Biology and Neurology
Press Releases
Zenda Technologies Offers Quick, Early Detection of Alzheimer's
(January 13, 2009) — Alzheimer's disease — the progressive brain disease that slowly takes away memory and thinking skills — is the most common cause of dementia among older people. As many as 4.5 million Americans and 18 million people worldwide suffer from the disease, and for caregivers, the tolls are physical, emotional and financial. In fact, Alzheimer's is one of the most economically costly diseases to society in developed countries.
Brain Reorganizes to Adjust for Loss of Vision
(November 20, 2008) — A new study from Georgia Tech shows that when patients with macular degeneration focus on using another part of their retina to compensate for their loss of central vision, their brain seems to compensate by reorganizing its neural connections. Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly. The study appears in the December edition of the journal Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience.
Study Reveals How Multiple Viruses Can Determine Bacterial Cell Fate
(September 15, 2008) — Bacteria-infecting viruses make collective decisions about whether to kill host cell. A new study suggests that bacteria-infecting viruses — called phages — can make collective decisions about whether to kill host cells immediately after infection or enter a latent state to remain within the host cell.
Peptide Discovered in Scorpion Venom May Be Key to Secretory Diseases
February 14, 2008 — Researchers have discovered a peptide in scorpion venom that may hold the key to understanding and controlling cystic fibrosis and other secretory diseases. An international team of researchers describes how this novel peptide, called GaTx1, can control the movement of ions and water out of cells by interacting with a crucial chloride channel.
Polymer with Neurotransmitter Promotes Nerve Growth
Strategy encourages regeneration of damaged central nervous system cells
December 11, 2007 — Georgia Tech researchers reported a potential strategy for encouraging the regeneration of damaged central nervous system cells known as neurons. The technique would use a biodegradable polymer containing a chemical group that mimics the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to spur the growth of neurites, which are projections that form the connections among neurons and between neurons and other cells. The biomimetic polymers would then guide the growth of the regenerating nerve.