Researchers are going beyond fecal samples to understand how the patterns of commensal microbes in the gastrointestinal tract influence development and health.

Selected Images of the Day from the-scientist.com

This newly described behavior occurs spontaneously, but can be modulated by food availability, temperature, and the size of the chambers.

A tiny implanted optofluidic device enables researchers to control mouse nerves without touching the animals.

An implantable wireless device with microfluidic and optical components allows manipulation of individual nerve fibers in mice’s extremities.

Bacteria grow and divide in microfluidic channels.

Membraneless organelles appear highly sensitive to ion concentrations in their environment.

Circuits made from a novel material are more flexible than ever before.  

From single-cell analysis to whole-genome sequencing, this year's best new products shine on many levels.

A new device from the Wyss Institute at Harvard University simulates the effects of cigarette smoke on human lungs.

This device models the female reproductive tract and might lead scientists to a greater understanding of fibroids, cancer, and infertility.

Scientists hope that these devices will one day replace animal models of disease and help advance personalized medicine.

New tools for investigating how physical forces affect cells

Researchers develop a method that combines the strengths of shotgun metagenomics and single-cell genome sequencing in a microfluidics-based platform.

This year’s list of winners celebrates both large leaps and small (but important) steps in life science technology.

Choosing the right model, be it 3-D or 2-D, requires wading through varied cell sources, cell types, and cell culture conditions.

Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT. Age: 34

Scientist to Watch Cullen Buie, MIT researcher, talks about his quest to devise a method for quickly determining the pathogenicity of microbes.