Biological engineers discover new antibiotic candidates
Screen of human proteins reveals some with antimicrobial power.
Synthetic Biology Center
Timothy Lu seeks to combat disease by reprogramming biological systems
Synthetic biologist hopes to develop treatments for cancer and other diseases.
New technique scours the genome for genes that combat disease
Biological engineers identify genes that protect against protein linked to Parkinson’s disease.
Bacteria with multicolor vision
Red, green, and blue light can be used to control gene expression in engineered E. coli.
Engineers design a new weapon against bacteria
Antimicrobial peptides can kill strains resistant to existing antibiotics.
Recording analog memories in human cells
Engineers program human cells to store complex histories in their DNA.
Scientists program cells to remember and respond to series of stimuli
New approach to biological circuit design enables scientists to track cell histories.
A programming language for living cells
New language lets researchers design novel biological circuits.
Viruses join fight against harmful bacteria
Engineered viruses could combat human disease and improve food safety.
Domitilla Del Vecchio bridges math, engineering, and biology
Mechanical engineering professor carries out pioneering work in the creation of biological circuits.
New device could make large biological circuits practical
Innovation from MIT could allow many biological components to be connected to produce predictable effects.
Bacteria become “genomic tape recorders”
Engineered E. coli can store long-term memories of chemical exposure, other events in their DNA.
The science of networking
MIT senior Esther Jang uses science, engineering, and teaching to help others and challenge herself.
Engineers design ‘living materials’
Hybrid materials combine bacterial cells with nonliving elements that can conduct electricity or emit light.