News Type: Research
Little tissue, big mission: Beating heart tissues to ride aboard the ISS
Launching no earlier than March 6, Johns Hopkins University will send heart muscle tissues, contained in a specially-designed tissue chip the size of a small cellphone, up to the microgravity environment of the International Space Station for one month of observation.
Nanosize device ‘uncloaks’ cancer cells in mice and reveals them to the immune system
Scientists at Johns Hopkins report they have designed and successfully tested an experimental, super small package able to deliver molecular signals that tag implanted human cancer cells in mice and make them visible for destruction by the animals' immune systems. The new method was developed, say the researchers, to deliver an immune system "uncloaking" device directly to cancer cells.
CRISPR gene cuts may offer new way to chart human genome
In search of new ways to sequence human genomes and read critical alterations in DNA, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have successfully used the gene cutting tool CRISPR to make cuts in DNA around lengthy tumor genes, which can be used to collect sequence information.
Little Size Holds Big Impact: Johns Hopkins Scientists Develop Nanocontainer to Ship Titan-Size Gene Therapies and Drugs Into Cells
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine report they have created a tiny, nanosize container that can slip inside cells and deliver protein-based medicines and gene therapies of any size — even hefty ones attached to the gene-editing tool called CRISPR.
Personalized simulations lead to more accurate, successful treatment for common heart rhythm disorder
Natalia Trayanova and other scientists at Johns Hopkins have successfully created personalized digital replicas of the upper chambers of the heart and used them to guide the precise treatment of patients suffering from persistent irregular heartbeats. These simulations accurately identified where clinicians need to destroy tissue to restore the heart’s normal rhythm.
Test shown to improve accuracy in identifying precancerous pancreatic cysts
In a proof-of-concept study, an international scientific team led by Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center researchers has shown that a laboratory test using artificial intelligence tools has the potential to more accurately sort out which people with pancreatic cysts will go on to develop pancreatic cancers.
A snapshot in time: Study captures fleeting genetic mutations that can alter disease risk
A study examines stem cells as they differentiate into heart muscle cells, finding that small, fleeting genetic mutations can affect disease risk over time.
Drug crystals to prevent medical device fibrosis
Working with researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Joshua Doloff has devised a new way to prevent medical device fibrosis.
Brain changes linked with Alzheimer’s years before symptoms appear
In a records review of 290 people at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, scientists at Johns Hopkins say they have identified an average level of biological and anatomical brain changes linked to Alzheimer’s disease that occur three to 10 years — some even more than 30 years — before the disease’s first recognizable symptoms appear.
‘Google Maps’ for cancer: Image-based computer model reveals finer details of tumor blood flow behavior
Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers develop an image-based computer model of tumor behavior that captures more of the complexity of cancer growth.
Johns Hopkins teams up with U.C. Davis and Save the Redwoods League to sequence the first coast redwood genome
Steven Salzberg, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins University, collaborated with researchers from the University of California, Davis and Save the Redwoods League to successfully sequence the coast redwood and giant sequoia genomes.
Scientists advance creation of ‘artificial lymph node’ to fight cancer, other diseases
In a proof-of-principle study in mice, PhD candidate John Hickey and scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine report the creation of a specialized gel that acts like a lymph node to successfully activate and multiply cancer-fighting immune system T-cells.
After returning from space, astronaut has no lingering, major epigenetic differences from earthbound twin brother
In a landmark study, a group of U.S. scientists from Johns Hopkins, Stanford University and other institutions has found no long-lasting, major differences between the epigenomes of astronaut Scott Kelly, who spent a year in space aboard the International Space Station, and his twin brother, Mark, who remained on Earth.
Experimental drug delivers one-two punch to vision loss
In studies with lab-grown human cells and in mice, Aleksander Popel and other Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have found that an experimental drug may be twice as good at fighting vision loss as previously thought.
Mini microscope is the new GoPro for studies of brain disease in living mice
Working with mice, a team of Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers has developed a relatively inexpensive, portable mini microscope that could improve scientists’ ability to image the effects of cancer, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions in the brains of living and active mice over time.
New computer program reduces spine surgery errors linked to “wrong level” labeling
Researchers at Johns Hopkins report that a computer program they designed may help surgeons identify and label spinal segments during real time operating room procedures and avoid the costly and potentially debilitating consequences of operating on the wrong segment.
Study defines differences among brain neurons that coincide with psychiatric conditions
In a new study focusing on four regions of normal human brain tissue, Johns Hopkins scientists have found about 13,000 regions of epigenetic differences between neurons in different brain regions that vary by at least 10 percent.
How the brain decides whether to hold ’em or fold ’em
A team led by Sridevi Sarma, associate professor of biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins, has found that the decision to “up the ante” even in the face of long odds is the result of an internal bias that adds up over time and involves a “push-pull” dynamic between the brain’s two hemispheres.
Sweet Sensation
When graduate student Luke Osborn needed to test the fingertip sensors he’d spent years developing for prosthesis wearers, he didn’t have far to look. The ensuing collaboration and results hold big promise for amputees.
The richer the reward, the faster you’ll likely move to reach it, study shows
If you are wondering how long you personally are willing to stand in line to buy that hot new holiday gift, scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine say the answer may be found in the biological rules governing how animals typically forage for food and other rewards.
Widely used reference for the human genome is missing 300 million bits of DNA
In a new analysis, Johns Hopkins scientists say that the collective genomes of 910 people of African descent have a large chunk — about 300 million bits — of genetic material missing from the basic reference genome.
Do Robot Swarms Work Like Brains?
A new Johns Hopkins study explores navigation similarities between the mind and robot swarms.
Identical driver gene mutations found in metastatic cancers
Driver genes in different metastases from the same patient are remarkably similar, providing optimism for the success of future targeted therapies, according to a published study by Science.
3D virtual simulation gets to the ‘heart’ of irregular heartbeats
In a proof of concept study, scientists at Johns Hopkins report they have successfully performed 3D personalized virtual simulations of the heart to accurately identify where cardiac specialists should electrically destroy cardiac tissue to stop potentially fatal irregular and rapid heartbeats in patients with scarring in the heart.
Scientists create nano-size packets of genetic code aimed at brain cancer ‘seed’ cells
In a “proof of concept” study, scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have successfully delivered nano-size packets of genetic code called microRNAs to treat human brain tumors implanted in mice.
New ‘E-Dermis’ Brings Sense of Touch, Pain to Prosthetic Hands
The electronic ‘skin’ will enable amputees to perceive through prosthetic fingertips.
Grant Funds Collaborative Project to Find New Treatments for Liver Cancer
Researchers with the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine received a $3 million grant to use computational modeling and software to understand biological data, in combination with unique in vitro and animal studies, to better treat liver cancer.
C-Arms Bring 3-D to the OR
Jeff Siewerdsen and his team are advancing imaging technologies that will make surgery more precise and improve patient safety.
Decoding the brain’s learning machine
Uncovering the cerebellum’s “language” reveals workings of a biological learning machine
When There’s an Audience, People’s Performance Improves
Often people think performing in front of others will make them mess up, but a new study led by a Johns Hopkins University neuroscientist found the opposite: being watched makes people do better.