Technology & Society
Super-interesting use of 3D printing. Self-healing plastic modeled on the human body. The next remake of Robocop should definitely include this tech. From the WSJ: “In their demonstration, the scientists managed to close the equivalent of a bullet hole more
The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) has just announced that it has created cells with an expanded genetic alphabet — an X and a Y added to the regular ACTG of DNA. This is a huge win for the field of
I was honored to be on a panel tonight with tissue engineering pioneer Dr. Anthony Atala, Patient advocate Katie Jackson, and science artist Kelly Milukas. It was a fun panel and a great discussion about how to get more community
More good news from the regenerative medicine scene. One of the studies was conducted by Dr. Stephen Badylak, whose work was profiled in my book. Here’s the story from USA Today: Two new studies out today show both the incredible
“Age should no longer determine the appropriate end of a working life,” writes the Economist Magazine. This seems reasonable to me, especially given that people are healthier now than ever before (and thus able to work longer). But as the
The Regenerative Medicine Foundation is hosting a conference in Berkeley next week that looks fantastic. If you attend, you will see big stars in the field like Anthony Atala and William Haseltine. I will be speaking Monday night.
Hillary Clinton may run for president in 2016, and if she does, questions about her age will come up. This is a nice analysis explaining why if she “were to win in 2016, Clinton would take office with the longest
In an exciting new trial at the University of Kansas Medical Center, deaf patients will get an injection of a virus containing a gene that should trigger the regrowth of the sensory receptors in the ear. The therapy has already
Dr. Anthony Atala and his team at Wake Forest recently announced yet another organ-growing success, this time more complicated than before. As the WSJ reports: Scientists have successfully transplanted laboratory-made vaginas into four teenage girls whose own were absent because
The Financial Times recently published a column arguing that “70 is the new 50.” That sounds about right to me at the moment, but it won’t stay that way for long. Longevity and — more importantly — health is about
With a $10 million gift from the Li Ka Shing Foundation, Berkeley recently announced the formation of the Innovative Genomics Initiative (IGI). Its purpose is to “lead a revolution in genetic engineering based on a new technology already generating novel
UK scientists report that they have fully restored a degenerated organ in a living animal, a discovery that could pave the way for future human therapies. Professor Clare Blackburn from the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, at the University of
3D printing is creating all sorts of options for patients these days, including getting a customized replacement for skull bone. That was important for a 22-year-old woman who was facing certain death if she didn’t have the intervention because her
Here’s a recent article by tissue engineering pioneer Dr. Anthony Atala. He makes a great point that printing tissue is beneficial not just so doctors can replace parts, but also so that drugs can be put through better testing. He
Brain implants are on their way, say Dr. Gary Marcus of NYU and Dr. Christof Koch of the Allen Institute for Brain Science. “By the end of this century, and quite possibly much sooner, every input device that has ever
The Financial Times posted an interesting article about Craig Venter and his new longevity company, Human Longevity Inc. When the journalist asks him if his company is in competition with Google’s Calico (also set up to extend human healthspan), Venter
While this article by a young computer science major feels naively ageist (assumes that older engineers are ‘intimidated’ by newer code), he also makes some interesting points about culture clashes between generations. He says, “If you are 50, no matter
A fascinating story from the NYT: “[D]ecades of agricultural research has shown that antibiotics seem to flip a switch in young animals’ bodies, helping them pack on pounds.” “In the 1950s, a team of scientists fed a steady diet of
Dear readers, I hope you like the new design of this site. All the previous functions are still here, but it’s been updated with better colors and code. 🙂 Sonia
Dr. June’s team recently presented a new paper detailing the results of their T-cell therapy. Here’s a good write-up about it from Singularity Hub.