Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University

DNA Nanoswitch Protocol 

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

Using deep learning to detect cancerous skin lesions

Responding to an unmet need for a robotic surgical device that is flexible enough to access hard to reach areas of the G.I. tract while causing minimal peripheral tissue damage, Researchers at the Wyss Institute and Harvard SEAS have developed a laser steering device that has the potential to improve surgical outcomes for patients. 

For more information, please visit: https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/wielding-a-laser-beam-deep-inside-the-body

Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University

A Laser Steering Device for Robot-assisted Surgery

Come join our Wyss community! We are bringing together world-class talent from different backgrounds, disciplines, industries and institutions in an open collaborative culture that empowers people to share their viewpoints and challenge their thinking to create novel solutions that change the world.

For more information on available opportunities at the Wyss Institute, please visit: https://wyss.harvard.edu/careers/

Join Our Community of Practical Dreamers

Pyrosomes are one of the few organisms known to exhibit bioluminescence in response to light. They are also very delicate, which makes them difficult to study. Scientists from the Wyss Institute have collaborated with marine biologists to create a soft robot that delicately handles pyrosomes so that they can be studied safely. Recently, the robot enabled researchers to identify a specific gene that seems to give pyrosomes, and potentially other animals, their bioluminescent ability. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University

Studying Pyrosome Bioluminescence

Current manufacturing methods release harmful greenhouse gases and pollution, and many of the products produced do not biodegrade, damaging our ecosystems even further. What if we could turn greenhouse gases into biodegradable products? Researchers at the Wyss Institute are using synthetic biology to make this a reality. For more information, please visit: https://wyss.harvard.edu/technology/circe-transforming-greenhouse-gases-into-biodegradable-products/ Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University

Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University

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