Wyss InstituteSynthetic Biology – Wyss Institute https://wyss.stage.a17.io Wyss Institute at Harvard Thu, 30 Jul 2026 21:38:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.6 The Dish Live with special guest George Church https://wyss.stage.a17.io/media-post/the-dish-live-with-special-guest-george-church/ Thu, 02 Jan 2025 15:24:53 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?post_type=media_post&p=41759 In this very special live taping of “The Dish,” host Johannes Fruehauf sits down with renowned geneticist and Wyss Core Faculty member, George Church, Ph.D. Widely known for discovering the first direct genomic sequencing method, Church has reshaped the world of genetics. A professor at Harvard and MIT and a founding professor at the Wyss Institute, Church has co-founded over 50 startups—15+ of…

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]]> https://wyss.stage.a17.io/media-post/the-dish-live-with-special-guest-george-church/ A pioneer in CRISPR gene-editing technology, Church has been instrumental in advancing genetic research with real-world applications, including breakthroughs in organ transplantation and gene therapies. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University. https://wyss-stage.imgix.net/app/uploads/2017/01/10173821/George-Church-headshot-003.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=5039c32281e5c367e211a9075ebfb2ee"/> SeqVerify: A New Easily Accessible Tool for Comprehensive Cell Line Quality Assessment – The Stem Cell Report https://wyss.stage.a17.io/media-post/seqverify-a-new-easily-accessible-tool-for-comprehensive-cell-line-quality-assessment-the-stem-cell-report/ Thu, 12 Dec 2024 16:54:17 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?post_type=media_post&p=41687 During the last decade, advances in genome editing and pluripotent stem cell (PSC) culture have let researchers generate edited PSC lines to study a wide variety of biological questions. However, abnormalities in cell lines such as aneuploidy, mutations, on-target and off-target editing errors, and microbial contamination can arise during PSC culture or due to undesired editing outcomes.

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]]> https://wyss.stage.a17.io/media-post/seqverify-a-new-easily-accessible-tool-for-comprehensive-cell-line-quality-assessment-the-stem-cell-report/ https://wyss-stage.imgix.net/app/uploads/2024/12/12115235/George-Church-Merrick-Listing-Image.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=016dad3d8050b9cf9782c3bd60bfa898"/> CRISPR’s Impact, Today https://wyss.stage.a17.io/news/crisprs-impact-today/ Mon, 21 Oct 2024 12:00:08 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=40926 Keeping CRISPR’s promise for patients in need By Seth Kroll (BOSTON) — In the not-so-distant past, CRISPR, the revolutionary gene-editing technology, was discovered as a defense system protecting bacteria against viruses. Today, with the persistence and ingenuity of many scientists, it is no longer just the subject of fascinating academic research papers and speculative discussions on its future usefulness for medicine.

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]]> https://wyss.stage.a17.io/news/crisprs-impact-today/ Slayman with (left to right) Dr. Leo Riella, Medical Director of Kidney Transplantation, Dr. Nahel Elias, Interim Chief, Division of Transplant Surgery, his partner, Faren, and Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, Director, Legorreta Center for Clinical Transplant Tolerance. CREDITS: Michelle Rose/Massachusetts General Hospital https://wyss-stage.imgix.net/app/uploads/2024/09/09093712/20240403_mcr_transplant_patient_010-1.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=911871f7428259dbd6ffadedb29de92e"/> Preventing pollution with bioinspired solutions https://wyss.stage.a17.io/news/preventing-pollution-with-bioinspired-solutions/ Tue, 17 Sep 2024 21:14:47 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=41014 Three Wyss projects aim to reduce global pollution through better detection, greener alternatives, and creating value from waste By Lindsay Brownell In honor of Pollution Prevention Week, we’re highlighting three Wyss projects that are taking on the formidable problems of PFAS and plastic – persistent and toxic pollutants that threaten the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals,” are toxic substances that increase the risk of many health…

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]]> https://wyss.stage.a17.io/news/preventing-pollution-with-bioinspired-solutions/ Caption https://wyss-stage.imgix.net/app/uploads/2024/09/17121336/top-view-of-globe-in-plastic-bag-with-garbage-arou-2023-11-27-05-24-14-utc.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=f2ae1fb94b0aad11528ff3070f87737b"/> Starting a fluorescent biosensor revolution https://wyss.stage.a17.io/news/starting-a-fluorescent-biosensor-revolution/ Thu, 05 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=40904 Molecular biosensors that only light up upon binding their targets open vast possibilities for medical diagnostics, fundamental research, environmental monitoring, and more By Benjamin Boettner (BOSTON) — Biosensors – devices that use biological molecules to detect the presence of a target substance – have enormous potential for detecting disease biomarkers, molecules-in-action in diverse biological processes, or toxins and other harmful substances in the environment. One of the more common types, fluorescent biosensors, consists of a target-binding biomolecule…

