Georgia Tech Biotechnology, Health, Bioengineering, Genetics News

Petascale Tools Could Provide Deeper Insight into Genomic Evolution

Abby Vogel — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Research recently funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 aims to develop computational tools that will utilize next-generation petascale computers to understand genomic evolution.

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.

Modified Enzyme and Delivery System Enable Spinal Cord Regeneration

Abby Vogel — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Researchers have improved an enzyme that degrades dense scar tissue that forms when the central nervous system is damaged -- and developed a new system to deliver it, ultimately enabling spinal cord regeneration.

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

Dr. Robert Guldberg Named New IBB Director

Don Fernandez — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

After the completion of a nationwide search, Dr. Robert Guldberg has been named the new director of The Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB) at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

New Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience Director Named

Robert Nesmith — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Mechanical Engineering Professor Robert Guldberg has been named the new director of the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience.

Montgomery Wants to Know: Will that road make you sick?

Amy Danner — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Officials in Montgomery County have proposed to required health studies before major roads are approved in order to gauge effects on minors, seniors and other vulnerable populations.

Study Suggests Patent Challenges Reduce Drug Innovation and Output

Abby Vogel — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The recent surge in Paragraph IV patent challenges is decreasing the incentives for pharmaceutical innovation and contributing to productivity and revenue declines in the pharmaceutical industry, according to a new study in Science.

New Protocols Will Test Effects of RFID Systems on Medical Devices

Abby Vogel — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) recently began developing testing protocols for RFID technology in the health care setting. The researchers will test whether radio frequency-emitting devices cause any negative effects on the medical devices.

Bioengineering student named Kauffman Fellow

Don Fernandez — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Georgia Tech bioengineering Ph.D. student Yash Kolambkar is one of 13 postdoctoral researchers to be named among the first Kauffman Postdoctoral Fellows.

Nano Research Has Strong Multidisciplinary Roots, Study Shows

John Toon — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Research reported in the journal Nature Nanotechnology found that nanoscience and nanotechnology are highly multidisciplinary -- but not much more so than other modern disciplines that also draw on multiple areas of science and technology.

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.

MRI Simulation of Blood Flow Helps Plan Child?s Delicate Heart Surgery

Abby Vogel — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers at Georgia Tech, collaborating with pediatric cardiologists and surgeons at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, developed a tool for virtual surgery that allows heart surgeons to view the predicted effects of different surgical approaches.

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.

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.

Clinical Trial Shows That Quadriplegics Can Use Tongue Drive System

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

An assistive technology that enables individuals to maneuver a powered wheelchair or control a mouse cursor using simple tongue movements can be operated by individuals with high-level spinal cord injuries, according to the results of a recently completed clinical trial.

Center for Innovative Cardiovascular Technologies Announced

Don Fernandez — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Georgia Institute of Technology’s College of Engineering has announced the formation of the Center for Innovative Cardiovascular Technologies. Dr. Ajit Yoganathan, Wallace H. Coulter Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University, will serve as the center’s founding director.

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 Will Support Growth Of Medical Device, Technology Industry

Don Fernandez — 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. The first of its kind in the Southeast, the Global Center for Medical Innovation (GCMI) will include a comprehensive medical device prototyping center.

New Center Supports Growth of the Medical Device Industry

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

McMurray Tapped to Lead GTRI?s Food Processing Technology Division

Abby Vogel — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Gary McMurray, a long-time research engineer with the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), has been appointed chief of GTRI’s Food Processing Technology Division, succeeding Craig Wyvill, who retired in April.

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.

Marcus Nanotechnology Building Formally Dedicated

Don Fernandez — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Three years after breaking ground, Georgia Tech is set to dedicate the Marcus Nanotechnology Building, one of the most ambitious and expensive projects in the Institute’s history. The ceremony will be held on Friday, April 24, at 3 p.m. The 190,000-square-foot complex poises Georgia Tech to be a global hub for nanotechnology research and development while igniting an environment that could potentially transform both local and state economies.

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.

Georgia Tech researcher receives prestigious Sloan Research Fellowship

Don Fernandez — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Georgia Tech

American and Chinese Universities Announce Groundbreaking Joint Ph.D.

Don Fernandez — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Two highly respected biomedical engineering programs in the United States and China are breaking new ground in international academia as they begin to enroll the inaugural class of a new joint Ph.D. program.

New Technique Predicts Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Effectiveness

Abby Vogel — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

Researchers have developed a technique for determining the “leakiness” of tumor blood vessels using a simple digital mammography unit. The quantification of “leakiness” is closely correlated to the ability of a chemotherapy agent to enter the tumor, allowing the researchers to predict the agent’s therapeutic efficacy.

