… refining ways to combine electronics with biocompatible materials and even living tissue, which could pave the way for exotic new implants …

… trying to help patients suffered stroke to improve arm movement by stimulating brain using device called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator (TMS). using TMS to reduce brain activity on side not injured by stroke, injured side may have better chance of recovering …

… Survivors of stroke or other neurological conditions such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries & Parkinson’s disease often struggle w/ mobility. 2 regain motor functions, patients required 2 undergo physical therapy sessions. researchers invented novel robotic walker helps patients carry out therapy sessions 2 regain leg movements & natural gait. system also increases productivity of physiotherapists & improves quality of rehabilitation sessions …

… idea of mapping brain not new. known 4 yrs key 2 treating, curing, & even preventing brain disorders, 2 understand how brain records, processes, stores, & retrieves info … major contribution 2 efforts 2 navigate brain … offers precise model of organization of developing neuronal circuits … Imagine only few airports in world responsible 4 all flight dynamics on planet. found 2B true of hub neurons in orchestration of circuits’ synchronizations during development. reproduced findings in new computer model. According 2 model, 1 stimulated hub neuron impacts entire circuit dynamic; similarly, just 1 muted neuron suppresses all coordinated activity of circuit. contributing 2 efforts 2 identify neurons more important 2 specific neuronal circuits. If identify cells play major role in controlling circuit dynamics, know how 2 communicate w/entire circuit, as in case of communication between brain & prosthetic devices … found timely activation of cells fundamental 4 proper operation of hub neurons, in turn, orchestrate entire network dynamic. In other words, clique of hubs works in kind of temporally-organized fashion, accordingly everyone active at right time. Coordinated activation impacts entire network. Just by alternating timing of activity of 1 neuron, able 2 affect operation of small clique of neurons, & finally entire network. fits framework of ‘complex network theory,’ emerging discipline explores similar trends & properties among all kinds of networks — i.e., social networks, biological networks, & power plants. theoretical approach offers key insights into many systems, including neuronal circuit network in brains. Parallel 2 theoretical study, in vitro cultured systems better identify electrophysiological & chemical properties of hub neurons. also involved in project aimed at linking biological & artificial neuronal circuitries 2 restore lost brain functions …

… new microscope sweeps lattices of light over samples 2 give sneak peeks inside living cells w/out hurting them. previously devised ways 2 glimpse hidden machinery of cells, but spying tiny nuts & bolts in action tricky. Shining light on cells 4 2 long bleach color & even kill them … Instead of shooting focused beam of light at developing embryo or virus infecting cell, spread beam out into grid. Breaking up beam dials down light’s intensity & protects cells …

In two new studies from Johns Hopkins, researchers answer long-standing questions about how complex cells sense the chemical trails that show them where to go — and the role of cells’ internal “skeleton” in responding to those cues.

… from attacking foreign invaders to spreading cancer to healing wounds, cells in body constantly on move. To know where to go, cells track chemical signals from surroundings. close look at blood cells shows cells pick up tiny differences between front & back ends. differences tell cell where to go. shows cell’s fibrous skeleton plays direct role in how cells sense chemical trails. W/out skeleton, cell doesn’t know which way to go …

By transforming human scar cells into blood vessel cells, scientists at Houston Methodist may have discovered a new way to repair damaged tissue. The method appeared to improve blood flow, oxygenation, and nutrition to areas of need…

… taken proteins from nerve cells & used 2 create “smart” material extremely sensitive 2 environment. marriage of materials science & biology give birth 2 flexible, sensitive coating easy & cheap 2 manufacture in large quantities … lead 2 new types of biological sensors, flow valves & controlled drug release systems. Biomedical applications include microfluidic devices can handle & process very small volumes of liquid, ~samples of saliva or blood, 4 diagnostics. convergence of biomimetic materials, biomolecular engineering & synthetic biology … smart, protein-based materials structural principles inspired by networks found in living cells … set out 2 create biological version of synthetic coating used in everyday liquid products, such as paint & liquid cosmetics, 2 keep small particles from clumping together. synthetic coatings ~polymer brushes because bristle-like appearance when attached 2 particle surface. create biological equivalent of polymer brush, turned 2 neurofilaments, pipe cleaner-shaped proteins found in nerve cells. acting as tiny, cylindrical polymer brushes, neurofilaments collectively assemble into structural network helps keep 1 end of nerve cell propped open so conduct electrical signals … in biology, precision critical. Proteins generally synthesized w/exact same sequence every time; length & biochemical order of protein sequence affects all properties, including structure & ability 2 bind 2 other molecules & catalyze biochemical reactions. kind of sequence precision difficult if not impossible 2 achieve in laboratory using tools of chemical synthesis. harnessing precision of biology & letting bacterial cell do work, able 2 control exact length & sequence of bristles of protein brush. showed protein brushes could be grafted onto surfaces, & dramatically expand & collapse in reaction 2 changes in acidity & salinity. Materials environmentally sensitive in way referred 2 as “smart” materials because of ability 2 adaptively respond 2 specific stimuli …

… anyone experienced problems making out voice of person next 2 them in crowded room felt effects of reduced ribbon synapses. also anyone experienced temporary reduction in hearing after loud concert. damage caused by noise – over lifetime or just 1 evening – reduces ability of hair cells 2 talk 2 brain via ribbon synapse connections w/nerve cells … turned on NT3 genes which triggered supporting cells 2 make more protein … mice w/extra NT3 regained hearing over period of 2 weeks, & able 2 hear much better than mice w/out extra NT3 production …