Home
Focus Areas
About Us
Researchers at University College London have developed 3D-printed sensors that can measure the forces needed to form the spinal cord in chicken embryos.
The development could help researchers better understand congenital disabilities such as spina bifida, which affects one in 2,000 newborns in Europe every year, reports the Telegraph.
"These defects cannot be fully explained by molecular and genetic studies alone," says the lead author of the study, published in Nature Materials.
"It opens the door to new prevention and treatment strategies for central nervous system malformations."
The sensors, which are about a tenth of the weight of a human eyelash, attach to the embryonic spinal cord using lasers.
They measure the forces needed to form the spinal cord, which is tiny and delicate, explains Phys.org.
"These forces must be stronger than the opposing hostile forces for normal development," says the researcher.
"By these forces, researchers can explore drugs that increase positive forces or decrease negative ones to help prevent congenital disabilities like spina bifida."
Selected Grant News Headlines
A customized collection of grant news from foundations and the federal government from around the Web.
"Having access to a healthy breakfast is critically important for children to focus, learn, grow, and engage in school, and having access to a free healthy breakfast is equally important to families...more
Noa Gerassi is executive director of the Lux Center, promoting Jewish-Catholic dialogue.Gerassi started The Equalizer in 2009 as a volunteer-run soccer team for Jerusalem boys at risk."I'm a very...more
"We've got such a diverse range of projects, everything from domestic violence through to young people in school learning about what it means to be a driver through to men's sheds through to...more
The idea of a "quantum Internet" is a long way off, but a new project in the UK could make it a reality within a decade. The National Quantum Computing Center, which opened in December, is a...more
Addressing the Lab Technologist Shortage through Innovation and Collaboration.A multi-faceted approach incorporating innovation, enhanced safety measures, and continuous education can help build a...more
India's Ministry of Ayush has declared Oct. 29 of each year as "Ayurveda Innovations for Global Health" in an effort "to showcase Ayurveda's potential to improve global health through innovative...more
ROCKAWAY Soda aims to capture the energy of the street-to-beach lifestyle.Available in bold, refreshing flavors like Berry Hibiscus, Lemon Lemongrass, Watermelon Guava and Pineapple...more
Al-Borg Diagnostics showcased its latest solutions and technologies at the Global Health Forum in Riyadh.Announcements were also made regarding new partnerships with leading global health...more
India's government has unveiled a plan that it says will make the country a world leader in medical research, Quartz reports. The Department of Health's 2024-29 Action Plan for Medical Research...more
The WA Health Hackathon 2024 saw participants devise solutions to some of the challenges facing the state's healthcare system.The Hackathon was hosted by the Curtin University based WA Data Science...more
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
Colombian Social Entrepreneur Hopes to Shake and Change the World
Young at 24, Juan David Aristizabal Ospina is a social entrepreneur who founded Buena Nota, a platform that accentuates social entrepreneurs and citizens in Colombia making positive changes and raising awareness about social problems that need to be addressed.
