Georgia Tech Life Sciences and Biology News

Emory, Georgia Tech, Children’s Healthcare Collaborate on Kidney Device

Don Fernandez — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Physicians and researchers from Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Georgia Institute of Technology have teamed up to develop a kidney replacement device capable of treating children.

Device Enables World's First Voluntary Gorilla Blood Pressure Reading

Abby Vogel — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Zoo Atlanta recently became the first zoological institution in the world to obtain voluntary blood pressure readings from a gorilla. This was made possible by the Gorilla Tough Cuff developed by Georgia Tech students.

Nina Sawczuk Joins ATDC as Assistant Director for Biosciences

John Toon — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Veteran biosciences entrepreneur Nina Sawczuk has joined Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) as assistant director for biosciences. In this role, she will support the commercialization of bioscience innovation throughout the state of Georgia.

Montoya awarded $381K for study of Amazon influences on the Atlantic

Troy Hilley — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

GT Biology Professor Joe Montoya, in collaboration with a team of other researchers, has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation to study the influences of the Amazon River on the Atlantic.

Phil Sharp Presentation Available for Viewing in GT's Repository

Colly Mitchell — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Phil Sharp, IBB Distinguished Lecturer, gives talk entitled, "The Biology and Therapeutic Promise of Small RNAs" which can be viewed in GT's Institutional Repository

Systems Biology Reveals Diversity in Key Environmental Cleanup Microbe

Abby Vogel — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers analyzed the gene sequences, proteins expressed and physiology of 10 strains of bioremediation microbes called Shewanella. Results showed surprising diversity not seen using traditional microbiology approaches.

Cancer Biomarker Identification Software Tools Earn Certification

Abby Vogel — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Two new software programs that improve the process of identifying cancer biomarkers from gene expression data earned silver-level compatibility certification from the the National Cancer Institute’s cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid, also known as caBIG.

New Center Focuses on Personalized Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis

David Terraso — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Integrative Cancer Research Center (ICRC) at the Georgia Institute of Technology is joining forces with the Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development (CCRTD) at Clark Atlanta University (CAU) to establish a Collaborative Cancer Genomics Center (CCGC). The partnership will integrate expertise at both universities that will focus on understanding the underlying causes of prostate, ovarian, pancreatic and lung cancers.

Breaking Down, Building Up

Robert Nesmith — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Prosthetic and Orthotic Component Clearinghouse, or POCC (pronounced “pahk-see”), in Decatur takes in used or unwanted prosthetic pieces to break down the devices into their component parts, which are available at a reduced fee to physicians and prosthetics technicians traveling to international clinics.

Scientists Unlock Optical & Chemical Secrets of Jeweled Beetles

John Toon — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A small green beetle may have some interesting lessons to teach scientists about optics and liquid crystals -- complex mechanisms the insect uses to create a shell so strikingly beautiful that for centuries it was used in jewelry.

Study Reveals Sandfish Tucks Legs to Slither Like Snake Through Sand

Abby Vogel — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

In the first thorough examination of subsurface sandfish locomotion, researchers found that the small lizards place their limbs against their sides and create a wave motion like snakes to propel themselves through granular media.

Dr. Manu Platt Honored as Cancer Scholar

Don Fernandez — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Manu Platt, PhD, who joined the faculty of the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory in January, 2009, has been selected as one of the 19 Scholars named by the Georgia Cancer Coalition for its Distinguished Cancer Clinicians and Scientists program for 2009-10. He will receive $50,000 each year for 5 years to support his research efforts. The Coalition selects scientists engaged in the most promising areas of cancer research. Currently, Georgia Tech has 11 active Distinguished Cancer Scholars.

Study Reveals How Snakes Slither on Flat Terrain

Abby Vogel — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Snakes use both friction generated by their scales and redistribution of their weight to slither along flat surfaces, researchers at New York University and the Georgia Institute of Technology have found.

New Center Aims to Improve Recovery of Soldiers with Severe Injuries

Abby Vogel — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The new Georgia Tech Center for Advanced Bioengineering for Soldier Survivability is working to quickly move tools that are clinically valuable, safe and effective from laboratories to use in military trauma centers.

