Scientists have been working with #mice to put a stop to #metastasis, which causes the spread of #cancer cells in a patient"s body. - http://clapway.com/2015/09/11/mice-metastasis-cancer123/

Once cancer cells spread throughout the body, in a process known as metastasis, the mortality rate for cancer patients greatly increases. For this reason, scientists have been working tirelessly to combat the issue. Now, researchers at the University of Michigan in the Department of Biomedical Engineering may have found the solution: an implantable device that can detect metastasis early.

Preventing Metastasis in Patients

Preventing metastasis is key in order to grant a cancer patient a longer life. This is difficult to do – even with effective treatment – because the process generally goes unnoticed until after it has already spread cancer cells to other parts of the body. The new device, however, allows doctors to identify metastasis sooner, which, in turn, will cause treatments to also become more effective.

How this device works

The device, measuring 5mm in diameter, is created from a biosynthetic substance that has already been approved by the FDA. It essentially acts as a sponge that soaks up cancer cells in the tissue it is implanted in. Simultaneously, it functions as a beacon for immune cells, which flock to the device. As a result, cancer cells naturally follow and end up attaching themselves to the implant, along with the immune cells. Not only does this help with the early detection of metastasis, it is also able to prevent the spread of cancer by actually capturing the cancerous cells.

Testing on mice

So far, tests conducted on mice have shown promising results, although human trials have yet to begin. As part of the clinical study, the device was implanted into mice with breast cancer, and within two weeks, all the cancer cells had moved to the implant and stopped multiplying. Given the positive test results, the researchers are optimistic that the new technology will have the same impact on humans.

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Impants In Mice To Prevent Cancer Metastasis

Studying #optogenetics in #mice pays off... - http://clapway.com/2015/08/19/you-can-now-wirelessly-control-a-mouse-using-optogenetics-324/

Scientists at Stanford University have changed the game of optogenetics by making it wireless. You can now manipulate brain activity in mice without using a bunch of wires attached to their head.

What is optogenetics?

Optogenetics is a technique invented to manipulate brain activity using light. Developed in 2010, this method is used to study the activities of brain and spinal cord by mapping how they respond to light. As the name suggests, this uses a combination of ‘optics’ (light) and ‘genetics’ (genes). In order to make them sensitive to light, neurons are genetically modified to express light-sensitive proteins called opsins. Since its inception, optogenetics has revolutionized the field of (neuroscience); it has provided answers to pressing questions in the field of Parkinson’s, pain management, and stroke.

Find out more light tech in mice and memories!

The latest in optogenetics: wireless implantable devices

Traditionally, optogenetics uses fiber optic wires attached to the mouse’s head to deliver the light for stimulation. While this setup might work for a mouse in an enclosed cage, it is quite restrictive when studying mice behaviors like burrowing and interactions with other mice. Also, attaching the wires before every experiment disrupts their natural rhythm, possibly stressing them out. These factors could confound the results obtained for studies on mood disorders like depression or schizophrenia, which heavily rely on social interactions. The Bio-X team at Stanford University has found the perfect solution to unfettering the mice.

How does this device work?

Building the implantable light-emitting device wasn’t difficult for the scientists. Powering the device was. A localized power source that would track the mouse’s movements throughout the experiment was too bulky and would defeat the purpose. So, Dr. Ada Poon, one of the researchers on this team had the idea of using the mouse’s own body to power the device. Here’s how they made it work: they first built a cavity that could amplify and store radio-frequency energy.

In order to prevent it from getting out, they enclosed the cavity using a grid that had holes smaller than the wavelength of radio waves. This way, the energy stays trapped inside, except when something comes in contact with the grid⎯say a mouse. Since the wavelength of this light is the same as that would resonate in a mouse. Therefore, when in contact with the grid the mouse essentially acts as conduit channeling the radio frequency energy to power the light-emitting device. We now have a mouse powering a tiny device that can be implanted under the skin, and light up wherever the mouse chooses to go.

This wireless innovation will definitely make behavioral studies in mice easier and free from any confounding factors. Also, since we do not have genetically engineered neurons in our bodies, we don’t have to worry about these devices controlling our brains anytime soon.

Find out more about how mice help save lives!

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On that light tech grind…

You Can Now Wirelessly Control a Mouse Using Optogenetics