Category Archives: BioEngineering

Newswise Among the many devastating impacts of Alzheimers disease and other types of dementia is the risk that patients will wander and become lost. Indeed, according to the Alzheimers Association, six in 10 people with the disease will wander at least once over the course of their illness and many do so repeatedly.

For researchers who study and treat people with neurodegenerative disorders, understanding the human neural circuitry that leads to such behavior is among the highest-priority goals. But to better study these and other neurological conditions, the work needs to begin with effective, accessible animal models.

Thats where researchers at the NeuroBat lab led by Michael Yartsev, assistant professor of bioengineering and of neurobiology come in. Their studies of the neural circuitry of navigation in Egyptian fruit bats are yielding insights that might one day help explain and prevent dangerous situations for humans.

Egyptian fruit bats are one of the most superior navigators that exist on our planet, Yartsev says. He describes how these diminutive, highly social creatures in the wild will travel tens of kilometers, even through dark and stormy nights, seldom if ever getting lost in their search for food. The bats complex travel through 3D space, he says, could shed light on the complexity of human behavior in navigating from place to place.

But understanding the neuronal processes at the root of behavior in appropriate animal models goes well beyond studies of navigation. We have a huge number of questions that we want to understand about the brain, Yartsev says. And one of his goals as a neuroscientist is to advocate for an expansion of the diversity of animal models researchers have available for their work.

In the current landscape of neuroscience research, Yartsev says, 75% or more of the work focuses on a handful of standard organisms, such as rats and mice. The reasons often come down to accessibility of tools and ease of maintenance in laboratory environments. But this overwhelming convergence is not without cost, as it limits the type of questions asked, the discoveries made and the degree to which scientific findings can be generalized beyond those species.

With bats, Yartsev says, their ability to fly, complex social behaviors, patterns of vocalization, long lives and more set them apart as animal models for studying a specific set of basic research problems in neuroscience such as how the brain processes skills like navigation, sociality and language.

Yartsevs first encounter with bats as a subject for neuroscience took place some 15 years ago during his Ph.D. studies at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. Yartsev says it was a risky move, then, to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience by studying a non-traditional animal. But this work helped establish bats as an important model system for a variety of new research topics.

As befits Yartsevs biomedical engineering background, the work has included the opportunity to develop new research tools for neuroscience for example, the first wireless electrophysiology system for recording and studying a bats brain activity during flight.

This was the first single-cell neural recording from a freely flying animal, Yartsev says, referring to experimental work behind a 2013 Science paper on navigation-related bat neural activity. Bats obviously cannot fly around freely with a cable attached, so we had to develop the tools needed to do this work we still do, he adds, citing, as another example, a piezoelectric device for recording vocalizations that is lightweight enough for the bats to wear as a necklace while communicating with one another.

In 2015, Yartsev brought his pioneering research with Egyptian fruit bats to UC Berkeley, where he has established his own group, the NeuroBat Lab. Studying the neural circuitry of these diminutive creatures, the group continues to build and publish a rich trove of basic research data and neuroscience insight with more to come.

In a continuation of his research work on navigation using bats, the NeuroBat Lab has recently focused on neural mechanisms that could underlie goal-directed navigation, which Alzheimer patients often struggle with. To carry out the study, the Yartsev team used a specialized facility they created called the fully automated flight room. It is a human-free space used to obtain detailed, quantitative understanding of bat navigation and flight behavior by recording activity in relevant neural circuits.

Bioengineering graduate student Madeleine Snyder, one of Yartsevs team members who also studies the neural mechanisms of navigation in bats, says bats make a good research subject because theyre both highly social and highly navigationally adept, and thats very similar to humans in many ways. They will go kilometers and kilometers to forage in a specific tree and then come home together.

She describes the flight room as about the size of a large living room that is outfitted with cameras and other recording devices. Researchers can situate perches for the bats at various places in the room. The perches might be outfitted with beam breakers that, when triggered by a bat alighting on the perch, will trigger some action like the introduction of food. Lights can be programmed to turn on and off, sounds can be introduced and researchers can simply step back, watch and record how the bats interact with their environment.

In comparison to studies with other animal models, she says, with bats in the human-free flight room, were not constraining the animal but just letting them do what they want to do and seeing what happens.

As with many animal-model studies, Yartsev says, subtracting humans from the study environment can heighten fidelity of results. Thats because the presence of human investigators may introduce experimental biases, reduce reproducibility of the experiment, prevent the animals from engaging freely in self-paced navigational behavior and limit the complexity of tasks that could be utilized to study neural circuits.

