human cells

Researchers have developed artificial intelligence capable of interpreting the chemical signals, or epigenetic instructions, that determine what type of cell an embryo cell will become. The advance could deepen understanding of early development and birth defects, and raises ethical questions about how far AI should go in decoding the origins of human life.

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have grown living human skin on a robotic finger, a bioengineering milestone reported by tech media. The cultured skin, built from human cells, covers the robotic digit and could one day give robots a lifelike appearance and touch sensitivity, with applications also envisioned in cosmetics testing and regenerative medicine.

The molluscum contagiosum virus, a common skin infection, apparently retains a gene it took from humans at some point in its evolutionary history. The New York Times reports on the finding, which highlights how viruses can acquire and keep host genes, offering insight into virus evolution and how the pathogen manipulates human skin cells. Scientists say such stolen genes may help explain why the virus persists so effectively in people.

Biotech company Vyriad has begun the first-in-human clinical trial of VV169, an in vivo CAR T therapy that engineers immune cells inside the patient's body rather than in a lab. The early-stage trial marks a first step in testing the safety of the experimental cancer treatment in people, an approach watched closely as it could simplify a cell therapy process that is currently complex and costly.

Researchers publishing in Nature have used spatially resolved multiomics to map how the human meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, develop. The work traces cell lineages during development and links them to disease dynamics, offering a reference for understanding neurological disorders tied to meningeal biology. It is being discussed among researchers following developmental biology and single-cell genomics.

Two new scientific papers argue that aging is driven by the progressive loss of cell identity, in which cells lose their specialized function over time. Eric Topol discussed the findings, drawing attention among readers interested in longevity research. The work suggests that maintaining or restoring cellular identity could become a target for future anti-aging therapies.

A study published in Nature presents a large-scale mapping of functional signaling landscapes across the human phosphoproteome. The work charts how phosphorylation sites drive cellular signaling, offering a resource for understanding cell regulation and disease mechanisms. Researchers in molecular biology say such maps could help identify new drug targets, though broader reaction and follow-up are still limited.

Astrophysics researchers suggest Earth's magnetic field is heading for a reversal, which could increase ionizing charged particles reaching the equator by up to 25%. Such particles can damage human cells and may interfere with atmospheric processes. The claim is circulating widely online, with readers debating how severe the health and climate consequences of a weakened magnetic field during a pole flip could actually be.

Researchers report finding a biological 'switch' that could potentially extend lifespans. The discovery centers on AMPK, an ancient enzyme that helps cells survive when energy levels are low. By activating this mechanism, scientists believe it may be possible to slow aging processes, though the finding is at an early stage and human applications remain unproven.

Researchers have published a phosphoproteome atlas of human cell lines in Nature, charting the landscape of kinase activity across a broad set of cell models. The resource links phosphorylation patterns to kinase function and is expected to help researchers study cell signalling and support cancer and drug discovery research using cell line models.

Physician-scientist Eric Topol highlights research suggesting that aging in humans is driven by the progressive loss of cell identity, as cells lose their specialized functions over time. The claim frames aging as a problem of cellular de-differentiation rather than simple wear and tear, a view generating interest among researchers and science readers debating what truly causes biological decline.

New research indicates the human immune system does not decline gradually with age but instead shifts in two distinct waves, around ages 40 and 65. Scientists link these transitions to changes in immune cell composition that may affect susceptibility to disease as people get older. The findings are drawing attention as they could reshape thinking on healthy aging, disease risk and the timing of preventive care.

In Melbourne, Australia, a biological computer built from living human brain cells is being maintained like a living organism — it must be fed, kept warm and cleaned every few days or it dies. The system, called the CL1, is made by an Australian company and is drawing attention as a striking example of biocomputing, where lab-grown neurons perform computational tasks.

The Evening Standard reports on a new frontier in computing: data centres that use lab-grown human brain cells to process information. The technology, often called biocomputing, uses cultivated neurons that can learn and adapt, raising the prospect of far more energy-efficient computing than silicon-based systems, alongside ethical questions about the use of living human tissue in machines.

Researchers have introduced a new computational benchmark designed to measure how accurately lab-grown human embryo models replicate real human embryonic development. The tool allows scientists to systematically compare stem-cell-derived embryo models against genuine developmental data, helping assess their fidelity and limitations. The work is being discussed in the bioengineering and developmental biology community as embryo models raise both scientific promise and ethical questions.

Researchers have identified hair cells on squid that resemble the sensory hair cells in the human inner ear, according to Phys.org. The discovery could help scientists understand how such cells work and why they deteriorate, offering a possible new avenue for studying hearing loss in humans. Squid, whose hair cells are external and easier to observe, may serve as a useful model organism for future research into auditory damage and regeneration.

A new image of Acanthamoeba, a microscopic single-celled organism found in soil, freshwater and other environments, has been released via a science news outlet. Acanthamoeba is known to cause rare but serious eye and brain infections in humans, particularly among contact lens wearers. No further details about the image or its context were provided.

Scientists have discovered hair cells on squid that resemble those found in the human inner ear. Researchers say the finding could open new avenues for studying how hearing works and why it deteriorates, potentially guiding future research into hearing loss treatments. The work highlights how marine animals can serve as useful models for understanding basic human biology.

Scientists simulated microgravity conditions in human cells in the laboratory and discovered unexpected effects on DNA. The findings add to growing evidence that altered gravity can influence how genetic material behaves, with implications for astronaut health and long-duration space missions. Details of the study and the exact nature of the DNA changes were not specified in available coverage.