Bio and Medicine

Current methods of antibody detection, such as conventional serological assays, are limited in terms of the amount of information they can process in a single test. Although more recent techniques have made it possible to increase the number of simultaneous measurements, they are still restricted by interference in the detection signals.

A good drug should cure without harming. A lot depends, however, not so much on the therapeutic substance itself, as on the way it is administered—it should precisely reach the affected area, in a specific amount, for a sufficiently long period of time. This is exactly how mats made of polymer fibers containing the antibacterial metronidazole work.

Scientists have made a key breakthrough in treating respiratory diseases by developing a new drug delivery system that transports genetic therapies directly to the lungs, opening promising possibilities for patients with conditions like lung cancer and cystic fibrosis.

Researchers led by Kenichiro Itami at the RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute (PRI) / RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) have successfully used insects as mini molecule-making factories, marking a breakthrough in chemical engineering.

Cornell researchers have developed a new way to safely heat up specific areas inside the body by using biodegradable polymers that contain tiny water pockets, which are then activated by near-infrared laser. The technology could lead to precise and noninvasive diagnostics and therapeutics, perhaps to fight cancer.