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Biological Engineering

A scanning electron micrograph of a human T lymphocyte (also called a T-cell) from the immune system of a healthy donor. Researchers have designed a synthetic gene circuit that triggers the immune system to attack cancers when it detects signs of the disease.

Gene circuit switches on inside cancer cells, triggers immune attack

Advance may open new pathways for cancer immunotherapy.

October 19, 2017

Arup K. Chakraborty, the Robert T. Haslam Professor of Chemical Engineering, professor of physics, chemistry, and biological engineering, and a core faculty member at the Institute for Medical Engineering & Science has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine in recognition of his distinguished contributions to medicine and health.

Arup Chakraborty elected to National Academy of Medicine

Recognized for his contributions to health, the distinguished professor is now a member of the national academies of medicine, science, and engineering.

October 16, 2017

MIT researchers have adapted the CRISPR genome-editing system to identify genes that protect cells from a protein associated with Parkinson’s disease.

New technique scours the genome for genes that combat disease

Biological engineers identify genes that protect against protein linked to Parkinson’s disease.

October 12, 2017

Ten from MIT and the Broad Institute recently received NIH Director's Awards. Top row (l-r): Feng Zhang, Kay Tye, Kevin Esvelt, Fei Chen; Bottom row (l-r): Gabriela Schlau-Cohen, Ahmed Badran, Hilary Finucane, Ed Boyden. Not pictured: Paul Blainey and Evan Macosko.

Ten researchers from MIT and Broad receive NIH Director’s Awards

Awards support high-risk, high-impact biomedical research.

October 5, 2017

Erica James, associate professor of medical anthropology and urban studies in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, co-presents with Dennis McLaughlin, H.M. King Bhumibol Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (not pictured) on the results of their research project, Leverage Points: Opportunities for Increasing Food Production in Developing Countries, funded by ...

Projects make inroads on global food and water challenges

MIT researchers supported by J-WAFS present results of their work on food and water security.

September 21, 2017

2017 $500,000 Lemelson-MIT Prize winner Feng Zhang

Gene-editing technology developer Feng Zhang awarded $500,000 Lemelson-MIT Prize

MIT associate professor and member of the Broad Institute and McGovern Institute recognized for commitment to invention, collaboration, and mentorship.

September 19, 2017

2017 MPC-CMSE Summer Scholar Gaetana Michelet holds a pipette in the Biogel Lab of Katharina Ribbeck, the Eugene Bell Career Development Professor of Tissue Engineering at MIT. Ribbeck studies how complex materials such as mucus influence bacterial behavior.

Mucus’ influence on bacterial behavior

Summer Scholar Gaetana Michelet explores the role mucus plays in protecting people from getting sick.

September 8, 2017

“Our prediction is that we might be able to identify risk for preterm birth ahead of time, before labor sets in,” says Katharina Ribbeck, an associate professor of biological engineering at MIT and the senior author of the study. “Diagnostic tools for this are missing.”

Study suggests simple way to predict preterm births

Test of cervical mucus may reveal pregnant women’s risk of going into labor too early.

September 4, 2017

A new method allows scientists to learn more about how existing antibiotics work and potentially help them to develop new drugs.

New way to test antibiotics could lead to better drugs

Study finds bacterial response to drugs varies in different environments.

August 31, 2017

MIT engineers have devised a way to automate the process of monitoring neurons in a living brain using a computer algorithm that analyzes microscope images and guides a robotic arm to the target cell. In this image, a pipette guided by a robotic arm approaches a neuron identified with a fluorescent stain.

Robotic system monitors specific neurons

Success rate is comparable to that of highly trained scientists performing the process manually.

August 30, 2017

“We wanted to create a fabric that is as unique as you are,” Professor Yoel Fink explained to incoming freshman in a packed Kresge Auditorium.

Back to school special

Members of MIT’s class of 2021 get a free backpack — and a glimpse at the future of “smart” fabrics.

August 29, 2017

Krystyn Van Vliet

Krystyn Van Vliet named associate provost

Engineer brings active interest in innovation to new role.

August 16, 2017

Feng Zhang

Feng Zhang to share Albany Medical Prize

Five recipients honored for their fundamental and complementary accomplishments related to CRISPR-Cas9.

August 15, 2017

Graduate student Anthony McDougal has developed a model that predicts a single heart cell’s response to dwindling supplies of oxygen.

Study predicts heart cells’ response to dwindling oxygen

Results may help surgeons determine when and how to treat heart attacks.

July 20, 2017

MIT Professor Ram Sasisekharan

Ram Sasisekharan wins Agilent Thought Leader Award

Honor recognizes bioengineer’s advance of analytical techniques for characterization of biopharmaceuticals.

July 18, 2017