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]]> https://wyss.stage.a17.io/news/starting-a-fluorescent-biosensor-revolution/ As an “instant COVID-19 diagnostic,” a binding-activated biosensor, developed to bind the Spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is able to detect its target within milliseconds as shown by the development of green fluorescence in this sample. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University https://wyss-stage.imgix.net/app/uploads/2024/09/03234828/Fluorescent-Biosensor_Squeeze.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=6e0ac9a6202adb965f6d55a4958f4317"/> ACE-ing protein detection in single cells https://wyss.stage.a17.io/news/ace-ing-protein-detection-in-single-cells/ Tue, 30 Jul 2024 14:55:40 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=40516 ACE, a new DNA-powered signal amplification technology, dramatically increases sensitivity of mass cytometry, opening new windows on many biological and pathological processes By Benjamin Boettner (BOSTON) — Since the 1950s, researchers have used a famous method invented by Wallace Coulter known as “flow cytometry” to characterize different types of immune cells in research studies and in blood samples from human individuals. This has enabled a much deeper understanding of immune cell development as well as new ways to assess human health and diagnose various blood…

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]]> https://wyss.stage.a17.io/news/ace-ing-protein-detection-in-single-cells/ ACE technology enables highly multiplexed and sensitive signal amplification to detect proteins in single cells using suspension mass cytometry single-cell suspension and imaging mass cytometry analysis. This illustration shows how proteins in individual cells of a tissue section can be quantified with ACE-enhanced antibodies binding to them. Credit: Su Min Suh/SciStories https://wyss-stage.imgix.net/app/uploads/2024/07/29091918/ACE-technology-graphic_wide.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=8759875e249a0cbfd68d826011cce399"/> A better way to make RNA drugs https://wyss.stage.a17.io/news/a-better-way-to-make-rna-drugs/ Fri, 12 Jul 2024 09:00:40 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=39895 New enzymatic synthesis method developed at Wyss Institute expands RNA therapeutic capabilities while eliminating toxic byproducts of standard chemical synthesis By Lindsay Brownell (BOSTON) — While the COVID-19 vaccines introduced many people to RNA-based medicines, oligonucleotides have already been on the market for years to treat diseases like Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and amyloidosis. RNA therapies offer many advantages over traditional small molecule drugs, including their ability to address almost any genetic component within cells and to guide…

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]]> https://wyss.stage.a17.io/news/a-better-way-to-make-rna-drugs/ Single-stranded RNA is a valuable basis for new drugs, but chemically synthesizing it is costly and damaging to the environment. A new enzymatic RNA synthesis method developed at the Wyss offers a better solution. Credit: Shutterstock https://wyss-stage.imgix.net/app/uploads/2019/10/10142259/RNA_shutterstock_1203487687.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=b07e54bbae4a1dd66f3aa98386185b80"/> AminoX: Making Better Protein Drugs, Quicker and Cheaper https://wyss.stage.a17.io/media-post/aminox-making-better-protein-drugs-quicker-and-cheaper/ Wed, 10 Jul 2024 13:56:00 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?post_type=media_post&p=40393 A synthetic biology and advanced chemistry platform that efficiently incorporates non-standard amino acids by hacking the ubiquitous protein synthesis process. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University…

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]]> https://wyss.stage.a17.io/media-post/aminox-making-better-protein-drugs-quicker-and-cheaper/ https://wyss-stage.imgix.net/app/uploads/2024/07/10095538/Video-Thumbnail-AminoX-No-Text.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=c4bd9cd62f212831fb0068e8a9918029"/> A model of Collaborative Ethics to guide translational research from fundamental discoveries to real-world applications https://wyss.stage.a17.io/news/a-model-of-collaborative-ethics-to-guide-translational-research-from-fundamental-discoveries-to-real-world-applications/ Tue, 25 Jun 2024 14:55:06 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=40318 Multi-stage process driven by close and continued collaboration between scientists and ethicists ensures that new breakthrough technologies are safe and beneficial for all By Benjamin Boettner (BOSTON) — In sciences, disruptive research that is breaking new ground often raises new and not-yet-explored ethical questions. Although new scientific breakthroughs can have the power to change how we understand and live in the world, the ethical implications of technologies that will emerge based on these new insights can affect an emerging field’s public acceptance and…

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]]> https://wyss.stage.a17.io/news/a-model-of-collaborative-ethics-to-guide-translational-research-from-fundamental-discoveries-to-real-world-applications/ 02/10/2017 BOSTON, MA Bioethicist Jeantine Lunshof (cq) poses for a portrait at Harvard Medical School. (Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe) https://wyss-stage.imgix.net/app/uploads/2019/07/23151323/Jeantine-Lunshof-headshot.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=1d6fdc21b39cb23fd08089bf01d3ec21"/> Alex Plesa on Reversing Aging https://wyss.stage.a17.io/news/humans-of-the-wyss-alex-plesa-on-reversing-aging/ Thu, 30 May 2024 13:00:18 +0000 https://wyss.harvard.edu/?p=40026 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. Most people believe that declining health as we age is an unfortunate, inevitable fact of life – but not Alex Plesa. He thinks the reason we think we can’t change it is because we don’t…

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]]> https://wyss.stage.a17.io/news/humans-of-the-wyss-alex-plesa-on-reversing-aging/ Alex Plesa, Postdoctoral Fellow. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University https://wyss-stage.imgix.net/app/uploads/2024/05/28094559/Alex-Plesa-07200.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&crop=faces%2Centropy&fit=crop&h=400&q=50&w=300&s=811e245d112be9f293681e9a1f16b2a5"/>