Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University

DNA Nanoswitch Protocol 

Using Human Organ Chips, researchers at the Wyss Institute were able to generate the mucus layer of the colon in vitro, which has never been done before. In the colon, the mucus layer protects intestinal epithelial cells against inflammatory stimuli such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. The ability to support mucus-producing cells is one step towards modeling inflammatory bowel diseases in vitro.
 
For more information, please visit: https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/investigating-the-human-intestinal-mucus-barrier-up-close-and-personal/
 
Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University

Mucus Layer In Vitro on Human Colon Chip

What if we could create clothing that harnesses synthetic biology to detect the wearer’s exposure to toxins and pathogens? A team of researchers at the Wyss Institute and M.I.T. did just that by​embedding freeze-dried, synthetic biology-based sensors into flexible materials and textiles. These sensors can detect pathogens such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus and toxins such as nerve gas, creating the first programmable biohybrid garments. 

For more information, please visit: https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/face-masks-that-can-diagnose-covid-19/

Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University

Wearable Synthetic Biology - Clothing that can detect pathogens and toxins

Using freeze-dried cell free reactions and CRISPR-based biosensors, researchers at the Wyss Institute and M.I.T. have created a face mask that can detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a wearer’s breath in under 90 minutes. Such a mask would allow medical professionals to quickly identify COVID-19 patients and begin effective treatments. This facemask is a proof-of-concept for the research team’s Wearable Synthetic Biology platform and could be adapted to detect other pathogens and toxins.

For more information, please visit:https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/face-masks-that-can-diagnose-covid-19/

Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University

Beating Back the Coronavirus - COVID-19 detecting face mask

This animation explains how Wyss Institute researchers and their industry partners aim to identify novel transport targets and shuttle compounds to enable more effective delivery of drugs to the brain. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University. Learn more at: https://wyss.harvard.edu/collaboration/brain-targeting-program/

Wyss Institute Brain Targeting Program

Eardrum perforations are a widespread problem affecting millions worldwide. Current standard of care is invasive, involves harvesting an autologous tissue to patch the eardrum, and often requires to revision surgeries, while hearing outcomes remain unsatisfying. What if we could program the eardrum to repair itself after injury? Researchers at the Wyss Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and Harvard SEAS have designed a novel easy-to-use device, using biomimetic and biodegradable materials and 3D printing techniques, which functions as a temporary patch that allows native eardrum tissue to grow over it to provide long-lasting tympanic membrane reconstruction.

For more information, please visit: https://wyss.harvard.edu/technology/phonograft-3d-printed-tympanic-membrane-graft

Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University

PhonoGraft - Programming the eardrum to repair itself

Melanoma is a very severe cancer that is often diagnosed too late to save patients' lives, and most people do not regularly visit a dermatologist for skin exams. Early-stage identification of suspicious pigmented lesions (SPLs), ideally by primary care providers, could lead to improved melanoma prognosis. Researchers at the Wyss Institute and MIT have developed a deep learning algorithm that can differentiate SPLs from non-cancerous skin marks in wide-field images of patients' skin, such as those taken with a tablet or cellphone. This method could enable improved patient triaging, reduced medical costs, and earlier treatment of melanoma.

For more information, please visit: https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/identifying-ugly-ducklings-to-catch-skin-cancer-earlier/

Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University

Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University

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