effects in multiple mouse models.

An NIBIB-funded research education program designed to diversify the biomedical workforce inspired two participants to pursue Ph.D. research in biomedical engineering.

By combining non-invasive imaging techniques, a team of investigators led by Massachusetts General have created a comprehensive cellular atlas of a region of the human brain known as Broca’s area. The methods could be used to create 3D models of particular brain areas and the entire human brain. Source: Massachusetts General Hospital/Science Daily 

UMass Chan Medical School and UMass Lowell have received $8.9 million from the National Institutes of Health in support for their development of home care technology. Source: Worcester Business Journal

Researchers have pushed forward the boundaries of biomedical engineering one hundredfold with a new method for DNA detection with unprecedented sensitivity. Source: University of Massachusetts Amherst/Science Daily

Researchers have long recognized the therapeutic potential of using magnetoelectrics ⎯ materials that can turn magnetic fields into electric fields ⎯ to stimulate neural tissue in a minimally invasive way and help treat neurological disorders or nerve damage. A Rice University led team have designed the first magnetoelectric material that can be used to precisely stimulate neurons remotely and to bridge the gap in a broken sciatic nerve in a rat model.  Source: Rice University

Traditional medical imaging works great for people with light skin but has trouble getting clear pictures from patients with darker skin. A Johns Hopkins University–led team found a way to deliver clear pictures of anyone's internal anatomy, no matter their skin tone.  Source: Johns Hopkins University

eMed is working with the National Institutes of Health to study what impact having more at-home tests will have in controlling spread of disease...NIH is funding the test kits and telehealth visits for 80,000 to 100,000 people who enroll in the study through June 2024. Source: Time

Scientists have shown that their steerable lung robot can autonomously maneuver the intricacies of the lung, while avoiding important lung structures. Source: University of North Carolina Health Care/Science Daily