Bionic plants
Nanotechnology could turn shrubbery into supercharged energy producers or sensors for explosives.
Department
Chemical Engineering
Howard Brenner, professor emeritus of chemical engineering, passes away at 84
Fluid dynamics researcher profoundly influenced his field
Robert Langer wins 2014 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
Langer honored for his discoveries in controlled drug-release systems and new biomaterials; awards ceremony hosted by Kevin Spacey to be broadcast Jan. 27
New sensor tracks zinc in cells
Shifts in zinc’s location could be exploited for early diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Researchers unlock a new means of growing intestinal stem cells
Studying these cells could lead to new treatments for diseases ranging from gastrointestinal disease to diabetes.
Pills of the future: nanoparticles
Researchers design drug-carrying nanoparticles that can be taken orally
Creating synthetic antibodies
Synthetic polymers coating a nanoparticle surface can recognize specific molecules just like an antibody.
Self-steering particles go with the flow
Asymmetrical particles could make lab-on-a-chip diagnostic devices more efficient and portable.
Turning bacteria into chemical factories
Kristala Jones Prather engineers cells to produce useful compounds such as drugs and biofuels.
New implantable sensor paves way to long-term monitoring
Carbon nanotubes that detect nitric oxide can be implanted under the skin for more than a year.
One-two punch knocks out aggressive tumors
New nanoparticles weaken tumor-cell defenses, then strike with chemotherapy drug.
Creating a permanent bacteria barrier
Startup Semprus Biosciences develops a permanent solution for keeping bacteria off implanted medical devices.
A pea-shooter for molecules
Researchers find that tiny molecules passing through nanotubes can be propelled or slowed depending on their size.
U.S. News ranks MIT seventh overall among U.S. universities
Institute’s undergraduate engineering program is again ranked No. 1; undergraduate business program is No. 2.