New Center Supports Growth of the Medical Device Industry

John Toon — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Four of Georgia’s leading research and health care organizations have joined together to create a new innovation center that will accelerate the development and commercialization of next-generation medical devices and medical technology.

Flu Vaccine Given in Microneedle Patches Proves Effective in Mice

John Toon — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Flu vaccine delivered through skin patches containing microneedles has proven just as effective at preventing influenza in mice as intramuscular, hypodermic flu immunization.

New Technique Analyzes Seaweed Chemical Defenses

John Toon — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A new analytical technique is helping scientists learn how organisms as simple as seaweed can mount complex chemical defenses to protect themselves from microbial threats such as fungus.

Researchers Develop New Way to See Single RNA Molecules in Live Cells

Abby Vogel — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Biomedical engineers have developed a new type of probe that allows them to visualize single RNA molecules within live cells more easily than existing methods. The tool will help scientists learn more about how RNA operates within living cells.

Researchers Develop Flow Sensors Based on Blind Fish Hair Structures

Abby Vogel — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The fish species Astyanax fasciatus cannot see, but their unique technique for sensing the movement of water around them with gel-covered hairs that extend from their bodies may inspire a new generation of sensors that perform better than active sonar.

Researchers Identify Genes for Thiostrepton, a Powerful Antibiotic

John Toon — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers have identified the genetic machinery responsible for synthesizing thiostrepton, a powerful antibiotic produced by certain bacteria. The drug is effective against the dangerous MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci.

New Technique Used to Profile Anthrax Genome

David Terraso — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Scientists at Georgia Tech have used a new approach, known as RNA-Seq, to profile the gene expression of the bacterium that causes anthrax. Their study marks the first time any bacterial transcriptome has been comprehensively defined.

Biologists Find Gene Network That Gave Rise to First Tooth

David Terraso — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have identified a set of genes that they believe was responsible for forming the first teeth in vertebrates.

New Class of Fluorescent Dyes Detects Reactive Oxygen Species

Abby Vogel — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

Researchers have created a new family of fluorescent probes called hydrocyanines that can be used to detect and measure the presence of reactive oxygen species -- superoxide and the hydroxide radical -- in cells, tissue and, for the first time, in vivo.

Georgia Tech and CDC Work to Improve Safety of Blood Supply

David Terraso — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

The Georgia Tech College of Computing, working in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has developed a Web-based tool for tracking blood safety. The tool is expected to help developing countries improve the adequacy and safety of their national blood supplies through better monitoring and evaluation.

Brain Reorganizes to Adjust for Loss of Vision

David Terraso — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

A new study from Georgia Tech shows that when patients with macular degeneration focus on using another part of their retina to compensate for their loss of central vision, their brain seems to compensate by reorganizing its neural connections.

Drug-embedded Microparticles Bolster Heart Function in Animal Studies

Don Fernandez — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers at Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology have developed tiny polymer beads that can slowly release anti-inflammatory drugs and break down into non-toxic components.

Robotic Technology Inspired by Service Dogs

Don Fernandez — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have engineered a biologically inspired robot that mirrors the actions of sought-after service dogs. Users verbally command the robot to complete a task and the robot responds once a basic laser pointer illuminates the location of the desired action.

Diversity of Plant-Eating Fish May be Key to Coral Reef Recovery

John Toon — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A report scheduled to be published this week in the early edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that maintaining the proper balance of herbivorous fishes may be critical to restoring coral reefs, which are declining dramatically worldwide.

Georgia Tech Creates Center for Bio-Imaging Mass Spectrometry

Abby Vogel — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Georgia Tech

Study Reveals How Multiple Viruses Can Determine Bacterial Cell Fate

Abby Vogel — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A new study suggests that bacteria-infecting viruses

Prosthetic Vein Valve Designed to Improve Venous Blood Flow

Abby Vogel — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Engineers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a prosthetic vein valve to help improve the lives of those suffering from a condition known as chronic venous insufficiency. The valve was designed to replace damaged, non-functioning valves.

