Professor Luke Lee discusses the challenge and promise of on-chip diagnostics and the state of the industry after the trouble with Theranos.
BioE News
Size matters
Macrophages are the body’s immune attack force, but how do they recognize their target particles? Fletcher Lab investigators have shown how macrophage target recognition is controlled by the height of the antibody above the target cell surface. They found that the gap created between the target cell and macrophage by the antibody, which bridges an antigen on the target cell surface and the macrophage’s receptors, must be small enough to exclude a molecule that turns off the receptor. This has broad implications for development of therapeutic antibodies because it establishes a size threshold for effective cell surface antigen targets.
CRISPR-Gold editing reduces repetitive behavior in mice with a form of autism
New research from Prof Niren Murthy’s lab uses his CRISPR-Gold nanoparticle delivery technique to lessen some autism symptoms in mice with a form of fragile X syndrome, the most common known single-gene cause of autism spectrum disorder. Published in Nature Biomedical Engineering June 25, 2018.
Congratulations department fellows!
Congratulations to our PhD students awarded named department fellowships for 2018-19! Endowed fellowships allow our talented students to pursue independent , cutting-edge research not yet funded by a major grant.
Alumna McBirney on All Things Considered
Listen to alumna Samantha McBirney (BS 2012) on NPR’s All Things Considered, discussing her graduate work on an inexpensive magnetic detector for malaria!
Living Large: Exploration of Diverse Bacteria Signals Big Advance for Gene Function Prediction
Professor Adam Arkin co-authors the largest functional genomics study of bacteria ever published. He and collaborators have developed a workflow that enables large-scale, genome-wide assays of gene importance across many conditions.
MTM student to speak at commencement
Once again a graduating MTM student has been chosen to speak at the College of Engineering Graduate Commencement Ceremony. Tsai-Chu Yeh will deliver the Master’s address at the ceremony on May 15, 2018.
What Happens When Geneticists Talk Sloppily About Race
Professor Ian Holmes writes about the importance of wording when talking about genetics and race, in the Atlantic, April 25.
BioE alumni talk on building a successful startup
Three bioengineering alumni took the stage with Y Combinator president Sam Altman on April 25 to discuss building a successful bio venture and the launch of YC Bio.