Researchers at the MDI Biological Laboratory have identified how zebrafish regenerate and reconnect new kidney filtration units after injury, revealing a coordinated cellular process that allows newly formed nephrons to integrate into the kidney’s existing tubule network. The study, published in the journal Development, shows that specialized cells at the connection site briefly adopt invasive behaviors—extending protrusions that initiate the physical link between new and old structures—while neighboring cells simultaneously divide and expand the growing tubule. The work also identifies intersecting signaling pathways, including canonical and non-canonical branches of Wnt signaling mediated by the receptor fzd9b, that orient the connection and regulate cell behavior. Understanding how zebrafish achieve this precise integration may help researchers overcome a major obstacle in regenerative medicine: enabling lab-grown tissues and organoids to connect into existing organs and become fully functional.

With a new grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a team of researchers led by Case Western Reserve University is developing advanced nanocomposite materials for sustainable food-packaging designed to help food stay fresh longer while reducing the environmental impact. 

The Case Western Reserve-led research will focus on developing environmentally friendly packaging materials from renewable biological resources, including plant-based materials, such as corn, wood and agricultural residues.

The team will design biodegradable films that incorporate natural melanin-based nanoparticles. That material will help protect food from microbes, ultraviolet light and oxidation while maintaining mechanical strength, transparency and effective barrier performance.

A study of forests in Nepal’s Annapurna region reveals how elevation and precipitation shape forest structure in the Central Himalaya. Windward slopes support dense, broad-leaved forests, while drier leeward slopes have open, conifer-dominated stands. Despite these differences, overall forest structural complexity remains similar across tree-line ecotones. Elevation and precipitation were identified as the primary drivers of tree height and forest complexity, with tree height declining steadily at higher elevations and structural complexity remaining stable until near the tree line. The findings highlight the importance of considering both topography and climate in forest conservation and management.

Los Angeles, CA — March 17, 2026 — The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) is proud to announce that Principal Investigator Dr. Aliesha O’Raw, Co-Founder of OnVagus, has been selected for the 2026 American Cancer Society (ACS) BrightEdge Entrepreneurs (BEE) Program cohort. The BrightEdge Entrepreneurs Program is a competitive program for startups in the cancer diagnostic and therapeutic space, providing mentorship and entrepreneur training alongside early-stage investment support, including a $100,000 SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) backed by ACS’ BrightEdge Investment Fund.