Engineers Create Bone that Blends into Tendons

David Terraso — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Engineers at Georgia Tech have used skin cells to create artificial bones that mimic the ability of natural bone to blend into other tissues such as tendons or ligaments. The artificial bones provide for better integration with the body and handle weight more successfully.

Biodegradable Polymers May Improve Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases

Abby Vogel — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Biodegradable polymers called polyketals and their derivatives may improve treatment for such inflammatory illnesses as acute liver failure and inflammatory bowel disease by delivering drugs, proteins and enzymes to disease locations in the body.

Georgia Tech to Analyze Massive Data Sets Using Visual Analytics

Abby Vogel — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The Georgia Institute of Technology has received a five-year, $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Homeland Security to lead and coordinate a new initiative that will develop foundational research in massive data analysis and visual analytics.

Bioscience and Engineering Converge

Abby Vogel — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Marking its 10th anniversary this year, the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University continues to build its interdisciplinary programs to tackle the challenges of the 21st century, including cardiovascular disease, nerve injuries, neurological disorders and cancer.

Using Magnetic Nanoparticles to Combat Cancer

David Terraso — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Scientists at Georgia Tech have developed a potential new treatment against cancer that attaches magnetic nanoparticles to cancer cells, allowing them to be captured and carried out of the body. The treatment, which has been tested in the laboratory and will now be looked at in survival studies, is detailed online in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

New Titanium Coating Improves Joint Replacements

Abby Vogel — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Research at the Georgia Institute of Technology shows that coating a titanium implant with a new biologically inspired material enhances tissue healing, improves bone growth around the implant and strengthens the attachment and integration of the implant to the bone.

Automated Microfluidic Device Reduces Time to Screen Small Organisms

Abby Vogel — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Genetic studies on small organisms such as worms and flies can now be done more quickly using a new microfluidic device developed by engineers at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The microchip automatically positions, images and sorts small organisms.

Arms Race Against Junk DNA Shapes Genome Evolution

David Terraso — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Scientists at Georgia Tech have found supporting evidence for a theory they first created in the 1990s, that many of the components that make up our genes are the result of an arms race between the coding and the non-coding parts of the genome.

Grant Supports \"Intelligent Binoculars\" that Mimic the Human Brain

John Toon — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The Georgia Institute of Technology has received a contract to help develop

Computer Predicts Anti-Cancer Molecules

David Terraso — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A new computer-based method of analyzing cellular activity has correctly predicted the anti-tumour activity of several molecules. Research published today in BioMed Central

Public Funding Impacts Progress of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research

David Terraso — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Bolstered by supportive policies and public research dollars, the United Kingdom, Israel, China, Singapore and Australia are producing unusually large shares of human embryonic stem cell research. While states like California and New York are picking up more research funding in the U.S.

New Technology Puts Biomedical Imaging in Palm of Hands

Matthew Nagel — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a narrowband filter mosaic that will expand the uses and functionality of multispectral imaging

New Technique Measures Ultrashort Laser Pulses at Focus

Abby Vogel — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers have developed a system that measures aberrations caused by ultrashort laser pulses passing through lenses or other instrumentation. Knowing how the light is distorted allows researchers to correct for the aberrations.

Diatoms Discovered to Remove Phosphorus from Oceans

David Terraso — Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have discovered a new way that phosphorus is naturally removed from the oceans

Fast AFM Probes Measure Many Biomolecule or Material Properties

Abby Vogel — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers have developed novel atomic force microscopy (AFM) probes that can quickly and simultaneously measure biomolecule or material properties including adhesion, stiffness, elasticity and viscosity, in addition to the standard AFM topography scan.

Molecule delivery method improves embryonic stem cell differentiation

Abby Vogel — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

New research shows that delivering molecules within aggregates of embryonic stem cells via biodegradable microspheres enhances the efficiency and purity of differentiation.

Molecule Delivery Method Improves Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation

Abby Vogel — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

New research shows that delivering molecules within aggregates of embryonic stem cells via biodegradable microspheres enhances the efficiency and purity of differentiation.

