https://phys.org/nanotech-news/bio-medicine/ en-us The latest science news on nanobiology, nano medicine, nanotechnology, nanoscience, and nanotech. A research team led by Professor Yong Taik Lim at the SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology (SAINT), Sungkyunkwan University, have developed an engineered nanoplatform named t-SMC (trained immunity-mediated splenic myelopoiesis converter), which precisely targets the spleen to reverse splenic myelopoiesis toward an antitumoral immune phenotype. The research is published in the journal Advanced Materials. https://phys.org/news/2026-09-bacterial-nanoplatform-reprograms-spleen-immune.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 03 Sep 2026 12:00:06 EDT news707649213 For children born with cleft lip and palate, repairing gaps in the jawbone often means waiting until they are 10 to 12 years old before undergoing invasive bone graft surgery. University of Sydney researchers have developed a biodegradable "nanobone" material that allows the body to harness its own healing properties to regrow bone, offering a potential future alternative to procedures that have changed little in more than 50 years. https://phys.org/news/2026-09-biodegradable-nanobone-day-regrow-bone.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 03 Sep 2026 01:00:02 EDT news707586601 RNA-based therapeutics use RNA as a blueprint that enables cells to produce specific proteins—including proteins that can precisely modify genes. For this to work, the RNA must reach the inside of the cell intact. Delivery systems currently used for this purpose include virus-derived vehicles and lipid nanoparticles, tiny particles made of fat-like molecules. Both approaches have limitations. Researchers are therefore working on new mechanisms that can deliver RNA into cells more efficiently and, in the future, more selectively. https://phys.org/news/2026-09-ai-proteins-enable-generation-rna.html Bio & Medicine Wed, 02 Sep 2026 18:00:01 EDT news707581863 One of the major challenges in the quest to beat cancer is developing treatments that can selectively destroy cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. With this in mind, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) have devised a gold nanorod-based platform that delivers therapeutic agents specifically to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a structure responsible for protein production and processing within cells, while also generating heat when exposed to near-infrared light. https://phys.org/news/2026-09-harnessing-gold-nanorods-cancer-therapy.html Bio & Medicine Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:10:01 EDT news707585822 Influenza viruses constantly shapeshift to evade recognition by the immune system. This shapeshifting occurs in critical proteins like hemagglutinin (HA), which controls how the virus attaches to human cells before entering them. Influenza viruses can evade immunity in two major ways: through the gradual accumulation of mutations that make HA harder for the immune system to recognize or through reassortment events that can introduce substantially different viral proteins and potentially lead to flu pandemics. To address this challenge, seasonal flu vaccines remain the primary approach because they can be developed to target the flu viruses circulating most predominantly in a given season. https://phys.org/news/2026-09-amino-acid-swap-nanoparticle-vaccine.html Bio & Medicine Tue, 01 Sep 2026 19:20:04 EDT news707502181 Researchers use tightly focused laser beams to image biological samples, shape materials with microscopic precision and generate displays. But using those beams in three dimensions requires more than sweeping light from side to side, as the light must also rapidly refocus at different depths. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-tiny-mirror-3d-microscopes-smaller.html Bio & Medicine Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:20:02 EDT news707393521 In a promising milestone for nanotechnology, Constructor University has contributed to a study demonstrating self-assembling nanopores capable of detecting disease proteins associated with illnesses like Parkinson's and ALS. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-flexible-nanopores-parkinson-als.html Bio & Medicine Mon, 31 Aug 2026 09:40:11 EDT news707385721 A research team led by Sungwon Lee, a professor in the Department of Physics and Chemistry at DGIST, developed a hierarchical nano-on-nano structure by directly growing graphene nanowalls (GNWs) on polymer nanofibers and successfully used the structure to enhance the sensing performance of wearable gas sensors. The technology is expected to be applied to next-generation wearable sensors for real-time monitoring of individuals' breathing environments or hazardous gases in industrial settings. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-breathable-smart-sensor-real-hazardous.html Bio & Medicine Fri, 28 Aug 2026 13:40:02 EDT news707136781 Researchers at Delft University of Technology have demonstrated for the first time that nano-antennas can enhance the fluorescence of proteins in living human and other mammalian cells. Scientists already use smart fluorescent proteins that light up when the electrical voltage across a nerve cell changes. By placing nano-antennas close to these light-emitting proteins, researchers can monitor processes inside cells with much greater precision. The discovery adds a new tool for revealing electrical signals in the brain through nanotechnology as well as genetic engineering. The research has been published in Advanced Materials. