Topic
Genetics
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“Kill switches” shut down engineered bacteria
Synthetic biology technique could make it safer to put engineered microbes to work outside the lab.
December 11, 2015 -
MIT, Broad scientists overcome key CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing hurdle
Team re-engineers system to dramatically cut down on editing errors; improvements advance future human applications.
December 1, 2015 -
Four MIT faculty elected 2015 AAAS Fellows
Berggren, Bertschinger, Fink, and Zue are among those recognized for efforts toward advancing science.
November 23, 2015 -
Mapping the 3-D structure of DNA
PhD student Abe Weintraub helps identify when DNA folding is helpful, and when it might cause cancer.
October 26, 2015 -
Alumnus Paul Modrich wins Nobel Prize in chemistry
Biochemist who graduated from MIT in 1968 is honored for his work on DNA repair mechanisms.
October 7, 2015 -
A natural light switch
MIT scientists identify and map the protein behind a light-sensing mechanism.
September 28, 2015 -
New system for human genome editing has potential to increase power and precision of DNA engineering
CRISPR-Cpf1 offers simpler approach to editing DNA; technology could disrupt scientific and commercial landscape.
September 25, 2015 -
Engineering biology
With a new DARPA contract, biological engineer Christopher Voigt aims to harness the power of living cells.
September 24, 2015 -
Viruses join fight against harmful bacteria
Engineered viruses could combat human disease and improve food safety.
September 23, 2015 -
Automating single-molecule image studies
MIT physics graduate student James Owen Andrews is developing software to improve dynamic image capture from super-resolution fluorescent microscopes.
September 21, 2015 -
Targeting DNA
Protein-based sensor could detect viral infection or kill cancer cells.
September 21, 2015 -
Faculty Highlight: Ibrahim Cissé
Assistant professor of physics probes the formation of enzyme clusters that enable gene copying and protein production in living cells.
September 3, 2015 -
Searching big data faster
Theoretical analysis could expand applications of accelerated searching in biology, other fields.
August 26, 2015 -
A metabolic master switch underlying human obesity
Researchers find pathway that controls metabolism by prompting fat cells to store or burn fat.
August 19, 2015 -
How chronic inflammation can lead to cancer
Researchers discover how the immune system can create cancerous DNA mutations when fighting off infection.
August 7, 2015 -
Mending a broken heart
Laurie Boyer’s work might one day lead to cures for heart defects and disease.
August 3, 2015 -
An ally for the understudied Y chromosome
Graduate student Alexander Godfrey tackles a chromosome that half the world has — yet few understand.
August 3, 2015 -
Longstanding problem put to rest
Proof that a 40-year-old algorithm is the best possible will come as a relief to computer scientists.
June 10, 2015 -
DNA breakage underlies both learning, age-related damage
Process that allows brains to learn and remember also leads to degeneration with age.
June 4, 2015 -
Uncovering diversity in an invisible ocean world
New research indicates marine plankton are not only more diverse than previously thought, but also profoundly affected by their environment.
May 26, 2015