Landing therapeutic genes safely in the human genome

Jan 24, 2022 (Nanowerk News) Many future gene and cell therapies to treat diseases like cancer, rare genetic and other conditions could be enhanced in their efficacy, persistence, and predictability by so-called “genomic safe harbors (GSHs).” These are landing sites in the human genome able to safely accommodate new therapeutic...

New antimicrobial nanoparticle therapeutics to fight superbugs

Jan 24, 2022 (Nanowerk News) The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared antimicrobial resistance to be among the top 10 global public health threats. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) change over time and no longer respond to medicines, consequently infections become increasingly difficult or impossible...

Harnessing noise in optical computing for AI

Jan 24, 2022 (Nanowerk News) Artificial intelligence and machine learning are currently affecting our lives in a myriad of small but impactful ways. For example, AI and machine learning applications help to interpret voice commands given to our phones and electronic devices, such as Alexa, and recommend entertainment we might...

How robots learn to hike (w/video)

Jan 24, 2022 (Nanowerk News) Steep sections on slippery ground, high steps, scree and forest trails full of roots: the path up the 1,098-​metre-high Mount Etzel at the southern end of Lake Zurich is peppered with numerous obstacles. But ANYmal, the quadrupedal robot from the Robotic Systems Lab at ETH...

Novel hybrid nanocages for faster catalysis

Jan 24, 2022 (Nanowerk News) A novel hybrid ferritin nanocage with histidine residues shows 1.5 times higher metal ion uptake and improved catalytic efficiency for alcohol production, find researchers from Tokyo Tech in a new study. Their findings suggest that hybrid bio-nanocages could effectively catalyze reactions to yield industrially important...