Four groundbreaking advances in the life sciences industry

Scientists have developed a method to make flexible and customisable microneedle electrode arrays that can stretch. These tiny needles can be tailored for specific purposes like sensing or stimulating different parts of the body and are good for sticking into tissues and moving with them - making them useful for tasks like recording muscle activity. These microneedles could be handy for various medical applications, from monitoring brain signals to delivering drugs. The scientists who developed these needles tested them in the mouth tissue in a sea slug (Aplysia californica). The sea slug’s mouth tissue is responsible for functions like feeding, biting and swallowing, and the muscle groups tested expand and retract, which is why the needles must be stretchy (so they don’t break or damage the tissue).

The needles have a bright future, with myriad potential use cases. Think implantable devices, prosthetics, and deep brain stimulation, for starters.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease-causing painful swelling, bone erosion and joint deformity. In autoimmune disorders, like RA, the immune system wrongly believes that something is going wrong in the body. In the case of RA, the immune system thinks there is something wrong with the tissues that make up joint linings and attacks these tissues - causing inflammation.

Managing RA requires ongoing care and researchers have developed an Integrated Smart Device (ISD) - a wearable tool - equipped with tiny needles to track inflammation and deliver treatment through the skin. These needles, made of a special material, measure inflammation levels and administer medication as needed - effectively reducing inflammation in lab and animal tests.

The ISD (which uses flexible electronics and tiny needles) not only monitors inflammation but also delivers drugs and provides electrical stimulation. While effective in reducing inflammation in rats with arthritis, further research is needed to address challenges such as incomplete predictions of inflammation. Nevertheless, the ISD shows promise in revolutionising RA management and potentially treating other chronic diseases. Future studies will focus on its effectiveness in clinical settings and exploring applications in diseases like diabetes and depression.

Scientists have developed soft grippers for drones, inspired by the gripping capacity of plant tendrils. These grippers are able to adapt their shape to grasp objects - similar to how tendrils wrap around branches for support. The grippers are activated by passing an electrical current through them so that they are able to grasp delicate objects, such as a bouquet of flowers or a branch floating in water. By mimicking natural processes, scientists have created grippers that are lightweight, adaptable and capable of grasping objects in various environments without the need for complex control systems. 

This development is an advancement in the life sciences field as it applies principles from biology to create innovative solutions for robotics and aerial technology. It demonstrates how insights from the study of biological structures can be translated into practical applications, expanding our understanding of biomechanics and bioinspired engineering.