Bioengineering

Chips in Space

Microfluidic devices lined with human cells are headed to the International Space Station in early May, part of an effort to understand why astronauts get sick more easily in orbit.

Gwyneth K. Shaw

Everyday enzymes, now grown in plants

Myriad industrial processes rely on enzymes, from making orange juice to manufacturing denim jeans. Research emerging from the School of Dental Medicine is transforming how these enzymes get made.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Cells control their own fate by manipulating their environment

Muscle, blood, brain, and skin cells are different from one another, but they all share the same DNA. Stem cells’ transformation into specialized cells is controlled through various signals from their surroundings. A study suggests that cells may have more control over their fate than previously thought.

Penn Today Staff



In the News


HealthDay

In mouse studies, new hope against a dangerous complication of pregnancy

Doctoral student Kelsey Swingle in the School of Engineering and Applied Science and colleagues are using mRNA molecules to treat pre-eclampsia, a common pregnancy complication.

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New Scientist

Pre-eclampsia could be treated with mRNA technology

Michael Mitchell and Ph.D. student Kelsey Swingle of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and colleagues are using mRNA molecules to treat pre-eclampsia, a common pregnancy complication.

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Axios

Real vs. fake Christmas trees: The great debate, explained

Lorena Grundy of the School of Engineering and Applied Science says that the debate between real and fake Christmas trees isn’t as black and white as it’s being portrayed.

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Rolling Stone

RFK Jr.’s 10 wildest medical theories

Kenneth R. Foster of the School of Engineering and Applied Science says studies haven’t provided clear evidence that exposure to levels of radio frequency energy below accepted limits, such as Wi-Fi, disrupts the blood-brain barrier.

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Nature

Gut microbes’ genomes are a trove of potential antibiotics

Marcelo Torres of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and colleagues are synthesizing antibiotic microbes from microbiomes in the human gut.

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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Smart meter debate: Small group of consumers pushes against a meter mandate in Pennsylvania

Kenneth Foster of the School of Engineering and Applied Science says that the most reliable conclusions are always those of expert panels that conduct systematic reviews according to established procedures.

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