Georgia Cancer Coalition Selects Georgia Tech Scientist

Don Fernandez — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

The Georgia Cancer Coalition has announced the recipients of the 2009 Cancer Research Awards, made possible by Georgians who contribute to the Georgia Cancer Research Fund on their state income tax returns. Michelle Dawson, Ph.D., assistant professor at the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, is one of the eight recipients. She will receive $50,000 for her research into the development of specialized cells designed as gene delivery vehicles to target and treat breast cancer.

AAAS and Georgia Tech Announce 2008 Fellows

Don Fernandez — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

Three Georgia Tech professors have received the award of American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow for 2008. Election as a Fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers.

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.

Initiative Helps Rural Georgia Hospitals Improve Performance

John Toon — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

Seven rural Georgia hospitals will participate in a new initiative designed to help increase their capacity to serve patients, improve the quality of their services and reduce costs.

Researchers discover strategy for predicting the immunity of vaccines

Don Fernandez — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

In the first study of its kind, researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, have developed a multidisciplinary approach involving immunology, genomics and bioinformatics to predict the immunity of a vaccine without exposing individuals to infection. This approach addresses a long-standing challenge in the development of vaccines--that of only being able to determine immunity or effectiveness long after vaccination and, often, only after being exposed to infection.

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.

Pandemic Flu Models Show How Illness Would Spread in Georgia

Abby Vogel — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Pandemic flu models are helping organizations, including the American Red Cross and Department of Education, improve their food distribution and school closing strategies in the event of such an emergency.

Portable Imaging System Will Help Maximize Natural Disaster Response

Abby Vogel — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers have developed a low-cost, high-resolution imaging system that can be attached to a helicopter to create a complete and detailed picture of an area devastated by a hurricane or other natural disaster. The resulting visual information can be used to estimate the number of storm refugees and assess the need for health and humanitarian services.

Georgia Tech Professor Honored with NAE Award

Don Fernandez — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

During its 2008 annual meeting, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) will present two awards for extraordinary impacts on the engineering profession. NAE

Researchers Develop Self-Training Gene Prediction Program for Fungi

Abby Vogel — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers have developed a computer program that trains itself to predict genes in the DNA sequences of fungi. Details of the new program, called GeneMark.hmm-ES (BP), are available online in the journal Genome Research and will be included in the journal

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.

Enhancing Disaster and Medical Response

Lisa Grovenstein — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology

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.

Transforming Health Care on Multiple Fronts

Lisa Grovenstein — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The National Science Foundation has awarded funding to the Georgia Institute of Technology's H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering and the Texas A&M Health Science Center (HSC) School of Rural Public Health to establish the Center for Health Organization Transformation (CHOT).

Work Abroad Students Meet World Leaders

Elizabeth Campell — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Each summer many Georgia Tech students opt to study and work abroad to enhance their skills and expand their global outlook. A few students were excited to meet the Prime Minister of Ireland and Pres. George Bush during their travels and work assignments.

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.

Tongue-controlled System Assists Individuals with Disabilities

Abby Vogel — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A new assistive technology allows individuals with disabilities to operate a computer, control a powered wheelchair and interact with their environments simply by moving their tongues. The Tongue Drive system, developed by engineers at the Georgia Institute of Technology, could help individuals with severe disabilities lead more independent lives.

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

Georgia Tech Begins New Training Grant on Prosthetics and Orthotics

David Terraso — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The School of Applied Physiology at the Georgia Institute of Technology will begin a new program in Prosthetics and Orthotics this fall aimed at bringing medical, engineering and life science professionals together. The training grant, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and Georgia Tech, will fund three fellowships per year for five years.

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

Tool Creates Personalized Catch-up Immunization Schedules

Abby Vogel — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT

A new downloadable software tool will help pediatricians, parents and other health care professionals determine how to adjust complex childhood immunization schedules when one or more vaccine doses aren

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.

Robot Fetches Objects With Just a Point and a Click

Megan McRainey — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers at Georgia Tech and Emory University have created a robot, designed to help users with limited mobility with everyday tasks, that moves autonomously to an item selected with a green laser pointer, picks up the item and then delivers it to the user, another person or a selected location such as a table. The new robotic communication method may help robots find their way into the home sooner.

Sensor Necklace Aims to Increase Drug Compliance

Abby Vogel — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

Georgia Tech researchers have designed a sensor necklace that records the date and time a pill is swallowed, which could be used to ensure that the elderly and subjects in clinical drug trials take their medications as directed by a physician.

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.

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.

Vest May Help Understand Causes of Asthma Attacks

Abby Vogel — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

A vest containing environmental sensors may help researchers better understand the causes of asthma attacks. The system can determine what children are exposed to at home, at school and outside where they play.