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-nano-antennas-cells-brighter-faster.html Bio & Medicine Fri, 28 Aug 2026 12:20:01 EDT news707135401 The COVID vaccine is perhaps the first thing many people think of when they hear about mRNA-based drugs. Small packages of genetic material are sent into the body, prompting cells to produce useful proteins in the fight against the virus. But the list of diseases that can potentially be treated with mRNA-based drugs is much broader than vaccines. mRNA is expected to be used to treat disorders including cardiovascular diseases, rare hereditary diseases and autoimmune diseases—and not least, cancer. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-petri-dish-tomorrow-drugs-human.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:00:01 EDT news707054701 What does a clean room smell like? Many people say citrus, pine, or flowers because these fragrances are common in cleaning products. A research team led by Brandon Boor found that scent compounds in cleaning products—conventional and botanical essential oil-based—quickly react in the air, forming nanoparticles that can travel deep into the lungs if inhaled. To reduce exposure to this invisible pollution, the team suggests using unscented products, running exhaust fans, and avoiding ozone-generating devices while cleaning. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-scented-cleaners-nanoparticles-deep-lungs.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:00:03 EDT news706883273 The adult human brain has limited capacity to repair or regenerate neurons lost to Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of dementia. Existing treatments can slow disease progression but do not reverse cognitive decline. In a study published in the journal Cell Biomaterials on Aug. 26, researchers show that engineered nanoparticles can not only regenerate neurons in human brain organoids but also restore neural circuits and improve cognition in mice. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-nanoparticles-neuroregeneration-alzheimer-disease.html Bio & Medicine Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:00:16 EDT news706802041 A new nanoparticle vaccine could one day give patients immunity to the flu with fewer trips to the doctor and without requiring health officials to correctly guess which flu strains will become dominant each year. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-nanoparticle-flu-vaccine-influenza-strains.html Bio & Medicine Mon, 24 Aug 2026 05:00:03 EDT news706523163 Biomolecular nanomachines, such as enzymes and molecular motors, are the workhorses behind the synthesis and organization of complex materials in life. Powered by chemical energy, they build, transport and organize biomolecules, allowing living systems to create and maintain highly ordered structures far from thermodynamic equilibrium. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-dynamic-duo-hierarchical-dna-materials.html Bio & Medicine Sat, 22 Aug 2026 15:00:01 EDT news706360039 Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant subtypes of breast cancer, accounting for 15% to 20% of all cases. Unlike other breast cancers, TNBC lacks targetable receptors, leaving patients dependent largely on chemotherapy, with limited treatment options. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-blood-camouflaged-nanoparticles-defeat-drug.html Bio & Medicine Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:40:03 EDT news706523702 In a new study, scientists from Johns Hopkins Medicine report that an experimental mRNA-based platform has the potential to help deliver next-generation mRNA therapeutics, including vaccines to fight infectious diseases, cancer and autoimmune conditions, faster and more efficiently than the industry standard. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-alternative-mrna-modification-ribosomes-fast.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 20 Aug 2026 16:30:01 EDT news706460581 Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, have developed a nanoparticle that can address the various factors hindering the healing of chronic wounds, which include ulcers associated with diabetes and pressure ulcers common among bedridden individuals. These wounds, which may persist for months or even years, affect about 1% to 2% of the population and represent a significant public health concern because they increase the risk of infection and amputation and significantly impair patients' quality of life. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-nanoparticle-combines-strategies-chronic-wounds.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 20 Aug 2026 11:40:07 EDT news706439401 A new Northwestern Medicine study has uncovered key molecular design principles that could help supramolecular therapeutics cross the blood-brain barrier, a major challenge for this novel approach to treating neurological disorders. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-supramolecular-therapies-blood-brain-barrier.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 20 Aug 2026 11:20:03 EDT news706438405 Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan in collaboration with FUJIFILM have developed a novel way of delivering circular RNA (cirRNA) into cells, paving the way for longer-lasting mRNA-based therapeutics including cancer vaccines and GLP-1 obesity treatments. The research is published in Cell Biomaterials. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-lipid-nanoparticle-capped-circular-rna.html Bio & Medicine Wed, 19 Aug 2026 11:00:21 EDT news706201501 Red blood cells serve as the foundation for nanocarriers that show promise in a new study as effective and efficient vehicles for gene therapy, tumor targeting and other medical treatments. Scientists at The Ohio State University have showed that the engineered extracellular vesicles could evade immune cells and target cancer cells, two capabilities that could improve the delivery of future therapies. The study is published in Advanced Healthcare Materials. