Biotech & Synthetic Biology

In November of 2016 Nature reported that the results of experiments in Beijing, in which a wireless brain implant — that stimulates electrodes in the leg by recreating signals recorded from the brain — has enabled monkeys with spinal-cord injuries to walk. “They have demonstrated that the animals can regain …

Recent progress in central and peripheral neural interface technology has resulted in impressive capability demonstrations. These include the use of neural signals to control the reanimation of paralyzed muscles or to control high-dimensional prosthetic limbs, external robots, and even flight simulators. In many of these examples, sensory feedback from the …

Energy is the fuel for growth and life. Despite centuries of over-reliance on fossil-based energy sources with devastating effects on the planet, more environmentally friendly and renewable options keep emerging as suitable alternatives.   Hydrogen generation by water splitting has long attracted attention due to its zero-emission advantage. Each water …

Nowhere is prompt and effective medical treatment more important than on the battlefield, where injuries are severe and conditions dangerous. Soldiers are vulnerable to many injuries on the battlefield, the most common combat wounds include: Blast wounds caused by landmines, grenades, IEDs (improvised explosive devices), and suicide bombings where the …

Since ages the natural photosynthesis has sustained human civilization by providing food, fuel and the life sustaining environment, which is now threatened by the twin challenges of energy security and global warming. Researchers all over the world have turned to artificial photosynthesis for future sustainable life on this planet.  Artificial …

With nutritional status being central to success in battle, food technology has long been considered an enabler for military operations. Food technology has been instrumental in ensuring that troops remain “fit to fight”. Early military leaders realised that how well their men were fed played a crucial role in success …

Some parts of our bodies can repair themselves quite well after injury, but others don’t repair at all. We certainly can’t regrow a whole leg or arm, but some animals CAN regrow – or regenerate – whole body parts. So what can we learn from these regenerative animals? Regeneration means …

In recent weeks, concern over the emergence of a novel coronavirus in China has grown exponentially as media, experts and government officials around the world have openly worried that this new disease has the potential to develop into a global pandemic. As the ongoing coronavirus outbreak centered in China has spread …

The cities of today are built with concrete and steel between they are responsible for as much as a tenth of worldwide carbon emissions. Before they ever reach a construction site, both steel and concrete must be processed at very high temperatures – which take a lot of energy. And …

Plant Nanobionics seeks to use  designed nanoparticles to interface directly with plant cells and organelles to augment plant functions, as well as to introduce non-native functionalities. The broader vision is to create a wide array of wild-type plants,  capable of imaging objects in their environment, self powering themselves as light …