Focus on function helps identify the changes that made us human
A new approach for identifying significant differences in gene use between closely-related species provides insights into human evolution.
Department
Biology
Andrea Lo ’21 draws on ecological lessons for life, work, and education
With a minor in literature and environmental sustainability, the biology alumna considers perspectives from Charles Darwin to Annie Dillard.
QS ranks MIT the world’s No. 1 university for 2023-24
Ranking at the top for the 12th year in a row, the Institute also places first in 11 subject areas.
Without a key extracellular protein, neuronal axons break and synaptic connections fall apart
Scientists find a protein common to flies and people is essential for supporting the structure of axons that neurons project to make circuit connections.
Studying phages far from home
Biology graduate student Tong Zhang has spent the last two years learning the intricacies of how bacteria protect themselves.
Inaugural symposium draws diverse science, underrepresented voices to MIT
Catalyst Symposium is part of an effort to bring outstanding postdocs from underrepresented backgrounds in science to engage with MIT community members.
Bringing the social and ethical responsibilities of computing to the forefront
The inaugural SERC Symposium convened experts from multiple disciplines to explore the challenges and opportunities that arise with the broad applicability of computing in many aspects of society.
Exploring the links between diet and cancer
Omer Yilmaz’s work on how diet influences intestinal stem cells could lead to new ways to treat or prevent gastrointestinal cancers.
MIT community members who work to eradicate sexual violence recognized at 2023 Change-Maker Awards
Violence Prevention and Response and the Institute Discrimination and Harassment Response Office celebrate students and employees for their efforts in combating sexual misconduct.
3 Questions: A new model of nervous system form, function, and evolution
Developing a new neuroscience model is no small feat. New faculty member Brady Weissbourd has risen to the challenge in order to study nervous system evolution, development, regeneration, and function.
3 Questions: Sara Prescott on the brain-body connection
New MIT faculty member investigates how sensory input from within the body controls mammalian physiology and behavior.
Five MIT faculty elected to the National Academy of Sciences for 2023
Joshua Angrist, Gang Chen, Catherine Drennan, Dina Katabi, Gregory Stephanopoulos, and seven additional alumni are recognized by their peers for their outstanding contributions to research.
Gene-editing technique could speed up study of cancer mutations
With the new method, scientists can explore many cancer mutations whose roles are unknown, helping them develop new drugs that target those mutations.
Inaugural J-WAFS Grand Challenge aims to develop enhanced crop variants and move them from lab to land
Matt Shoulders will lead an interdisciplinary team to improve RuBisCO — the photosynthesis enzyme thought to be the holy grail for improving agricultural yield.
Seychelle Vos and Hernandez Moura Silva named HHMI Freeman Hrabowski Scholars
The program supports early-career faculty who have strong potential to become leaders in their fields and to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.