Biological Engineering

Cell stiffness may indicate whether tumors will invade

Study shows tumors with softer, larger cells at their periphery are more likely to spread; may suggest new route for cancer therapy.

October 21, 2019

“The major research directions and technology platforms that [my] lab is known for today came out of this process where the students or I had a crazy idea, and then the lab executed on it, with all the twists and turns along the way,” says Paul Blainey, associate professor of biological engineering.

Biological engineer Paul Blainey creates new tools to advance biomedical research

His technology platforms have benefited genomics, diagnostics, and drug screening.

October 19, 2019

In situ sequencing identifies the gene knockout in each cell of a pooled CRISPR library. Fluorescence microscopy records both cellular phenotypes and sequencing data (cell nuclei are depicted in gray and the nucleotide bases are green = guanine, red = thymine, magenta = adenine and cyan = cytosine).

Imaging combined with genetic screening of cells enhances genomic discoveries

New image-based genetic screening method helps researchers identify key regulators of inflammation.

October 17, 2019

A scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the polymer network that makes up mucins.

Study reveals how mucus tames microbes

Specialized sugar molecules called glycans can disarm opportunistic pathogens and prevent infection.

October 14, 2019

In the top row, neurons are labeled with a fluorescent probe that reveals electrical activity. In the bottom row, neurons are labeled with a variant of the probe that accumulates specifically in the neuron cell bodies, preventing interference from axons of neighboring neurons.

New method visualizes groups of neurons as they compute

Fluorescent probe could allow scientists to watch circuits within the brain and link their activity to specific behaviors.

October 9, 2019

Vijay Raj Singh, SMART research scientist, and Zahid Yaqoob, MIT LBRC principal investigator, study tumor cells using the new confocal reflectance interferometric microscope.

Diagnosing cellular nanomechanics

SMART has developed a new way to study cells, paving the way for a better understanding of how cancers spread and become deadly.

October 7, 2019

MIT engineers have programmed viruses called bacteriophages to kill different strains of E. coli, by making mutations in a viral protein that binds to host cells.

Engineered viruses could fight drug resistance

By tweaking bacteriophage genomes, MIT team creates a new weapon to combat infection.

October 3, 2019

Researchers at MIT and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have devised a new way to rapidly image synaptic proteins at high resolution. Using fluorescent nucleic acid probes, they can label and image as many as 12 different proteins in neuronal samples containing thousands of synapses.

Technique can image individual proteins within synapses

Rapid imaging method could help reveal how conditions such as autism affect brain cells.

September 26, 2019

MIT researchers have collected and preserved samples of nearly 8,000 strains of bacteria found in the human digestive tract.

A comprehensive catalogue of human digestive tract bacteria

Researchers identify nearly 8,000 strains of bacteria, while also clarifying their genetic and metabolic context.

September 2, 2019

MIT engineers created a DNA-acrylamide gel that can be degraded by DNA-editing enzymes. At right, the gel is broken down after two hours of exposure to a DNA "trigger sequence." At left, the gel is exposed to DNA that doesn't contain the trigger sequence, so it remains intact.

Using CRISPR to program gels with new functions

Smart materials change properties in response to specific DNA sequences; could be used in a variety of devices.

August 22, 2019

MIT biological engineers have developed a new way to encode complex memories in the DNA of living cells.

High-precision technique stores cellular “memory” in DNA

Engineers program human and bacterial cells to keep a record of complex molecular events.

August 22, 2019

The blood-brain barrier — the normally tight border that prevents harmful molecules in the bloodstream from entering the brain — can be damaged by the protein aggregates that form in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

Tissue model reveals role of blood-brain barrier in Alzheimer’s

Study finds that Alzheimer’s damage allows toxins to enter the brain, further harming neurons.

August 12, 2019

A bright fluorescent quantum defect can be a tool to upgrade current biomedical imaging systems, looking at even smaller tumors through the defect emission.

A single-photon source you can make at home

Shining light through household bleach creates fluorescent quantum defects in carbon nanotubes for quantum computing and biomedical imaging.

August 9, 2019

Cancer cells targeted with nanoparticles built in the Hammond laboratory

MIT “Russian Doll” tech lands $7.9M international award to fight brain tumors

Researchers from MIT's Koch Institute will work with teams in the UK and Europe to use nanoparticles to carry multiple drug therapies to treat glioblastoma.

July 26, 2019

A cancer cell (blue, center) can elude attack by immune cells (such as these T cells shown in green and red) by sequestering the mutated proteins that would otherwise signal its identity as a "foreign" invader away from the cell’s surface.

Unmasking mutant cancer cells

A new dosing regimen for an old cancer drug shows new promise as an immunotherapy.

July 17, 2019

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