Charged nanobubbles in culture media differentially affect viability of human iPSC-derived neurons

This study demonstrates that both positively and negatively charged nanobubbles induce cytotoxicity in human iPSC-derived neurons within culture media, with positively charged nanobubbles exhibiting stronger cell-killing effects likely due to electrostatic interactions with the negatively charged cell membrane or enhanced radical generation.

Liu, Y., Ohdaira, T., Kitakata, E. + 5 more2026-02-17📄 bioengineering

Focal Neurostimulation of Calcium Signaling and Dopamine Release in Human Dopaminergic Neurons Using Megahertz-range Single-Pulse Focused Ultrasound

This study demonstrates that single-pulse megahertz-range focused ultrasound delivered via a small intracranial implant prototype can causally trigger intracellular calcium signaling and dopamine release specifically in human dopaminergic neurons, highlighting its potential as a targeted, non-invasive neuromodulation tool for treating dopaminergic-related pathologies.

Khodayari, S., Suarez-Castellanos, I., Perier, M. + 5 more2026-02-17📄 bioengineering

MicrowellMicrofluidicsMiner (M3): Leverage Large Language Model Agents for Knowledge Mining of Microwell Microfluidics

This paper introduces MicrowellMicrofluidicsMiner (M3), a framework leveraging large language model agents to autonomously extract and curate microwell microfluidics design parameters from unstructured literature, achieving a 78% accuracy rate that significantly outperforms standalone models and facilitates data-driven device optimization.

Nguyen, D.-N., Shakil, S., Tong, R. K. Y. + 1 more2026-02-17📄 bioengineering

Hierarchically engineered multi-enzyme nanoreactors for in vitro drug biosynthesis and pathway transplantation into cells

This study demonstrates that hierarchically engineered MIL-101 metal-organic framework nanoreactors can encapsulate the entire six-enzyme violacein biosynthesis pathway to significantly enhance in vitro production, enable storage and reuse, and successfully deliver the functional multi-enzyme system into mammalian cells for intracellular drug biosynthesis.

Sharip, A., Qutub, S. S., Farooqui, M. M. + 10 more2026-02-17📄 bioengineering

Tuning selectivity of electrochemical sensors with polymer coatings

This study demonstrates that depositing poly(4-vinylpyridine) coatings on electrochemical sensors shifts the oxidation potentials of biomarkers like ascorbic acid and serotonin, thereby resolving overlapping signals and enabling highly selective detection in complex mixtures, a strategy that remains effective even on nanostructured, stretchable electrodes.

Weber, I. C., Zosso, Y., Patino, D. U. + 3 more2026-02-17📄 bioengineering

A chemically defined and xeno-free hydrogel system for regenerative medicine.

This study presents a chemically defined, xeno-free hydrogel system called "Alphagel" and its liver-specific variant "Hepatogel," which effectively support the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into various tissues and significantly enhance the retention of transplanted hepatocytes in vivo, offering a promising platform for clinically translatable regenerative medicine therapies.

Ong, J., Gibbons, G., Lim, Y. S. + 11 more2026-02-16📄 bioengineering

Mapping the Fascicular Morphology and Organization of the Human Sciatic Nerve via High-Resolution MicroCT Imaging

This study presents a novel high-resolution microCT methodology combined with deep learning segmentation to map the 3D fascicular organization of the human sciatic nerve, revealing distinct anteromedial topography of hamstring-innervating fibers that can guide the development of more effective neuroprostheses for restoring standing and walking.

Zhang, J., Lam, V. H., Nuzov, N. B. + 10 more2026-02-16📄 bioengineering