Astronomy Technology Brings Nanoparticle Probes into Sharper Focus

Megan McRainey — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

Georgia Tech and Emory University researchers have created a technology based on astronomy software that provides more precise images of single molecules tagged with nanoprobes. The clearer images allow researchers to collect more detailed information about a single molecule, such as how the molecule is binding in a gene sequence, taking scientists a few steps closer to truly personalized and predictive medicine as well as more complex biomolecular structural mapping.

Research Uncovers the Social Dynamics of Yellow Jackets

Abby Vogel — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

New research uncovers the social dynamics of yellow jackets, which includes multiple sex partners, extreme cooperation and a caste system. Results show that multiple mating does not cause conflict within a colony, but instead creates a more successful colony. The researchers also found that certain genes are turned on or off to create the different castes.

Peptide Discovered in Scorpion Venom May Be Key to Secretory Diseases

Abby Vogel — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

Researchers have discovered a peptide in scorpion venom that may hold the key to understanding and controlling cystic fibrosis and other secretory diseases. The novel peptide, called GaTx1, can control the movement of ions and water out of cells by interacting with a crucial chloride channel that is commonly mutated in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Georgia Tech Researchers Help Shut Down Drug Counterfeiters

John Toon — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

Georgia Institute of Technology researchers were part of a three-continent, multi-organizational effort known as

Ga Tech Creates Integrative BioSystems Institute

Megan McRainey — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

Georgia Tech has created the Integrative BioSystems Institute to explore new technologies and methods to collect and analyze millions of pieces of biological information in order to form a more complete picture of how life works and how the environment affects living things.

Study Demonstrates Effectiveness of Microneedles

John Toon — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

In what is believed to be the first peer-reviewed human study of its kind, researchers have demonstrated that patches coated on one side with microscopic needles can facilitate transdermal delivery of clinically-relevant doses of a drug that normally cannot pass through the skin.

New Decontamination System Kills Anthrax Rapidly

Abby Vogel — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

A rapid, non-disruptive and less expensive method to decontaminate bioterrorism hazards has been developed. Flat panels producing X-rays and ultraviolet-C light kill anthrax spores, even hidden ones, in two to three hours without lingering effects.

Biomedical Shape-Memory Polymers Developed

Abby Vogel — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology are developing unique polymers, which change shape upon heating, to open blocked arteries, probe neurons in the brain and engineer a tougher spine.

Bee Strategy Helps Servers Run More Sweetly

Megan McRainey — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST

According to new research from the Georgia Institute of Technology, the swarm intelligence of honeybees can be adapted to improve the efficiency of Internet servers faced with similar challenges. A bee dance-inspired communications system developed by Georgia Tech helps Internet servers that would normally be devoted solely to one task move between tasks as needed, reducing the chances that a Web site could be overwhelmed with requests and lock out potential users and customers.

Evidence of Memory Seen in Cells & Molecules

John Toon — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Research reported October 29 in the online version of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) provides evidence that some molecular interactions on cell surfaces may have a

New Biosensor Detects Avian Influenza Virus

Abby Vogel — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

A new biosensor developed by the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) can detect avian influenza in minutes. The biosensor is economical, field-deployable, sensitive to different viral strains and requires no labels or reagents.

Tech Part of $31 M Translational Partnership

Megan McRainey — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded more than $31 million over five years -- one of the largest NIH grants in Georgia history -- to a partnership of Atlanta academic, research and healthcare institutions, including Georgia Tech, focused on accelerating the translation of laboratory discoveries into healthcare innovations for patients.

Georgia Tech/Emory Center to Study Origin of Life

David Terraso — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University have received a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to establish "The Origins Project," a center for integrated research, education and public outreach focused on the chemistry that may have led to the origin of life.

New Research Complex Encourages Collaboration

John Toon — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Buildings in Georgia Tech's new Biotechnology Complex were designed to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration by bringing together faculty members from different departments into "research neighborhoods" that focus research strengths on specific areas.

