DNA shaper steers nervous system development
A study of worms finds a protein that helps shape the structure of the genome is critical for establishing the identity of some neurons.
Why are some bacterial genes high in purines?
In certain species of bacteria, the answer lies in shielding RNA transcripts from a quality-control factor called Rho. Understanding the requirements for expressible sequences is critical for expression engineering of therapeutic agents.
How chromatin movement helps control gene expression
By monitoring these chromosomal structures over many timescales, MIT researchers found that chromatin helps bring genes closer to their regulatory elements.
Study: Gene circuits reshape DNA folding and affect how genes are expressed
When genes are transcribed, they suppress or activate their neighbors, coupling expression between the two genes.
Youth may increase vulnerability to a carcinogen found in contaminated water and some drugs
A new study suggests that the chemical NDMA is much more likely to cause cancerous mutations after exposure early in life.
Slice and dice
SNIPE, a newly characterized biological defense system, directly protects bacteria by chopping up invading viral DNA.
3 Questions: Building predictive models to characterize tumor progression
Assistant Professor Matthew Jones is working to decode molecular processes on the genetic, epigenetic, and microenvironment levels to anticipate how and when tumors evolve to resist treatment.
New vaccine platform promotes rare protective B cells
Based on a virus-like particle built with a DNA scaffold, the approach could generate broadly neutralizing antibody responses against HIV or influenza.
RNA editing study finds many ways for neurons to diversify
Tracking how fruit fly motor neurons edit their RNA, neurobiologists cataloged hundreds of target sites and varying editing rates, finding many edits altered communication- and function-related proteins.
A better DNA material for genetic medicine
With its circular single-stranded DNA molecules, MIT spinout Kano Therapeutics plans to make gene and cell therapies safer and more effective.
Alternate proteins from the same gene contribute differently to health and rare disease
New findings may help researchers identify genetic mutations that contribute to rare diseases, by studying when and how single genes produce multiple versions of proteins.
A new way to understand and predict gene splicing
The KATMAP model, developed by researchers in the Department of Biology, can predict alternative cell splicing, which allows cells to create endless diversity from the same sets of genetic blueprints.
In a surprising discovery, scientists find tiny loops in the genomes of dividing cells
Enabled by a new high-resolution mapping technique, the findings overturn a long-held belief that the genome loses its 3D structure when cells divide.
A more precise way to edit the genome
MIT researchers have dramatically lowered the error rate of prime editing, a technique that holds potential for treating many genetic disorders.
This MIT spinout is taking biomolecule storage out of the freezer
Cache DNA has developed technologies that can preserve biomolecules at room temperature to make storing and transporting samples less expensive and more reliable.