For the navigation study, the team looked at the activity of place cells, specialized cells in the brain that act as a sort of internal global positioning system. Studies of place cells in rats had indicated that the cells primarily encode the animals location at the time the cell is firing.

What we are showing in this paper is that if you align all the place cells that you are recording as they are firing in the hippocampus, there is a continuum of space and time, Yartsev says, referring to their paperpublished in Scienceearlier this year. The cells are representing where the animal has been, where it will be a half a second into the future, a second into the future and so on.

One of the hallmarks of Alzheimers disease, Yartsev notes, is that people get lost all the time, even in their own neighborhoods. Understanding how the brain represents the environment, how a person knows the route to take to get from one place to another remains unknown, he says. The NeuroBat Lab study suggests that the reason a person might get lost is that their brain somehow loses that continuum of space and time the ability to hold and follow a planned trajectory.

He says the data from their fast-moving bat animal model reveals dynamics of neuronal activity that would be difficult to observe so cleanly by only studying, for example, a slower-moving rodent in a 2D maze.

We can sometimes make very significant progress with just one experiment with bats, no matter that it can at times be very difficult, Yartsev says. Thats because the animals can be a highly relevant model system for a specific scientific question that could also be important for humans. For example, bats are specialized for communication at the group level. They have developed behavioral capacities for group living and the underlying neural circuits that serve those capacities.

In another recent study from the lab, the team became the first to observe synchronized brain activity in a nonhuman species engaging in natural social interactions like grooming, fighting or sniffing each other.

For the study,published in Cell,Yartsev and postdoctoral fellow Wujie Zhang used simultaneous wireless neural recording devices to measure brain activity while multiple bats freely interacted. The specialized recording devices allowed them to capture what modalities like functional MRI and EEG cannot the full scope of neural activity from brain oscillations to the firing of individual neurons, all at the same time.

The researchers found surprisingly strong correlations between the bats brains. That is, as they engaged with one another in social behaviors in the same environment, their brain wave and neuronal electrical activity began to look the same in each bat, even when the bats performed very different actions. The correlations were present whenever the bats shared a social environment and increased before and during their social interactions, Yartsev says.

Their detailed analysis of social interactions allowed them to rule out other possible explanations for the synced-up brain activity, such as that bats were simply reacting to the same environment or engaging in the same activity. For example, bats placed in identical but separate chambers and that were both busy grooming did not show the same synchronization.

This study is really laying the groundwork for studying inter-brain correlation in animals, Zhang says. We didnt know if this is something thats only observed in humans. If we have the same phenomenon in animals, then theres a lot more experimental techniques we can use to really understand the mechanisms of this phenomenon, including its function.

This is a very core phenomenon that, for two decades, people have been excited about in humans, Yartsev says. Now that weve observed it in an animal model, it opens the door to very detailed research of it. Importantly, this phenomenon also relates to how humans socialize with one another in social groups and is impacted during diseases such as autism and other neurological disorders. Understanding the neural mechanisms behind it and how it mediates natural group social behavior could lead to future therapeutics in humans.

And this is exactly where we are going with this, Yartsev says. In another paper,published in Sciencethis fall, the lab studied social communication among groups of bats for the first time. Led by graduate student Maimon Rose and postdoctoral fellow Boaz Styr, the researchers discovered a rich repertoire of neural signals that represent key components in group communication, findings that could also have significant implications for understanding aspects of human mental health.

Another future area of research interest, Yartsev says, is language the crown jewel of humanity. Humans are the only mammals capable of learning and using language, but they are joined by bats, elephants and cetaceans (whales, dolphins) out of some 5,400 species of mammals in the ability to learn new sounds. This process, also known as vocal learning, is the basis for language learning.

First of all, just understanding that fact about learning language is really important, he says. How does our brain allow us to learn a language? It becomes even more important when we think that about 10 percent of the people in the world suffer from language disorders. And this affects them dramatically. These disorders relate to autism, dyslexia and a whole variety of problems related to brain functioning.

Unfortunately, in the world of neuroscience today, Yartsev says, we still do not understand the detailed neurobiological mechanisms that allow us to learn a language.

And beyond biology and human health, the research into complex neurobiological processes in bats might also power new technology development, Yartsev says. For example, insights from the bats might aid development of new machine learning algorithms and sensing technologies critical to the development of fully self-driving cars. Such autonomous vehicles must be able to safely maneuver roadways by sensing and reacting to other moving vehicles, random obstacles and constantly changing environmental conditions. For some questions, the bats provide us very unique advantages that you simply cant find in other animal model system and these are the questions we focus on, Yartsev says.

