Topic description and stories

System of neurons with glowing connections on black background

‘Biohybrid’ device could restore function in paralysed limbs

22 Mar 2023

Researchers have developed a new type of neural implant that could restore limb function to amputees and others who have lost the use of their arms...

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3D projection of a multi-organoid aggregate

New method developed for ‘up-sizing’ mini organs used in medical research

08 Feb 2021

A team of engineers and scientists has developed a method of ‘up-sizing’ organoids: miniature collections of cells which mimic the behaviour of...

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Beyond the pandemic: prepare and plan a biosecure future

03 Feb 2021

COVID-19 has exposed a lack of preparedness for biological hazards – both in the UK and globally. Luke Kemp from the Centre for the Study of...

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Fibre sensor attached to face covering

3D-printed ‘invisible’ fibres can sense breath, sound, and biological cells

30 Sep 2020

From capturing your breath to guiding biological cell movements, 3D printing of tiny, transparent conducting fibres could be used to make devices...

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Women in STEM: Dr Anna-Maria Pappa

05 Sep 2019

Dr Anna-Maria Pappa is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology and holds the Oppenheimer Research...

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Report highlights opportunities and risks associated with synthetic biology and bioengineering

21 Nov 2017

Human genome editing, 3D-printed replacement organs and artificial photosynthesis – the field of bioengineering offers great promise for tackling the...

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Synthetic organs, nanobots and DNA ‘scissors’: the future of medicine

12 Oct 2017

Nanobots that patrol our bodies, killer immune cells hunting and destroying cancer cells, biological scissors that cut out defective genes: these are...

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Michelle Oyen

Bioengineering, embryos and eggshells

17 May 2017

Homerton Fellow Dr Michelle Oyen explains why she has dedicated her working life to investigating why pregnancies go wrong.

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OpenPlant - major boost for synthetic biology

30 Jan 2014

Inspired by the way open source data has stimulated innovation in computing, a new UK centre will create a climate of openness in synthetic biology...

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Lego crane in the lab

Growing bones with Lego

27 Mar 2012

A video produced for Google Science Fair shows how researchers at Cambridge making synthetic bone have turned to legendary children’s toy Lego for a...

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Neurons, in vitrio colour!

The man with the golden brain

13 Dec 2011

What’s the point of a brain? This fundamental question has led Professor Daniel Wolpert to some remarkable conclusions about how and why the brain...

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Close-up of the moss pots incorporated into a novel table developed at Cambridge University.

The hidden power of moss

22 Sep 2011

Scientists at Cambridge University are exhibiting a prototype table that demonstrates how biological fuel cells can harness energy from plants.

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