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Parental genetic traits linked to changes in children's DNA methylation A new study, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry , shows that parents' genetic traits-especially those of mothers-can influence how their children's DNA is expressed, even when those traits are not directly inherited.

Tongsheng Wang defended his PhD thesis at the Department of Mechanical Engineering on April 8th. What if the next big breakthrough in biotechnology was inspired not by machines-but by microscopic hairs? Deep within the intricate world of microfluidics, where tiny volumes of fluid are manipulated with extreme precision, a new player is emerging: programmable magnetic artificial cilia.

While medical centres use ultrasound daily, so far this technology is not capable of observing body tissues at the scale of cells. Physicists from TU Delft have developed a microscopy technique based on ultrasound to reveal capillaries and cells across living organs-something that wasn't possible before.

VU biological psychologists have made a significant discovery about brain aging. Their research shows that aging processes in the brain are linked to aging in the blood. Moreover, environmental factors play a major role in this process. This opens up new possibilities for the prevention and early detection of age-related brain disorders.

Researchers from the University of Twente have developed a new analysis method to rapidly study millions of individual cells and the proteins they secrete to form tissues. The researchers termed their method Extracellular Protein Identification Cytometry (EPIC). "This changes the way we can study living matter and has many potential uses such as driving fabrication of replacement organs, and accelerating development and testing of medicines", says researcher Marieke Meteling.

Lars Smolders developed an AI model to predict cognitive issues that a patient may experience after a brain tumor is removed. Patients with a glioma, a type of malignant brain tumor, can suffer from cognitive problems after surgery. However, the true effect of surgery on complex cognitive tasks is not known.

Scientists from Delft, Vienna, and Lausanne discovered that the protein machines that shape our DNA can switch direction. Until now, researchers believed that these so-called SMC motors that make loops into DNA could move in one direction only. The discovery, which is published in Cell , is key to understanding how these motors shape our genome and regulate our genes.

TU/e researchers have developed a way to make a cytoskeleton for artificial cells. The new research has been published in Nature Chemistry. Just like your body has a skeleton, every cell in your body has a skeleton - a cytoskeleton to be precise. This provides cells with mechanical resilience, as well as assisting with cell division.

Neural implants contain integrated circuits (ICs) - commonly called chips - built on silicon. These implants need to be small and flexible to mimic circumstances inside the human body. However, the environment within the body is corrosive, which raises concerns about the durability of implantable silicon ICs.

Scientists from the Kavli Institute of Delft University of Technology and the IMP Vienna Biocenter discovered a new property of the molecular motors that shape our chromosomes. While six years ago they found that these so-called SMC motor proteins make long loops in our DNA, they now discovered that these motors also put significant twists into the loops that they form.

Researchers at TU Delft have discovered that E. coli bacteria can synchronise their movements, creating order in seemingly random biological systems. By trapping individual bacteria in micro-engineered circular cavities and coupling these cavities through narrow channels, the team observed coordinated bacterial motion.

Laughter, a universal human expression, takes many forms - whether it's a chuckle, a giggle, or a full-blown guffaw. But not all laughter is created equal. New research led by social psychologist Roza Kamiloglu at VU Amsterdam reveals that laughter induced by tickling stands apart from other forms of laughter, both acoustically and perceptually.

Every year, more than 100,000 people die from the effects of a venomous snakebite. Biologist Mátyás Bittenbinder has researched how snake venom damages the human body, with the goal of developing antivenoms in the future. Additionally, there are also some 'positive aspects' to the venom. This research leads to a better understanding of snake venom.

On 17 October 2024, Martina Lamberti publicly defended her PhD thesis, "Know the Past to See the Future: Memory and Prediction in In-Vitro Cortical Neurons" , at the University of Twente. Her research sheds light on how the brain predicts future events and forms memories. These findings could open new doors in understanding neurological conditions like dementia.

The protein GBP1 is a vital component of our body's natural defence against pathogens. This substance fights against bacteria and parasites by enveloping them in a protein coat, but how the substance manages to do this has remained unknown until now. Researchers from Delft University of Technology have now unravelled how this protein operates.

Female and male primates often form close bonds, but not purely out of affection. Close relationships usually evolve when there is a clear benefit for both parties, with protection and reproductive control playing key roles. A new study, led by primatologists Liesbeth Sterck from Utrecht University and Julia Ostner from the University of Göttingen, provides theoretical insights in how these bonds are formed.

Studying how single DNA molecules behave helps us to better understand genetic disorders and design better drugs. Until now however, examining DNA molecules one-by-one was a slow process. Biophysicists from Delft University of Technology and Leiden University developed a technique that speeds up screening of individual DNA molecules at least a thousand times.

Have you ever wondered how insects are able to go so far beyond their home and still find their way? The answer to this question is not only relevant to biology but also to making the AI for tiny, autonomous robots. TU Delft drone-researchers felt inspired by biological findings on how ants visually recognize their environment and combine it with counting their steps in order to get safely back home.

Some bacteria form colonies that display striking, reflective colours. New genetic insights into the formation of such colours allowed an interdisciplinary, international team of researchers to identify the environments and bacterial groups in which these colours are found. Doing so, the team has made a start in understanding the function of these colours in bacteria.

Led by Yoeri van de Burgt and Marco Fattori, TU/e researchers have solved a major problem related to neuromorphic chips. The new research is published in Science Advances. Large-scale neural network models form the basis of many AI-based technologies such as neuromorphic chips, which are inspired by the human brain.