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Bioengineering

New insights into the mechanisms of tumor growth
3d render of cells secreting exosomes.

Nocred

New insights into the mechanisms of tumor growth

A team of researchers led by the School of Arts & Science’s Wei Guo characterize the molecular pathways that play a major role in tumorigenesis, findings that could lead to better diagnostic tools for cancer and new targeted therapies.
OCTOPUS, an optimized device for growing mini-organs in a dish
A gloved hand holding a square petri dish with twelve slots.

OCTOPUS, an optimized device for growing mini-organs in a dish

With OCTOPUS, Dan Huh’s team expands organoid research with a platform superior to conventional gel droplets, allowing researchers to replicate biological systems outside of the body.

From Penn Engineering Today

Penn Libraries dedicates Holman Biotech Commons
From left, Wayne Holman and Wendy Commins Holman, Liz Magill, Constantia Constantinou, and Hannah Rutledge.

From left, Wayne Holman and Wendy Commins Holman, President Liz Magill, director of the Penn Libraries Constantia Constantinou, and Hannah Rutledge, director of Biotech Commons. (Image: Kait Privitera)

Penn Libraries dedicates Holman Biotech Commons

The Commons serves as a collaborative resource for researchers in the health sciences, providing the latest tools and technologies to further health care research and equality.
Deconstructing the mechanics of bone marrow disease
microscopic image of an immune cell labeled purple against a gray background

Acollaborative team developed an alginate-based hydrogel system that mimics the viscoelasticity of the natural extracellular matrix in bone marrow. By tweaking the balance between elastic and viscous properties in these artificial ECMs, they could recapitulate the viscoelasticity of healthy and scarred fibrotic bone marrow, and study the effects on human monocytes placed into these artificial ECMs. (Image: Adam Graham/Harvard CNS/Wyss Institute at Harvard University)

Deconstructing the mechanics of bone marrow disease

A new understanding of how mechanical features of bone marrow affect resident immune cells in a fibrotic cancer points to future therapeutic strategies for cancers and fibrotic diseases.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Shapeshifting microrobots can brush and floss teeth
Graphic shows how nanoparticle-based microrobots can remove dental plaque from teeth with their motion and the activity of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to kill microbes

Shapeshifting microrobots can brush and floss teeth

In a proof-of-concept study, researchers from the School of Dental Medicine and School of Engineering and Applied Science shows that a hands-free system could effectively automate the treatment and removal of tooth-decay-causing bacteria and dental plaque.

Katherine Unger Baillie