A sign that aliens could stink
A molecule that’s known for its smelly and poisonous nature on Earth may be a sure-fire sign of extraterrestrial life.
Department
Biology
Hazel Sive named dean of Northeastern University College of Science
Professor and Whitehead Institute member has conducted wide-ranging research in vertebrate developmental biology.
Mary Gehring: Using flowering plants to explore epigenetic inheritance
Biologist’s studies illuminate a control system that influences how traits are passed along to new generations.
A new way to regulate gene expression
Biologists uncover an evolutionary trick to control gene expression that reverses the flow of genetic information from RNA splicing back to transcription.
How biomarkers can record and reconstruct climate trends
Scientists reveal the genes and proteins controlling the chemical structures underpinning paleoclimate proxies.
Three MIT seniors to join 2021 class of Schwarzman Scholars
Two alumni have also been selected; the scholars will study global affairs at Beijing’s Tsinghua University.
Continuing a legacy of Antarctic exploration
The Summons Lab compares lipids from Antarctic microbial communities to century-old samples.
New pathway for lung cancer treatment
MIT researchers identify pyrimidine biosynthesis as a target for the treatment of small cell lung cancer.
School of Science appoints 14 faculty members to named professorships
Those selected for these positions receive additional support to pursue their research and develop their careers.
Biologists build proteins that avoid crosstalk with existing molecules
Engineered signaling pathways could offer a new way to build synthetic biology circuits.
Ankur Jain awarded Packard Foundation Fellowship
Whitehead Institute member and assistant professor of biology receives one of the most prestigious non-governmental awards for early-career scientists.
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.
Two from MIT elected to the National Academy of Medicine for 2019
Sangeeta Bhatia and Richard Young recognized for their contributions to “advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health.”
Whitehead Institute team resolves structure of master growth regulator
New research reveals how mTORC1 docks at lysosomal surface.
Computer science in service of medicine
Senior Kristy Carpenter aims to leverage artificial intelligence and other computational tools to develop new, more affordable drugs.