Embryonic Stem Cells Thrive When Shaken

Megan McRainey — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers from Georgia Tech and Emory University have discovered that gently shaking embryonic stem cells, similar to how an embryo is shaken in the mother's womb, improves their development and could some day even be used to control what type of cell they eventually become.

Tiny Tropical Crab Invades Georgia Oyster Reefs

John Toon — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

A dime-sized tropical crab that has invaded coastal waters in the Southeast United States is having both positive and negative effects on oyster reefs, leaving researchers unable to predict what the creature

Scientists Discover New Way to Study Nanostructures

David Terraso — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Physicists at Georgia Tech have discovered a phenomenon which allows measurement of the mechanical motion of nanostructures by using the AC Josephson effect. The findings may be used to identify and characterize structural and mechanical properties of nanoparticles, including materials of biological interest.

Georgia Tech Part of New Biofuel Research Center

Megan McRainey — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Georgia Tech is part of a new research team that has won a bid from the Department of Energy for a $125 million bioenergy research center that will seek new ways to produce biofuels.

Marine Phytoplankton Changes Form to Protect Itself

John Toon — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EDT

A tiny single-celled organism that plays a key role in the carbon cycle of cold-water oceans may be a lot smarter than scientists had suspected.

Gene Thought to Assist Chemo May Help Cancer Thrive

Megan McRainey — Wed, 16 May 2007 00:00:00 EDT

A gene thought to be essential in helping chemotherapy kill cancer cells, may actually help them thrive. In a new study of chemo patients, scientists at Georgia Tech and the Ovarian Cancer Institute found that 70 percent of subjects whose tumors had mutations in the gene p53 were still alive after five years. Patients with normal p53 displayed only a 30 percent survival rate.

Water Flows Like Molasses on the Nanoscale

David Terraso — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

A Georgia Tech research team has discovered that water exhibits very different properties when it is confined to channels less than two nanometers wide

Scientists Unravel Clue in Cortisol Production

David Terraso — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Georgia Tech biologists have discovered an important step in the production of the hormone cortisol production. Given the hormone's importance to health, understanding how it is made is essential to producing medications that can alter its production.

Bacteria That Degrades PCBs Identified

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers have identified a group of bacteria that can detoxify a common type of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which have contaminated more than 250 U.S. sites, including river and lake sediments.

Ocean Creatures Provide Foundation for Electronics

John Toon — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EST

The three-dimensional shells of tiny ocean creatures could provide the foundation for novel electronic devices, including gas sensors able to detect pollution faster and more efficiently than conventional devices.

Ovarian Cancer May Mimic Fallopian Tube Formation

David Terraso — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EST

A new study suggests that ovarian cancer cells form by hijacking a developmental genetic process normally used to form fallopian tubes. The discovery not only provides a new target for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, but also opens new avenues for basic research in ovarian cancer pathology.

For Easy Tasks, Brain Preps and Decides Together

David Terraso — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:00:00 EST

A Georgia Tech researcher has discovered that for tasks involving spatial processing, preparing for the task and performing it are not two separate brain processes, but one

Researchers Create Dual-modality Microbeads

John Toon — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:00:00 EST

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University have developed an easier and faster method to detect disease biomarkers in liquid samples using highly porous, micron-sized, silica beads that contain optical and magnetic nanoparticles.

Shape-memory Materials May Aid Orthopedic Surgery

John Toon — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 00:00:00 EST

An early stage medical-materials company based at the Georgia Institute of Technology is developing devices that may soon improve the treatment of human orthopedic conditions.

GT Duo Writes Companion to Top Bioinformatics Text

David Terraso — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST

Georgia Tech Professor Mark Borodovsky and Research Scientist Svetlana Ekisheva have penned Problems and Solutions in Biological Sequence Analysis , a companion to Biological Sequence Analysis, one of the top books in the field of bioinformatics.

Butterfly Wing is Template for Photonic Structures

John Toon — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST

By replicating the complex micron- and nanometer-scale photonic structures that help give butterfly wings their color, researchers have demonstrated a new technique that uses biotemplates for fabricating nanoscale optical structures.

