Wyss InstituteMedical Devices – Wyss Institute https://wyss.harvard.edu Wyss Institute at Harvard Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:29:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 Toward autonomous self-organizing biological robots with a nervous system https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/toward-autonomous-self-organizing-biological-robots-with-a-nervous-system/ Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:30:42 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=44996 In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers demonstrate that functional nervous systems can form within self-organized living cellular robots, conferring complex movement patterns and distinct gene expression profiles By Benjamin Boettner (BOSTON) — Biobots, whose growing line of variants started with Xenobots, are fascinating tiny self-powered living robots built exclusively using frog embryonic cells. Originally developed in the laboratories of Wyss Institute Associate Faculty member and Tufts University Professor Michael Levin, Ph.D. and his collaborators at University of Vermont…

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/toward-autonomous-self-organizing-biological-robots-with-a-nervous-system/ The team made an important step towards creating self-organizing biological robots with a functional nervous system. As can be seen in this image, neurobots are made of an outer surface consisting of multicilliated cells, mucus-secreting goblet cells, ionocytes, and small secretory cells, and a nervous system that reaches out to surface cells underneath. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2026/03/09141311/Neurobot-cover-image-e1773080011693.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=1fb2c1abf80eec239961949d4dffbf6e"/> Ellen Roche gets to the heart of the matter https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/ellen-roche-gets-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/ Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:19:10 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=44793 A conversation with Associate Faculty member Ellen Roche, Ph.D., about all things heart By Jessica Leff There is no Wyss faculty member more qualified to discuss matters of the heart than Ellen Roche, Ph.D., who has been working on developing cardiac devices since she was an undergraduate student. During her Ph.D. work, which was co-advised by Wyss Faculty members David Mooney, Ph.D., and Conor Walsh, Ph.D., she innovated the epicardial delivery of bioagents to the heart…

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/ellen-roche-gets-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/ Associate Faculty member Ellen Roche, Ph.D., presented about her work on cardiac devices at the 2023 Wyss Retreat. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2026/02/06100956/20231120-Wyss-Retreat-2023-305-scaled.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=11b487f4c3ec31ababacf07db77a8082"/> 20-ish Questions with Ellen Roche https://wyss.harvard.edu/media-post/20-ish-questions-with-ellen-roche/ Fri, 21 Nov 2025 14:00:10 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?post_type=media_post&p=44311 20-ish Questions shows a different side of Wyss Institute faculty, touching on aspects of their personal life, hobbies, interests, as well as their research. This round follows Ellen Roche, an Associate Faculty member of the Wyss Institute as well as the Latham Family Career Development Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science…

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/media-post/20-ish-questions-with-ellen-roche/ https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2025/11/21123505/THUMBNAIL_20-ish-Questions-with-Ellen-Roche_No-Text.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=0f406d8c28e53babaa72782416de9faf"/> Prapela: from understanding infant breathing rhythms to treating newborn babies https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/prapela-from-understanding-infant-breathing-rhythms-to-treating-newborn-babies/ Thu, 20 Nov 2025 17:50:12 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=44206 Support from the NIH allowed researchers to comprehend, predict, and prevent breathing disruptions in infants with apnea of prematurity and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome Part of the Wyss Institute’s series on the positive, life-altering impact of federal research funding By Jessica Leff About half of premature infants suffer from sleep apnea, which involves pauses in their breathing. Apnea of prematurity can be life-threatening, as it lowers heart rates to dangerous levels, and can even be a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Conversely…

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/prapela-from-understanding-infant-breathing-rhythms-to-treating-newborn-babies/ A series of grants from the National Institute of Health (NIH) enabled researchers to understand, predict, and prevent breathing disruptions in infants using a vibrating mattress. Credit: Prapela https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2025/11/12165027/Infant-in-Prapela-bassinet.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=f762ddb1b6fdf03df2e3caaa56763d47"/> How federal funds fuel life-saving innovation https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/how-federal-funds-fuel-life-saving-innovation/ Thu, 20 Nov 2025 17:49:40 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=44198 Foundational breakthroughs enabled by government research grants lead to technologies changing patients’ lives for the better