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-red-blood-cells-generation-therapeutic.html Bio & Medicine Mon, 17 Aug 2026 19:00:01 EDT news706192142 Children and seniors who have difficulty chewing and swallowing conventional tablets may have an easier way to find pain relief. Cornell researchers have developed an ultrafast-dissolving nanofiber film that can deliver a cocktail of three drugs so quickly and effectively that 90% of the formulation is released in less than two seconds. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-nanofiber-pain-drugs-seconds.html Bio & Medicine Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:40:03 EDT news706188302 Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative brain disorder characterized by progressive memory loss and a decline in other mental functions. Past studies have consistently linked this disorder to the accumulation of the protein amyloid-β (Aβ) between brain cells, ultimately resulting in the formation of so-called amyloid plaques. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-gold-nanoclusters-alzheimer-amyloid-plaques.html Bio & Medicine Mon, 17 Aug 2026 10:00:01 EDT news706177996 A research team led by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory has developed a new material that combines inorganic material with biological components to produce hydrogen peroxide more efficiently. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-layered-nano-biohybrid-sunlight-air.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 13 Aug 2026 19:20:02 EDT news705851881 A vaccine's molecular structure plays a key role in determining how the immune system responds and prepares to protect the body from future exposure to a specific pathogen. To develop a vaccine that offers long-term protection from HIV, it's essential to promote a long-lasting immune response in which immune cells and antibodies prepared to combat the virus persist within the body. This has inspired scientists to find ways to alter vaccine structure to increase the duration and persistence of the immune response. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-fine-tune-molecular-vaccines-immune.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:10:02 EDT news705858421 The tiny bones in your fingers withstand countless taps and swipes thanks to a precise blend of materials. Flexible collagen fibers form the framework, reinforced by hard calcium phosphate hydroxyapatite crystals. This is just one of countless examples in which living organisms weave organic materials directly into inorganic crystals with exquisite precision. In a recent study published in Nature Communications, scientists attempted to recreate such precise spatial arrangements in biomimetic composite materials. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-protein-nanoparticles-crystals-enabling.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:40:02 EDT news705724225 Venous malformations are abnormally shaped veins that develop when the cells lining blood vessels grow too fast when they aren't supposed to. Children can be born with them, and as the child grows, the venous malformations can get bigger. Venous malformations are a type of vascular malformation that can range from small and superficial to disfiguring, debilitating or even life-threatening. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-drug-nanoparticles-venous-malformations-mice.html Bio & Medicine Wed, 12 Aug 2026 19:20:01 EDT news705763561 The use of nanoparticles in drug delivery offers key advantages: they can enable targeted drug delivery, protect active ingredients from premature degradation, extend their duration of action in the body and reduce side effects. However, as soon as nanoparticles come into contact with blood, proteins from the blood adsorb onto their surface—forming a so-called protein corona. This corona influences whether the particles are taken up by cells, how they distribute in the body or whether the immune system recognizes and attacks them. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-nanoparticles-bloodstream.html Bio & Medicine Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:40:01 EDT news705746401 Transporting molecules across biological membranes is essential for life. In nature, this can occur through passive transport, known as diffusion. "Biological systems often use mechanical motion to accomplish tasks that cannot be achieved by diffusion alone," says Professor Laura Na Liu, director of the 2nd Physics Institute at the University of Stuttgart. For example, certain bacteria use extracellular contractile injection systems. These molecular nanomachines puncture target cells and deliver molecular cargo. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-dna-origami-nanosyringe-molecules-synthetic.html Bio & Medicine Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:00:01 EDT news705666602 A joint research team—led by professor Young Seok Cho from the School of Medicine, alongside professor James J. Moon from the University of Michigan—has developed the world's first oral, microbiome-based nanomedicine. By leveraging natural metabolites produced by gut bacteria, the new drug significantly enhances immune cells' ability to attack cancer cells. The study was published in Nature Nanotechnology. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-oral-nanomedicine-cancer-immunotherapy-harnessing.html Bio & Medicine Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:40:03 EDT news705663844 Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and SciLifeLab have developed a new method to analyze the condition of immune cells in the blood. The method has been tested on patients with atherosclerosis and can distinguish their immune cells from those of healthy individuals. The study is published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology. https://phys.org/news/2026-08-fluorescent-nanosensors-distinguish-healthy-diseased.html Bio & Medicine Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:40:04 EDT news705235081