Articleby William Schulz

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Right off the bats - Newswise

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Cysteine Market Technological Innovations and Pandemic Analysis Till 2026: Wacker Chemie AG, Ajinomoto Pte.Ltd, Donboo Amino Acid Co. Ltd, Wuxi Bikang...

The lease for CBREs Richardson facility was announced last year. The company took over an existing building at 2375 N. Glenville Drive. (Olivia Lueckemeyer/Community Impact Newspaper)

The lease for CBREs Richardson facility was announced last year, according to a spokesperson with the real estate and investment firm. The company took over an existing building at 2375 N. Glenville Drive.

So far, there are 700 CBRE employees based in Richardson with about 300 more to be added by early next year, the spokesperson said. The companys Dallas headquarters will also add another 460 new jobs and more than $29 million in capital investment, according to Abbotts release.

"CBRE's expansion in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex will bring over one thousand high-paying jobs and greater opportunities for the hardworking people of North Texas, Abbott said in the release. I look forward to a strong relationship with the company as we work together to keep Texas the national model for economic prosperity."

CBRE will receive grants of $3.3 million and $3.5 million from the Texas Enterprise Fund, Abbott said in the release. The fund awards deal-closing grants to companies considering a new project for which one Texas site is competing with other out-of-state sites, according to the states economic development office.

Mayor Paul Voelker said the company made a strategic choice in choosing Richardson, which is regarded as a center for innovation.

"As the heart of the Telecom Corridor area and home to the Richardson IQ, we are proud CBRE has made the strategic choice to locate its operations center in this innovative ecosystem," Voelker said in the release. "The 550 new jobs that come with this project have good neighbors in an area especially designed for collaboration, and we are excited about the possibilities CBRE has here in Richardson."

The addition of CBRE to the citys corporate landscape comes with many benefits for residents, said Bill Sproull, president and CEO of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce.

CBREs expansion into Richardson provides high-paying job opportunities for our citizens, an enhanced tax base and further involvement of a Fortune 50 company in our community, he said.

For more information on CBREs presence in Dallas-Fort Worth, visit this link.

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CBRE operations hub to bring more than 500 new jobs in Richardson - Community Impact Newspaper

From the President: A Message to the Penn Community: Provost Pritchett to Take Leave of Absence

May 11, 2021

I am writing to share with you the news that our dear friend and colleague, Provost Wendell Pritchett, will be taking a medical leave of absence from his responsibilities here at Penn, beginning July 1, 2021 through the end of the fall 2021 semester. Wendell has been dealing with some health issues that, while not life-threatening, require greater attention over the coming months.

As everyone who has had the pleasure of working with him knows, Wendell continues to do an absolutely superb job as Provost. He is an exceptional leader who is universally recognized for his scholarship, teaching, compassion, and commitment to academic excellence and civic engagement. He is also a cherished friend to so many of us here at Penn. We all want Wendell to take the time necessary to tend to his health, and this leave of absence will allow him to do just that.

While Wendell is on leave, Deputy Provost Beth Winkelstein will assume the role of Interim Provost. Wendell appointed Beth as Deputy Provost in June of 2020 after she had served as Vice Provost for Education for five highly successful years. Beth earned her PhD in bioengineering from Duke University and BSE cum laude in bioengineering from Penn as a Benjamin Franklin Scholar. She has taught in the bioengineering department of Penn SEAS since 2002, becoming in that time one of the worlds leading innovators in research on new treatments for spine and other joint injuries. Appointed two years ago as the Eduard D. Glandt Presidents Distinguished Professor, she leads a pioneering Spine Pain Research Lab, mentors students and postdocs, and is chair of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers Board of Editors. She served as co-editor of the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering from 2013-2020.

Wendell and I and everyone who has worked with Beth have great confidence in her ability to step in and lead the Provosts Office while Wendell is on leave. Beth is an exceptional University citizen who is involved in all aspects of our academic, research and student-centered programming. We are very grateful that she is willing to take on this important responsibility.

Please join me in wishing Wendell a speedy return to full health.

