Koch Institute

A deconvolved wide-field fluorescence microscope image of human HeLa cancer cells, during late anaphase/early telophase, showing a lagging chromosome. If this fails to get into a daughter cell, it may lead to aneuploidy.

Study helps explain varying outcomes for cancer, Down Syndrome

Differences in chromosome number may underlie variation among genetically identical individuals.

April 6, 2017

MIT researchers have devised a new vaccine candidate for the Zika virus. “It functions almost like a synthetic virus, except it’s not pathogenic and it doesn’t spread,” says postdoc Omar Khan.

Progress toward a Zika vaccine

Researchers program RNA nanoparticles that could protect against the virus.

March 29, 2017

The immune system often builds up a wall of dense scar tissue around implanted medical devices, a process known as fibrosis. The cell shown in blue represents a macrophage that has been blocked from initiating fibrosis.

Study points a way to better implants

Selectively blocking immune cells can prevent formation of scar tissue around medical devices.

March 20, 2017

By tethering hundreds of tiny particles to the surfaces of tumor cells in the presence of a mechanical force, an MIT team made the cells much more vulnerable to attack by a drug that triggers cancer cells to commit suicide.

Tethered nanoparticles make tumor cells more vulnerable

New strategy could improve performance of some immune-based drugs.

March 20, 2017

AJAS attendees Jessica Frank (left) and Sriharshita Musunuri (right) chat with MIT Professor Phillip Sharp, former AAAS president and Nobel laureate.

Top high school researchers from across the nation meet at MIT

Talented high school researchers attending the annual AAAS/AJAS conference in Boston meet with MIT faculty.

March 8, 2017

Mild heating of graphene oxide sheets makes it possible to bond particular compounds to the sheets’ surface, a new study shows. These compounds in turn select and bond with specific molecules of interest, including DNA and proteins, or even whole cells. In this image the treated graphene oxide on the right is nearly twice as efficient at capturing cells as the untreated material on the left.

Graphene sheets capture cells efficiently

New method could enable pinpoint diagnostics on individual blood cells.

March 3, 2017

A new MIT transmitter that measures dopamine overcomes limitations of earlier transmitters, providing accurate readings for longer periods of time and covering more of the brain.

Precise technique tracks dopamine in the brain

New sensor could reveal the neurotransmitter’s role in learning and habit formation.

March 3, 2017

"I would say that the committee is not opening the door to human genome editing, but we are, so to speak, removing the padlock pending possible new applications," says Richard Hynes, a Daniel K. Ludwig Professor for Cancer Research at MIT and co-chair of the NAS study committee that created the Human Genome Editing Report.

3Q: Behind the scenes of the National Academy of Sciences' report on human genome editing

MIT professor and NAS report committee co-chair Richard Hynes gives insight into the report’s recommendations.

February 24, 2017

MIT professors Richard Braatz, J. Christopher Love, and Kripa Varanasi (pictured l-r) will collaborate with partners from University College London, and the University of Kansas to develop a next-generation manufacturing platform to produce certain vaccines for less than 15 cents a dose.

MIT undertakes Grand Challenge for innovation in global vaccine manufacturing

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awards MIT, University College London, and University of Kansas $17.6M for development and production of low-cost vaccines.

February 22, 2017

This image shows large clonal colonies of cochlear progenitor cells formed from single cells and converted into high-purity colonies of hair cells (cyan) with intricate hair bundles (red).

Drug treatment could combat hearing loss

Researchers discover a drug combination that can regenerate hair cells in the inner ear.

February 21, 2017

Coming together for immuno-oncology

Takeda's $1 million gift to the MIT Koch Institute will advance research into how the immune system affects cancer.

February 13, 2017

MIT researchers have developed a portable technology, known as Seq-Well, that can rapidly prepare the RNA of many cells for sequencing simultaneously.

Making single-cell RNA sequencing widely available

Portable tool could help scientists learn more about cells’ roles in many diseases.

February 13, 2017

“This is a great class of new NAE members who are affiliated with MIT,” says Ian A. Waitz, dean of the School of Engineering and the Jerome C. Hunsaker Professor in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Eight MIT faculty elected to the National Academy of Engineering

New members have made advances in artificial skin, wireless communications, nanotechnology, hydrology, and cancer treatment.

February 10, 2017

A team of researchers from MIT, Georgia Tech, and the University of Florida has devised a way to rapidly test different nanoparticles to see where they go in the body.

Nanoparticle screen could speed up drug development

New test helps identify particles for gene delivery or RNA interference.

February 7, 2017

Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women’s Hospital have designed and demonstrated a small, ingestible voltaic cell that is sustained by the acidic fluids in the stomach.

Engineers harness stomach acid to power tiny sensors

Ingestible electronic devices could monitor physiological conditions or deliver drugs.

February 6, 2017

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