Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard

08/22/2026

Wyss startup Dyno Therapeutics is developing optimized Adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids to enable a new generation of more effective, safer gene therapies across a large spectrum of diseases.

The team took a systematic, unbiased synthetic biology approach, enabled by machine learning and DNA synthesis methods, to create AAV capsids with different or more selective cell-type and tissue-targeting abilities.

Dyno Therapeutics is aiming to become a leading gene therapy delivery partner for companies in this space, and to enable a new generation of more effective, safer gene therapies by harnessing optimized AAV capsids.

08/21/2026

Learn about Liqun’s journey to becoming a postdoctoral fellow at the Wyss, from moving to Canada to study physics in undergrad, to switching directions and pursuing a Ph.D. in biophysics, to his current work applying DNA nanotechnology for the detection of proteins and their interactions.

08/20/2026

Last month, the Wyss Brain Targeting Program hosted its annual partners and sponsors meeting. A hybrid group of scientists representing industry sponsors and antibody and target discovery partners presented results and exchanged ideas.

Together, they are working to address the challenge of getting therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier to better treat neurodegeneration, brain enzyme deficiencies, psychiatric disorders, brain cancers, and other brain diseases.

Learn more about the Brain Targeting Program: https://bit.ly/Brain-Targeting-Program

08/19/2026

Check out the winners of our 2026 Visions of the Wyss Image Contest!

In the spirit of breaking down silos and barriers between disciplines and industries, we're celebrating the convergence of science and art through our image contest. Members of our community submitted images in the categories of Marvelous Microscopy, Look into the Lab: Research/Technology Images, and A Force of Nature.

See all of the winners and runners-up: https://bit.ly/Visions-of-the-Wyss-26

08/18/2026

Wyss researchers have developed TIBs (Tolerance Inducing Biomaterials), a biomaterial-based therapy that delivers regulatory T cells to injury sites and maintains their pro-regenerative potential there for extended periods.

This innovation could facilitate tissue regeneration in musculoskeletal diseases and after injuries.

Easily injectable biomaterial technology to induce and localize regulatory T cells to specific tissues and sustain their pro-regenerative activities in tissue regeneration with a focus on musculoskeletal diseases and injuries.

08/17/2026

Many skin diseases and cosmetic issues share a common root in the declining function of the skin's stem cells and their progeny, but current treatments only reduce specific symptoms, rather than addressing the underlying issue.

So, Wyss researchers on the GeneSkin team are developing breakthrough mRNA therapies that focus on restoring the function of basal skin stem cells by reducing inflammation and mitigating cellular stress, which is critical for skin rejuvenation and hair restoration.

GeneSkin is developing novel mRNA therapies to rejuvenate skin and hair by targeting basal stem cells. Using advanced microneedle delivery, our non-invasive treatments aim to reduce scarring, reverse aging, and promote hair growth, offering transformative solutions for millions worldwide.

08/16/2026

We know more than ever about brain diseases, but we still can't treat them effectively. For example, 99% of clinical trials for Alzheimer's over the past 10 years have failed.

One major reason is that therapeutics cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, which protects the brain from harmful substances and pathogens.

The Wyss Brain Targeting Program is addressing this challenge. The team is identifying novel transport targets and shuttle compounds to help therapies reach the brain more effectively.

The program is organized to promote unique pre-competitive collaborations among diverse stakeholders, including competing pharma, biotech, and academic labs, granting agencies, and philanthropies.

Learn more and find out how to get involved.

Advancing brain delivery approaches that enable more safe and effective brain-targeted therapeutics.

08/15/2026

What if there was a better way to diagnose diseases like ovarian cancer earlier?

Wyss researchers have developed an assay and platform to collect novel biomarkers in the form of extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from cells. EVs can provide a better understanding of how disease starts in organs and tissues that are typically inaccessible to diagnostics.

A non-invasive method to identify biomarkers of disease across cell types and develop diagnostics and monitoring systems.

08/14/2026

"It’s been really satisfying to be part of enabling people interested in computation to have a place to express their interest and interact with one another. It’s rewarding to see this expand and thrive," explains Scientist Russell Gould.

Russell is part of the Wyss Translational AI Catalyst and works on multiple projects, always identifying the most effective ways to use biological data in a practical, predictive model to solve problems.

Learn more about Russell and his work.

The Humans of the Wyss (HOW) series features members of the Wyss community discussing their work, the influences that shape them as professionals, and their collaborations at the Wyss Institute and beyond. Russell Gould wants to know why. Seeking a flexible, open career path after serving in the mil...

08/13/2026

Wyss startup Prapela's vibrating mattress pad uses stochastic resonance to deliver barely detectable vibrations to infants that help to stabilize their breathing and soothe them, reducing the risk of life-threatening apnea and reducing the symptoms of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome.

Wyss pediatric biotech startup Prapela is commercializing a gently vibrating mattress pad that helps soothe infants and normalize their breathing. This medical device can be used to address a variety of health conditions, including infant apnea and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome.