Category Biology/Biotechnology

Prof. Hyung Joon Cha and his colleagues at POSTECH have developed new tissue adhesive that is mussel-protein based via a photochemical reaction using blue visible light. Myriad medical #applications including sutureless wound closures of delicate organs or tissues beyond surgeons’ reach.

Inspired by nature’, a new light-activated adhesive hydrogel has been developed. The innovative surgical protein glue, called LAMBA, not only closes an open wound on a wet bleeding site within less than 60 seconds but also effectively facilitates the healing process without inflammation or a scar. It works on the same principles as mussels attaching to underwater surfaces and insects maintaining structural balance and flexibility...

SRBAL liver implant and Mayo Expert: Artificial Liver Ready for Human Testing: On any given day about 15,000 Americans are on the liver transplant waiting list, hoping they can get a lifesaving donor organ in time: https://youtu.be/bFLgr3G8ZQg

It supports healing and regeneration of the injured liver, and improve outcomes and reduce mortality rates for patients with acute liver failure. ~30,000-40,000 people die from liver disease each year, according to the American Liver Foundation. For acute liver failure, the only proven treatment has been liver transplantation. Developed by Scott Nyberg, M.D., Ph.D...

Images showing the difference in the prevalence of p53 in the oral tissue of a 28-year-old (left) and a 74-year-old (right). Credit: Dr. Reuben Kim

UCLA researchers have found that a protein that serves as a suppressor of cancer diminishes in skin and mouth epithelial cells as the human body ages. Dr. No-Hee Park, UCLA School of Dentistry dean and his team have been studying p53, tumor suppressor protein, “guardian of the genome” involved in DNA repair, cell cycle regulation and cellular deterioration.

“Looking at ways to maintain levels of p53 as one ages may provide a therapeutic clue to preventing cancer development,” said Park. Previous studies have shown p53 accumulates in large quantities as connective tissue cells, called fibroblasts, age and stop dividing...

The immune system produces antibodies finely tuned to antigens. Recent research describes how the interaction between T cells (green) and B cells (blue) allows this to take place. Bystander B cells and antigen appear in red.
Credit: Laboratory of Molecular Immunology at The Rockefeller University

Cell Division speeds up as part of antibody selection. Mechanisms that favor selection of B cells capable of producing antibodies with highest affinity for that invader. “2 of the mechanisms that allow high affinity B cells to overwhelm the others,” says Alex Gitlin.

During an infection, B + other immune cells form germinal centers in spleen and lymph nodes, where B cells evolve in a Darwinian-like fashion...