Houston, TX, USA. A new method makes synthetic collagen with many of the natural properties forms from liquid in as little as an hour and may prove useful as a scaffold for regenerating new tissues and organs from stem cells.

Collagen is the most abundant body protein and a key component of skin, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and blood vessels. Animal-derived collagen, which has some inherent immunological risks, is most commonly used in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery today, as well as many cosmetics.

Baltimore, MD, USA. A radical new proposal for changes to post-graduate training in the life sciences addresses significant challenges, including the acceleration of new discoveries and the need to transcend traditional departmental boundaries to understand biological processes at multiple levels.

The current framework for advanced biomedical education hasn’t changed in over 30 years and no longer integrates the vast amount of knowledge on fundamental biological processes.