Amy Gutmann, President

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From the President: A Message to the Penn Community: Provost Pritchett to Take Leave of Absence - UPENN Almanac

Stroke is the leading cause of mortality and disability among adults in China and is associated with high incidence, disability, mortality and recurrence rates, as well as high financial costs.Among the types of stroke, Acute Ischemic Stroke ("AIS") accounts for approximately 70%[1] of stroke cases in China and has been associated with a 10% mortality rate within the first 90 days as well as disability rates in more than a third of patients.The National Health Commission ("NHC")'s Healthy China Action (2019-2030) aims to lower mortality rates from cardiovascular and neurovascular diseases to the region of 20%[2], and more recently, the Bureau of Medical Administration under China's National Health Commission has targeted to increase the rates of reperfusion therapy for acute cerebral infarctions[3].

Direct aspiration for AIS can achieve efficacious recanalization of neurovascular arteries, achieve timely reperfusion and improve prognosis, and has been globally recommended as a treatment approach.China's leading physician in the field, Dr. Miao Zhongrong, Professor of Interventional Neuroradiology, Neurosurgery, and Neurology and Head of the Department of Interventional Neuroradiology at Beijing Tiantan Hospital (Capital Medical University), commented, "Afentta has demonstrated shorter procedure times, higher recanalization rates, lower disability rates and lower incidence of arterial dissection, presenting a more efficacious, faster and safer treatment option in interventional thrombectomy."

The Afentta intracranial thrombectomy aspiration catheter is the flagship product developed by HeMo Bioengineering (China) Ltd and has achieved the milestone of being China's first domestically-produced aspiration catheter system. Dr. Jack Wang, HeMo's Founder and Chief Technology Officer, commented, "HeMo Bioengineering is committed to bringing together 'smart' resources to serve China's needs in the neurovascular interventional space.With our professional management team of industry veterans and our diversified and global research and education resources, we are well-positioned to continue delivering world-leading, reliable and innovative medical devices."

HeMo has entered into technology partnerships with U.S.-based Imperative Care, Inc. and Tsinghua University's Department of Chemical Engineering, and has embarked on clinical trial collaborations with Beijing Tiantan Hospital (Capital Medical University).HeMo has also obtained patent protections for the proprietary technologies associated with its aspiration catheter system.Moving forward, HeMo is committed to accelerating the rapid development of China and APAC markets' interventional domain.

About HeMo Bioengineering Ltd:

Headquartered in Singapore, HeMo Bioengineering Ltd ("HeMo") is a fast-growing medical device company focused on the R&D and production of innovative medical devices for treating stroke patients.HeMo's current suite of neuro interventional products covers ischemic stroke, haemorrhagic stroke and neuro access. HeMo also has a strong presence in China, with manufacturing facilities in Weihai, Shandong and sales offices in Beijing and Shanghai. With a robust and diversified pipeline of other vascular intervention products under development, HeMo is well positioned to become a leading, global platform company in vascular intervention.

Visit HeMo at http://www.hemocorp.com.

For enquiries, please e-mail [emailprotected].

SOURCE HeMo Bioengineering Ltd

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Singapore-based HeMo Bioengineering Receives China's NMPA Approval for flagship Afentta(TM) Aspiration Catheter - PRNewswire

Biogen will use Gingko Bioworks mammalian cell programming platform to help advance its AAV-based vector manufacturing.

Under the terms of the agreement, Gingko will provide Biogen with access to its cell programming capabilities and platform.

Gingko will use its bioengineering resources and biomanufacturing space to enhance Biogens AAV production titers in its gene therapy manufacturing processes.

Image: iStock/metamorworks

Biogen will pay $5 million upfront, but Gingko has the potential to receive $115 million depending on research, development, and commercial milestones.

Biogen says that while AAV-based vectors carry the potential to treat different conditions and are used widely across the industry to develop gene therapies, the current manufacturing process is time-consuming and expensive, which makes it problematic to develop therapies for diseases that have large patient populations and require a high dose.

According to Biogen, Gingko will attempt to solve this challenge by using its mammalian cell programming platform (Bioworks4) to improve the efficacy of AAV-producing plasmid vectors and cell lines. In turn, potentially advancing Biogens novel gene therapies.

We are excited to collaborate with Biogen as they aim to develop treatments that may potentially slow, halt or cure neurological and neurodegenerative diseases and seek to enhance the industry standard for AAV manufacturing, said Jason Kelly, CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks.

Synthetic biology is leveraging the power of living cells to develop the next generation of therapeutics, everything from CAR-T, to CRISPR and gene therapies, which we believe will have a material impact on the lives of many.

This deal comes less than two weeks after Gingko Bioworks added large-scale protein capabilities outside the US through its acquisition of fungal platform technology firm Dutch DNA.

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Biogen partners with Gingko to develop platform - BioProcess Insider - BioProcess Insider