Wyss InstituteRehabilitation – Wyss Institute https://wyss.harvard.edu Wyss Institute at Harvard Mon, 06 Apr 2026 19:50:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 Injectable Hydrogel Adhesive for Improved Muscle Regeneration https://wyss.harvard.edu/technology/injectable-hydrogel-adhesive-for-improved-muscle-regeneration/ Wed, 06 Nov 2024 14:30:59 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?post_type=technology&p=41422 Although it was only given a clinical definition in 2010, volumetric muscle loss (VML) has been a persistent problem in medicine for centuries. VML can be caused by injuries, diseases, and some surgical procedures like removing a tumor, and results in so much damage to a muscle that its function is permanently compromised, leading to long-term disability. There is currently no effective treatment…

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/technology/injectable-hydrogel-adhesive-for-improved-muscle-regeneration/ This scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of the hydrogel displays its crosslinked microstructure that allows it to maintain its shape while stretching and moving with muscle tissue. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2024/11/04164330/20241104-Hydro-Gel-SEM_Gold-copy.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=f0bf7837e0475f178a2ff81d7c0b8aab"/> Hani Sallum on Engineering Prototypes for Researchers, Patients, and the Planet https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/humans-of-the-wyss-hani-sallum-on-engineering-prototypes-for-researchers-patients-and-the-planet/ Wed, 30 Oct 2024 13:00:46 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=41260 The Humans of the Wyss (HOW) series features members of the Wyss community discussing their work, the influences that shape them as professionals, and their collaborations at the Wyss Institute and beyond. Hani Sallum is always tinkering, whether he’s creating an eight-foot-tall robot costume to show off at a convention or designing a carbon dioxide-powered seawater collection system to…

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/humans-of-the-wyss-hani-sallum-on-engineering-prototypes-for-researchers-patients-and-the-planet/ Hani Sallum, Senior Engineer. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2024/10/28135703/HoW-Hani-Sallum-03530.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=a137a2c236f60531a83f9dc557040a92"/> Alzheimer’s drug may someday help save lives by inducing a state of “suspended animation” https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/alzheimers-drug-may-someday-help-save-lives-by-inducing-a-state-of-suspended-animation/ Thu, 22 Aug 2024 15:25:07 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=40410 New research in tadpoles reveals that FDA-approved donepezil puts the animals in reversible torpor-like state By Lindsay Brownell (BOSTON) — Researchers at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University report that they were able to successfully put tadpoles of Xenopus laevis frogs into a hibernation-like torpor state using donepezil (DNP), a drug approved by the FDA to treat Alzheimer’s. The team had previously used another drug, SNC80, to achieve similar results in…

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/alzheimers-drug-may-someday-help-save-lives-by-inducing-a-state-of-suspended-animation/ https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2022/09/26143549/Unravel-Biosciences_Tadpole_crop-e1664217399832.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=7d56efb3445c760e1ffa42422e0ede9b"/> The Wyss Institute’s 2024-2025 Validation Projects https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/the-wyss-institutes-2024-2025-validation-projects/ Wed, 29 May 2024 14:55:23 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=40101 15 projects named to this year’s class of technologies with high potential for positive impact Every year the Wyss Institute names a class of Validation Projects whose teams receive dedicated funding, business development support, and other resources to advance their promising technologies towards commercialization. They also collaborate with key opinion leaders, investors, and potential customers to de-risk their innovations and speed their progress to the market. This year…

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/the-wyss-institutes-2024-2025-validation-projects/ Associate Faculty member Natalie Artzi and Postdoctoral Fellow Maria Poley are part of a Validation Project team developing brain-targeted nanoparticles to improve the treatment of brain diseases. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2024/05/28130127/Natalie-Artzi-and-Maria-Poley_Neutral-04910.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=ba9573caaa9890c23c29ce32d4a4fd9a"/> ReConstruct: Vascularized Tissue for Breast Reconstruction and Augmentation https://wyss.harvard.edu/technology/reconstruct/ Wed, 01 May 2024 10:23:28 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?post_type=technology&p=37539 Breast cancer, the most common cancer worldwide, affects nearly 15% of all women. Most of these women undergo some kind of mastectomy to treat their cancer, and 40% choose to have breast reconstruction surgery. However, all currently available reconstruction options come with significant health risks. Artificial implants, whether filled with silicone or saline, require frequent safety monitor and…

