Scientists at City of Hope have devised an innovative approach to target and destroy hard-to-kill leukemia stem cells. The journal Blood published the preclinical findings today. By overcoming challenges, such as drug resistance and treatment relapse common to patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the therapy method could provide a less toxic and more effective approach for older and sicker patients who don't qualify for stem cell transplants; currently the only cure for AML available. 

A team of biomedical engineering students has partnered with a humanitarian organization to produce dozens of 3D-printed prosthetic limbs for children at an affordable cost. Senior Alec Tripi has led a partnership since last year with e-NABLE—a national organization known for creating the first 3D printable prosthetic hand and sharing open-source designs for assistive devices—which connects amputees with prosthetics free of cost. Tripi said his team has donated dozens of these medical devices over the past few months to organizations like Infinite Technologies Orthotics and Prosthetics. 

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative announced on February 29 a $4 million grant to support research led by the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering that will examine cellular behaviors, many of which play a key role in developing immunity to pathogens and disease. Led by UCLA Samueli bioengineering Professor Dino Di Carlo, the Los Angeles team will engineer, manipulate, and analyze cell-to-cell interactions that underlie complex multicellular systems, including immune cells and muscle cells.