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/how-federal-funds-fuel-life-saving-innovation/ Researchers put a lot of effort into preparing extensive grant applications, which then go through a lengthy review process. A small percentage receive funding. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2025/11/12163644/Kiley-Baker-and-Keysa-Garcia-Candid-Color-Corrected_04289-scaled.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=93f76f74996be3212132d618d4328d19"/> Reimagining a World Without Terminal Illness https://wyss.harvard.edu/media-post/reimagining-a-world-without-terminal-illness/ Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:00:52 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?post_type=media_post&p=43044 As he battles metastatic skin cancer, Wyss Scientific Instrument maker John Caramanica is more motivated than ever to do his part in fabricating technologies to improve the health of others and our planet. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University…

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/media-post/reimagining-a-world-without-terminal-illness/ https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2025/06/13093900/THUMBNAIL_Reimagining-a-World-Without-Terminal-Illness_No-Text-scaled.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=56e76b889894461a1015bc86610623b8"/> Reimagining the World Without Terminal Illness: John Caramanica https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/reimagining-the-world-without-terminal-illness-john-caramanica/ Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:00:45 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=42949 As he battles metastatic skin cancer, Wyss Scientific Instrument Maker John Caramanica is more motivated than ever to do his part in fabricating technologies to improve the health of others and our planet By Jessica Leff Before 5:30 AM, in the quiet stillness of the early morning, John Caramanica enters the Wyss machine shop. He turns on the devices, and while he waits for them to warm up, he proceeds one floor up to the kitchen to turn on the kettle. Once he has his tea, he sips it while sitting in the Wyss entryway, staring at the large screen, taking in news from across the Institute.

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/reimagining-the-world-without-terminal-illness-john-caramanica/ https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2025/06/13093900/THUMBNAIL_Reimagining-a-World-Without-Terminal-Illness_No-Text-scaled.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=56e76b889894461a1015bc86610623b8"/> Wyss Institute at Harvard University announces appointment of Natalie Artzi to Associate Institute Director https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/wyss-institute-at-harvard-university-announces-appointment-of-natalie-artzi-ph-d-to-associate-institute-director/ Thu, 29 May 2025 13:55:14 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=42873 Artzi will work closely with the Wyss Founding Director Don Ingber and the Wyss executive and senior leadership teams in shaping the strategic direction of the Institute By Alexandra Jirstrand (BOSTON) – The Wyss Institute at Harvard University, its Board of Directors, and Executive Leadership are pleased to announce that Natalie Artzi, Ph.D., has been appointed to a newly created position as Associate Institute Director of the Wyss Institute. In her new role, Artzi will work closely with the Wyss Founding Director Don Ingber, M.D., Ph.D.

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/wyss-institute-at-harvard-university-announces-appointment-of-natalie-artzi-ph-d-to-associate-institute-director/ In May, the Wyss announced <a href="https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/wyss-institute-at-harvard-university-announces-appointment-of-natalie-artzi-ph-d-to-associate-institute-director/">the appointment of Natalie Artzi, Ph.D. as the Associate Institute Director</a>. In this newly created position, Artzi will help shape the Institute's strategic direction and advance its multifaceted research and translation efforts. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2024/08/08145422/Natalie-Artzi-Headshot11_SM.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=c542e154ffe669f566a42c3b956d5a88"/> Implantable biosensors get a major longevity boost https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/implantable-biosensors-get-a-major-longevity-boost/ Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:55:18 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=42298 A novel coating prevents biofouling and unwanted immune reactions, paving the way to long-term in vivo monitoring in clinical diagnostics By Benjamin Boettner (BOSTON) — Wearable and implantable biosensors that can accurately detect biological molecules in a non- or minimally invasive manner have vast potential for monitoring patients’ physiology and response to therapies. For example, wearable glucose monitors that measure blood glucose levels and convert these measurements into readily readable and continuously recorded…

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]]> https://wyss.harvard.edu/news/implantable-biosensors-get-a-major-longevity-boost/ A Wyss Institute team has developed a new coating technology that holds promise to substantially increase the lifespan of implanted and wearable biosensors to enable the measurement of disease-relevant biomarkers over much longer time intervals than existing biosensors such as common glucometers are able to. Credit: halfpoint/Envato https://wyss-prod.imgix.net/app/uploads/2025/03/12140704/close-up-of-continuous-glucose-monitor-sensor-on-g-2024-10-18-10-11-25-utc-scaled.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=7add93722b9611ec42907e647ef9bcd5"/> 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"/>