Life Sciences

Researchers at the Center for Life Sciences at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have for the first time identified structural changes in the botulinum neurotoxin, botox for short, that are believed to be crucial for its uptake into nerve cells. This could mean that the paralysing effect of this potent neurotoxin could be used more selectively and efficiently in the future, for example in pain therapy. The study was published today in the journal Nature Communications.

Thanks to new high-frequency electrical stimulation that blocks spasticity, two paralyzed patients suffering from muscle stiffness after spinal cord injury benefit from rehabilitation protocols for walking again.

Scientists at EPFL have developed "lymphomoids," a pioneering cancer model that preserves the structure and multicellular composition of lymphoma tumors in the lab. Lymphomoids offer an innovative way to test the efficacy of lymphoma treatments and better predict individual responses.

A new generation of wearable sensors will fundamentally change medicine. Researchers at ETH Zurich and international experts have now published an overview showing what is possible with such sensors and what questions their developers should consider to ensure their successful future use.

A study from EPFL reveals that the effectiveness of brain stimulation on motor skills is determined by an individual's learning ability rather than age, highlighting the need for a more personalized approach to neurorehabilitation.

The upgrade project IMPACT is scheduled to start in 2025. It envisages two significant enhancements involving PSI’s proton accelerator facility. There will be benefits for research – and Swiss society.