The human brain is the most complex mechanism in the known universe, but genetic faults, injuries and disease can disrupt its functions. Recent research has shown that the brain can generate new cells, called neurons. Normal brain activity results from neurons connected together in complex networks and, as VOA's Greg Flakus reports from Houston, researchers are seeking a better understanding of how this happens. Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/media/video/researchers-seek-ways-to-help-damaged-brains-heal/3104916.html

Rice University scientists have developed a big data technique that could have a significant impact on health care. The Rice lab of bioengineer Amina Qutub designed an algorithm called “progeny clustering” that is being used in a hospital study to identify which treatments should be given to children with leukemia. - See more at: http://news.rice.edu/2015/08/12/algorithm-clarifies-big-data-clusters-2/

There are few times in life when one should aim for suboptimal performance, but new research at Rice University suggests scientists who study metabolism and its role in evolution should look for signs of just that. - See more at: http://news.rice.edu/2015/04/06/cells-exercise-suboptimal-strategy-to-survive-2/

The world of medical and genetic data is evolving exponentially. As more information is available about our health, the behaviors and processes of our cells, and the blueprint of our genes, we are learning new ways to correlate and discover patterns on what makes us human, and how we affect each other. Amina Ann Qutub is an assistant professor of bioengineering at Rice University. She is also co-founder of DiBS, an adaptive visualization software startup. Qutub received a Ph.D. in bioengineering at UC-Berkeley and UCSF, and a B.S. in chemical engineering from Rice. She trained as a postdoc in biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Qutub integrates computer science with experiments to understand the design of human cells. Her work gives insight into how to control cell behaviors and regenerate tissue for applications to treating cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. An engineer and artist “who paints with algorithms” to achieve sophisticated models of biology, Qutub’s goal is to keep humans healthy, happy and a step ahead of the machines. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

There are few times in life when one should aim for suboptimal performance, but new research at Rice University suggests scientists who study metabolism and its role in evolution should look for signs of just that. - See more at: http://news.rice.edu/2015/04/06/cells-exercise-suboptimal-strategy-to-survive-2/

Drugs that target insulin pathways to slow or stop the growth of brain tumors are going in the right direction but appear to be on the wrong track, according to new research at Rice University. - See more at: http://news.rice.edu/2015/04/20/new-tactic-targets-brain-tumors-2/

The human brain is the most complex mechanism in the known universe, but genetic faults, injuries and disease can disrupt its functions. Recent research has shown that the brain can generate new cells, called neurons. Normal brain activity results from neurons connected together in complex networks and, as VOA's Greg Flakus reports from Houston, researchers are seeking a better understanding of how this happens. Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/media/video/researchers-seek-ways-to-help-damaged-brains-heal/3104916.html

The world of medical and genetic data is evolving exponentially. As more information is available about our health, the behaviors and processes of our cells, and the blueprint of our genes, we are learning new ways to correlate and discover patterns on what makes us human, and how we affect each other. Amina Ann Qutub is an assistant professor of bioengineering at Rice University. She is also co-founder of DiBS, an adaptive visualization software startup. Qutub received a Ph.D. in bioengineering at UC-Berkeley and UCSF, and a B.S. in chemical engineering from Rice. She trained as a postdoc in biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Qutub integrates computer science with experiments to understand the design of human cells. Her work gives insight into how to control cell behaviors and regenerate tissue for applications to treating cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. An engineer and artist “who paints with algorithms” to achieve sophisticated models of biology, Qutub’s goal is to keep humans healthy, happy and a step ahead of the machines. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx