News from the NNI Community - Research Advances Funded by Agencies Participating in the NNI

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have demonstrated that a type of biodegradable, lab-engineered nanoparticle they fashioned can successfully deliver a "suicide gene" to pediatric brain tumor cells implanted in the brains of mice. The researchers found that a combination of the suicide gene and ganciclovir delivered by intraperitoneal injection to mice killed more than 65% of two types of pediatric brain tumor cells.

Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have found that a type of vaccine called a nucleoside-modified mRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (mRNA-LNP) vaccine, which was developed at Penn, successfully protected young mice against infections in the presence of maternal antibodies. The study suggests that this protection occurred because the vaccine programs cells to constantly churn out new antigens for a prolonged period of time, rather than delivering a one-time shot of a viral protein.

Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have found that a type of vaccine called a nucleoside-modified mRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (mRNA-LNP) vaccine, which was developed at Penn, successfully protected young mice against infections in the presence of maternal antibodies. The study suggests that this protection occurred because the vaccine programs cells to constantly churn out new antigens for a prolonged period of time, rather than delivering a one-time shot of a viral protein.

Researchers at Columbia University and the University of California San Diego have, for the first time, combined an optical nano-probe with magnetic nano-imaging to simultaneously examine electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of quantum materials.

Researchers at Columbia University and the University of California San Diego have, for the first time, combined an optical nano-probe with magnetic nano-imaging to simultaneously examine electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of quantum materials.

Researchers at The Ohio State University have developed a way to prop up a struggling immune system to enable its fight against sepsis, a deadly condition resulting from the body's extreme reaction to infection. This work combined two primary types of technology: using vitamins as the main component in making lipid nanoparticles, and using those nanoparticles to capitalize on natural cell processes in the creation of a new antibacterial drug.

Researchers at The Ohio State University have developed a way to prop up a struggling immune system to enable its fight against sepsis, a deadly condition resulting from the body's extreme reaction to infection. This work combined two primary types of technology: using vitamins as the main component in making lipid nanoparticles, and using those nanoparticles to capitalize on natural cell processes in the creation of a new antibacterial drug.

Researchers at Iowa State University have developed new nanoscale technology to image and measure more of the stresses and strains on materials under high pressures. The technology consists of a series of nanoscale sensors inserted into diamonds, which are used to exert high pressures on tiny material samples. The technology allows researchers to image, measure, and calculate six different stresses – a more comprehensive and realistic measure of the effects of high pressure on materials.

Researchers at Iowa State University have developed new nanoscale technology to image and measure more of the stresses and strains on materials under high pressures. The technology consists of a series of nanoscale sensors inserted into diamonds, which are used to exert high pressures on tiny material samples. The technology allows researchers to image, measure, and calculate six different stresses – a more comprehensive and realistic measure of the effects of high pressure on materials.

Researchers at Penn State and New York University have developed a device to quickly capture and identify various strains of viruses. The device uses arrays of nanotubes that capture different viruses according to their size and uses Raman spectroscopy to identify the viruses based on their individual vibrations. Because of its size and cheapness, such a device could be useful in a doctor’s office and in locations where disease outbreaks occur.