Imaging Technique Shows Promise in Osteoarthritis

John Toon — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 00:00:00 EST

An innovative combination of existing technologies shows promise for noninvasive, high-resolution imaging of cartilage in research on the progression and treatment of the common degenerative disease osteoarthritis.

Ocean Creatures Linked to Cloud Cover Increases

John Toon — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST

Atmospheric scientists have reported a new and potentially important mechanism by which chemical emissions from ocean phytoplankton may influence the formation of clouds that reflect sunlight away from our planet.

Dopamine Used to Prompt Nerve Tissue to Regrow

Megan McRainey — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST

Georgia Tech/Emory researchers have integrated dopamine, a type of neurotransmitter, into a polymer to stimulate nerve tissues to send out new connections. The discovery, published in PNAS, is the first step toward the eventual goal of implanting the polymer into patients suffering from neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or epilepsy, to help repair damaged nerves.

Microbes May Use Chemicals to Compete for Food

John Toon — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST

Microbes may compete with large animal scavengers by producing repugnant chemicals that deter higher species from consuming valuable food resources -- such as decaying meat, seeds and fruit, a new study suggests.

Tech/Childrens Partner on $5M Pediatric Center

Megan McRainey — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 00:00:00 EDT

Georgia Tech and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta have partnered to create a new $5 million pediatric research center. The Center for Pediatric Outcomes and Quality, housed with Tech's Health Systems Institute, will develop technologies and processes to solve problems associated with delivering quality care to children.

Tech/Emory/MCG Partner on $10M Nanomedicine Center

Megan McRainey — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:00:00 EDT

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded Georgia Tech, Emory and Medical College of Georgia a grant to partner on a Nanomedicine Development Center that will focus on DNA damage repair. The $10 million center is Tech/Emory's third in less than two years.

Giant Pandas See in Color

David Terraso — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:00:00 EDT

They may be black and white, but new research at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Zoo Atlanta shows that giant pandas can see in color.

Side-Stream Chemicals Could Boost Biorefineries

John Toon — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 00:00:00 EDT

Biorefineries developed to produce ethanol from cellulose sources such as trees could get a significant economic boost from the sale of high-value chemicals

Research Shows How Ultrasound Can Deliver Drugs

John Toon — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers have shown how ultrasound energy can briefly

Scientists Uncover Critical Step in DNA Mutation

David Terraso — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 00:00:00 EDT

Scientists at Georgia Tech have made an important step toward solving a critical puzzle relating to a chemical reaction that leads to DNA mutation. The research uncovers knowledge that could be critical to the development of strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.

Marcus Nanotechnology Building Groundbreaking

Matthew Nagel — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 00:00:00 EDT

Georgia Tech broke ground on the new Marcus Nanotechnology Building, which has many people on campus and throughout the state filled with high hopes.

Nano Probe May Open New Window Into Cell Behavior

Megan McRainey — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 00:00:00 EDT

Georgia Tech researchers have created a nanoscale probe that can capture both the biochemical makeup and topography of complex biological objects in their normal environment

Scientists Uncover Rules for Gene Amplification

David Terraso — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:00:00 EDT

Gene amplification plays an important role in causing cancers. Researchers at Georgia Tech have discovered that the location of a hairpin-capped break relative to the end of the chromosome will determine the fate of the amplification event.

Tech Creates Self-Training Gene Prediction Program

David Terraso — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers have developed the first ever computer program able to train itself to predict genes in genomic DNA sequences of eukaryotic organisms. The program may help researchers save a year or more off genome sequencing and interpretation projects.

Researchers Look to Nature for Design Inspiration

Megan McRainey — Mon, 15 May 2006 00:00:00 EDT

Georgia Tech researchers are hoping to unlock the design secrets of nature to create everything from better sensors to better robots.

Nature Meets Technology at Georgia Tech Conference

David Terraso — Thu, 11 May 2006 00:00:00 EDT

For two days, May 11-12, researchers from 20 institutions will gather at the Georgia Institute of Technology for the first International Symposium for Biologically-inspired Design and Engineering.