Portable Device Quickly Detects Early Alzheimer\'s

Megan McRainey — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST

Georgia Tech and Emory University researchers have developed a device that may allow patients to take a brief, inexpensive test that could be administered as part of a routine yearly checkup at a doctor

Gold Nanoprobes May Allow Earlier Cancer Detection

Megan McRainey — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

Using tiny gold particles embedded with dyes, Georgia Tech and Emory researchers have shown that they can identify tumors under the skin of a living animal. These tools may allow doctors to detect and diagnose cancer earlier and less invasively.

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.

Polymer with Neurotransmitter Promotes Nerve Growth

Abby Vogel — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST

Research reported December 11 in the journal Advanced Materials describes a potentially promising strategy for encouraging the regeneration of damaged central nervous system cells known as neurons.

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

Scientists ID Brain Circuits Used in Touch

Megan McRainey — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT

The ability to tactually recognize fine spatial details, such as the raised dots used in braille, is especially important to those who are blind. With that in mind, a team of researchers has identified the neural circuitry that facilitates spatial discrimination through touch. Understanding this circuitry may lead to the creation of sensory-substitution devices, such as tactile maps for the visually impaired.

Researchers Win $11.5 Million for Vaccine Delivery

John Toon — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Flu vaccine delivered through painless microneedles in patches applied to the skin could soon be an alternative to delivery through hypodermic needles, according to researchers at Emory University and the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.

Simulation Reveals How Body Repairs Balance

Megan McRainey — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Georgia Tech and Emory researchers have created a computer simulation that sheds new light on how the nervous system reinvents its communication with muscles after sensory loss. The findings could someday be used to better diagnose and rehabilitate patients with balance problems by retraining their muscles and improving overall balance.

Lean Techniques Boost Efficiency at Rural Hospital

John Toon — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EDT

A process that has long been used to boost productivity in manufacturing operations is being applied to the health care industry

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.

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.

Simpler Radium Test Cuts Analysis Time

John Toon — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EDT

A simpler technique for testing public drinking water samples for the presence of the radioactive element radium can dramatically reduce the amount of time required to conduct the sampling required by federal regulations.

Nanoparticle Could Help Detect Many Diseases Early

Megan McRainey — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Georgia Tech and Emory University researchers are the first to create a nanoparticle capable of detecting and imaging trace amounts of hydrogen peroxide (thought to be an early indicator of many diseases) in animals. The nanoparticles could some day be used as a simple, all-purpose diagnostic tool to detect the earliest stages of any disease that involves chronic inflammation

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 Helps Improve Workplace Safety

John Toon — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EDT

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is improving workplace safety at small- and mid-sized Georgia companies by helping them identify and resolve hazards to their workers.

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.

Quantum Dots Reach Clinical Lab

Megan McRainey — Thu, 24 May 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers at Georgia Tech and Emory University have developed new clinical protocols detailing how to prepare, process and quantify quantum dots. The new protocols will arm laboratory physicians with the information they need to track biomarkers in cells and tissues.

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

Nanogenerator Provides Continuous Electrical Power

John Toon — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Researchers have demonstrated a prototype nanometer-scale generator that produces continuous direct-current electricity by harvesting mechanical energy from such environmental sources as ultrasonic waves, mechanical vibration or blood flow.

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

Bellamkonda Named Georgia Cancer Coalition Scholar

Megan McRainey — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 00:00:00 EST

Dr. Ravi Bellamkonda, a professor in The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University, is one of 13 scientists named as a Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Cancer Scholar for 2007. One of only two professor level awardees, he will receive $150,000 in funding annually for five years to support his research efforts.

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.

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.

Technology Predicts Outcome of Child Heart Surgery

Megan McRainey — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST

Georgia Tech and Emory University researchers have developed an innovative new technology that will help pediatric cardiac surgeons design and test a customized surgical procedure before they ever pick up a scalpel. With a better understanding of each child

Inverse Planning System Improves Cancer Therapy

John Toon — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST

Using algorithms developed at Georgia Tech, a California medical software company has launched the first

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.

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.

Tech and Shepherd Ctr. Awarded $4.75 Million Grant

Elizabeth Campell — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 00:00:00 EDT

Tech

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.

SWAN System to Help Blind Navigate Environment

Elizabeth Campell — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 00:00:00 EDT

Georgia Tech researchers are developing a wearable computing system called the System for Wearable Audio Navigation designed to help the visually impaired, firefighters and soldiers navigate their way in unknown territory.

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.

Smaller Bowls and Spoons Key to Eating Less

Elizabeth Campell — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 00:00:00 EDT

What makes smaller bowls

Optical Breakthrough Makes Lab-on-a-Chip Possible

Megan McRainey — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 00:00:00 EDT

Georgia Tech researchers have found a way to shrink all the sensing power of sophisticated biosensors

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.