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/technology/reconstruct/ https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2024/05/18145033/ReConstruct-Team-Photos_Candid-04099-final.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=01703822468b4176e6b322f4b2772c88"/> Repairing patients’ dura more durably https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/repairing-patients-dura-more-durably/ Wed, 20 Mar 2024 17:55:14 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=39492 Highly adhesive and mechanically strong Dural Tough Adhesive addresses multiple limitations in the repair of the dural membrane lining the brain and spinal cord after trauma and surgeries By Benjamin Boettner (BOSTON) — The dural membrane (dura) is the outermost of three meningeal layers that line the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord. Together, the meninges function as a shock-absorber to protect the CNS against trauma, circulate nutrients throughout the CNS, as well as remove waste. The dura also is a critical biological barrier that…

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/repairing-patients-dura-more-durably/ A research collaboration of bioengineers and neurosurgeons has developed a new solution to re-sealing the dura that, using a multi-functional biomaterial, addresses key limitations of current repair methods. Credit: Peter Allen, Ryan Allen, and James C. Weaver. SEAS/MIT/Wyss https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2024/03/19161756/Dural-Tough-Adhesive-on-Brain-Tissue.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=95b6d2699fa70e424d085e2f164ad2a4"/> A new glue, potentially also for you https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/a-new-glue-potentially-also-for-you/ Tue, 20 Feb 2024 15:50:09 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=39225 A new bonding method enabling instant and effective adhesion of hydrogels has potential to broadly advance new biomaterials solutions for multiple unmet clinical needs By Benjamin Boettner (BOSTON) — Hydrogels are versatile biomaterials conquering an increasing number of biomedical areas. Consisting of water-swollen molecular networks that can be tailored to mimic the mechanical and chemical features of various organs and tissues, they can interface within the body and on its outer surfaces without causing any damage to even the most delicate parts of the…

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/a-new-glue-potentially-also-for-you/ This illustration highlights how two hydrogels (shown in blue) can be bonded in different ways by thin chitosan films (shown in orange). The bonds that form are extraordinarily strong and can resist high tensions. Credit: Peter Allen, Ryan Allen, and James C. Weaver. https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2024/02/16095941/PNAS_Surgery_Background.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=f62d44cda05a8f44e01a2a6a823ceb03"/> Soft robotic, wearable device improves walking for individual with Parkinson’s disease https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/soft-robotic-wearable-device-improves-walking-for-individual-with-parkinsons-disease/ Fri, 05 Jan 2024 14:21:45 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=38710 Robotic exosuit eliminated gait freezing, a common and highly debilitating symptom By Leah Burrows / SEAS Communications (CAMBRIDGE, Mass.) — Freezing is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 9 million people worldwide. When individuals with Parkinson’s disease freeze, they suddenly lose the ability to move their feet, often mid-stride, resulting in a series of staccato stutter steps that…

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/soft-robotic-wearable-device-improves-walking-for-individual-with-parkinsons-disease/ This next-generation version of the suit is in development and could pave the way for new systems to help individuals with Parkinson's regain their independence. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2024/01/04154533/New-Hip-Shots.pptx.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=8fa8c6539a76551490e0a6d9a3bcdeaf"/> Building better breast reconstruction for cancer survivors https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/building-better-breast-reconstruction-for-cancer-survivors/ Wed, 25 Oct 2023 20:51:56 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=37971 ReConstruct is leveraging patient-derived, vascularized tissue to improve the safety of breast reconstruction By Lindsay Brownell At the close of Breast Cancer Awareness month, we bring you a story of hope for the millions of women who are diagnosed with this disease. Most breast cancer patients undergo some form of mastectomy, or surgical removal of breast tissue, during treatment. Breast reconstruction is a popular solution for breast cancer survivors to help restore a feeling of normalcy after…

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/building-better-breast-reconstruction-for-cancer-survivors/ https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2023/10/17101354/women-breast-cancer-support-charity-concept-2022-12-16-01-18-49-utc.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=5c47e0c2f4bc84423b169da541b58f40"/> ReConstruct – 3D Bioprinted Vascularized Fat Tissues for Breast Reconstruction https://wyss.harvard.edu/media-post/reconstruct-3d-bioprinted-vascularized-fat-tissues-for-breast-reconstruction/ Wed, 20 Sep 2023 14:14:40 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?post_type=media_post&p=37649 Breast cancer affects 15% of all women. Current options for breast reconstruction are insufficient and have poor patient outcomes. A research team at the Wyss Institute is addressing this clinical need by fabricating vascularized adipose tissue flaps for therapeutic use. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University…

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/media-post/reconstruct-3d-bioprinted-vascularized-fat-tissues-for-breast-reconstruction/ https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2023/09/20101218/THUMBNAIL_ReConstruct-3D-Bioprinted-Vascularized-Fat-Tissues-for-Breast-Reconstruction_No-Text.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=b918ac3502b5ec15e1438ce3f87e6f0f"/>