Biodesign Institute

Diodes are used in an endless array of devices. They are essential ingredients for the semiconductor industry. Making diodes smaller means cheaper cost and better performance for electronic devices. ASU researchers have now made diodes on the scale of a single molecule.--by Richard Harth

Scientists are using new screening techniques to isolate the genes needed to make effective vaccines. --by Richard Harth

Single DNA mutations can make the difference between robust health and debilitating illness, but how do we know which mutations are which? Current tests aren't very reliable, but ASU scientists are helping find better ways to decipher our genetic codes. --by Richard Harth

Scientists are taking high-speed motion pictures of photosynthetic reactions that happen in a millionth of a millionth of a second. Their results have revealed a surprising twist to photosynthesis. --by Joe Caspermeyer

"Smart" nanomaterials allow scientists to investigate biological interactions within the body's cells at the molecular level. This could lead to new diagnostic tools and customized therapy and prevention. (part 3 of 3) --by Joe Kullman

A new study suggests that the composition of microbes in the gut may be one reason why gastric-bypass surgery is so effective. It also helps solidify the link between methane-producing microbes and obesity.--by Richard Harth

ASU researchers create intricate structures on a scale almost unfathomably small. Their building material is the DNA molecule, which offers nearly limitless construction potential. --by Richard Harth

Personalized medicine based on your unique genetic makeup may soon be a reality. New technology could reduce the cost and speed of sequencing the entire human genome to $1,000 in 24 hours. --by Joe Caspermeyer

A team of researchers has completed a global assessment of newborns' umbilical cord blood to study the fetal health risks from smoking mothers. --by Joe Caspermeyer

By infecting fruit flies with a strain of Salmonella, ASU researchers are learning about key cell regulatory processes. They are helping us understand embryonic development, immune function and congenital diseases in humans. --by Rick Overson