The world of tissue engineering has just taken a significant leap forward with the advent of Freeform Reversible Embedding of Suspended Hydrogels (FRESH) 3D bioprinting. This innovative technique, developed by Carnegie Mellon’s Feinberg lab, allows for the printing of soft living cells and tissues with unprecedented structural resolution and fidelity. The result is a microphysiologic system entirely made out of collagen, cells, and other proteins – a first-of-its-kind achievement that expands the capabilities of researchers to study disease and build tissues for therapy.

Traditionally, tiny models of human tissue have been made using synthetic materials like silicone rubber or plastics, but these cannot fully recreate normal biology. With FRESH bioprinting, researchers can now create microfluidic systems in a Petri dish entirely out of collagen, cells, and other proteins – a major breakthrough that will revolutionize the field.

“We’re hoping to better understand what we need to print,” said Adam Feinberg, a professor of biomedical engineering and materials science & engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. “Ultimately, we want the tissue to better mimic the disease of interest or ultimately, have the right function, so when we implant it in the body as a therapy, it’ll do exactly what we want.”

The implications of this technology are vast, with potential applications in treating Type 1 diabetes and other diseases. FluidForm Bio, a Carnegie Mellon University spinout company, has already demonstrated that they can cure Type 1 diabetes in animal models using this technology, and plans to start clinical trials in human patients soon.

As Feinberg emphasized, “The work we’re doing today is taking this advanced fabrication capability and combining it with computational modeling and machine learning… We see this as a base platform for building more complex and vascularized tissue systems.”

With FRESH bioprinting, the possibilities are endless. This technology has the potential to change the face of medicine and improve countless lives. As researchers continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, one thing is certain – we will witness some incredible breakthroughs in the years to come.

Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type 2 is a congenital malformation of the cerebral cortex that often leads to difficult-to-treat epilepsy. This condition affects the way nerve cells and their layer structures are arranged in the brain, making it challenging for drug therapy to be effective. A recent study conducted by researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn, in collaboration with the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), has shed light on profound changes in the dopamine system associated with FCD type 2.

The research team, led by doctoral student Norisa Meli, found that the dopaminergic supply in the affected brain areas is altered. Furthermore, an increased expression of certain dopamine receptors was observed both in human tissue and a corresponding mouse model. These findings suggest a disrupted dopaminergic system in FCD type 2.

The changes in the dopamine system could play a crucial role in the development of epileptic seizures, which often accompany this condition. Moreover, many individuals with FCD type 2 experience concentration problems or mood swings, highlighting the complex neuropathology involved.

Professors Sandra Blaess and Albert Becker emphasized that dopamine modulates the excitability of neuronal networks and their formation in the developing cortex. Their results demonstrate that this modulation may be disturbed in FCD type 2, a previously underinvestigated aspect of the condition.

The study combines comprehensive molecular analyses of human tissue samples with a preclinical mouse model replicating the genetic changes in FCD type 2. The researchers hope that these findings will contribute to more targeted and effective treatment strategies in the long term.

The work was funded by the German Research Foundation, the BONFOR program of the Medical Faculty of the University of Bonn, the iBehave project (Netzwerke 2021 — an initiative of the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia). Additionally, the work was supported by the Epilepsy Surgery Biobank of the Medical Faculty of the University of Bonn and the Open Access funding of the University of Bonn.

The world has long been aware of the importance of protein in our diets. However, research has shown that not all proteins are created equal when it comes to longevity. A groundbreaking study by experts at the University of Sydney has found that countries which consume more plant-based proteins have longer adult life expectancies.

Published in Nature Communications, Dr. Alistair Senior and his team analyzed food supply and demographic data from 101 countries between 1961-2018. They corrected the data to account for population size and wealth, revealing a fascinating mixed picture when it comes to comparing the health impacts of meat versus plant-based protein at a population level.

For infants under five, a diet rich in animal-based proteins and fats resulted in lower rates of mortality. However, for adults, the reverse was true – a higher consumption of plant-based proteins led to increased overall life expectancy. This finding has significant implications for public health policies and individual dietary choices.

The researchers used publicly available data on food supply from 101 countries over a 60-year period. They analyzed the availability of calories, proteins, and fats in each country’s food system, taking into account differences in wealth and population size. Their results showed that countries with higher availability of plant-based proteins had relatively longer life expectancies.

This study adds to the growing body of evidence that plant-based diets are associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Plant-based protein sources like legumes, nuts, and whole grains have been linked to improved overall mortality rates and longevity in some of the world’s longest-lived communities.

As we consider the impact of our diets on both human health and the planet, it is essential to recognize the importance of plant-based protein as a crucial part of a healthy diet. By making informed choices about where we get our protein from, we can contribute to a longer, healthier life for ourselves and future generations.