New gene delivery vehicle shows promise for human brain gene therapy

ENG: In a significant advancement for gene therapy targeting brain diseases, scientists at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have developed a novel gene-delivery vehicle. This vehicle is designed to efficiently transport therapeutic genes across the blood-brain barrier—a critical obstacle in treating neurological conditions. The researchers utilized a human protein to facilitate this process, enabling the delivery of a disease-relevant gene to the brain in mice. Their successful approach, which capitalizes on the human transferrin receptor highly expressed in the blood-brain barrier, presents a promising potential for application in human patients.

Credit: Deverman lab
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“Seeing the Invisible”: New Tech Enables Deep Tissue Imaging During Surgery

ENG: Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is an advanced technique that gathers detailed spectral information at each pixel, beyond what the human eye can perceive. Unlike traditional cameras, which capture light at specific wavelengths, HSI systems can detect a broad spectrum of light, including near-infrared (NIR) ranges. This allows for the precise differentiation and analysis of materials based on their unique spectral signatures. Especially valuable in fields like food safety and industrial quality control, NIR-HSI offers non-destructive testing by examining the composition of objects and visualizing features not visible to the naked eye.

Credit: Hiroshi Takemura from Tokyo University of Science
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UW–Madison researchers first to 3D-print functional human brain tissue

ENG: A groundbreaking achievement has emerged from the laboratories of the University of Wisconsin–Madison as scientists have successfully developed the world’s first 3D-printed brain tissue that exhibits the remarkable ability to grow and function similarly to typical human brain tissue. This remarkable advancement is poised to revolutionize the field of neuroscience and provide valuable insights for researchers working on treatments for various neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Led by Su-Chun Zhang, a professor of neuroscience and neurology at UW–Madison’s Waisman Center, this novel approach to 3D printing brain tissue promises to deepen our understanding of brain cell communication, stem cell biology, and the underlying causes of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Credit: Xueyan Li
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