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MIT engineers created a DNA-acrylamide gel that can be degraded by DNA-editing enzymes. At right, the gel is broken down after two hours of exposure to a DNA "trigger sequence." At left, the gel is exposed to DNA that doesn't contain the trigger sequence, so it remains intact.

Using CRISPR to program gels with new functions

Smart materials change properties in response to specific DNA sequences; could be used in a variety of devices.

August 22, 2019

MIT biological engineers have developed a new way to encode complex memories in the DNA of living cells.

High-precision technique stores cellular “memory” in DNA

Engineers program human and bacterial cells to keep a record of complex molecular events.

August 22, 2019

Speeding up drug discovery for brain diseases

Whitehead Institute team finds drugs that activate a key brain gene; initial tests in cells and mice show promise for rare, untreatable neurodevelopmental disorder.

July 31, 2019

The CRISPR family enzyme Cas13 (pink) is at the heart of the RESCUE platform, where it uses a special guide (red) to target RNAs in the cell (blue).

New CRISPR platform expands RNA editing capabilities

The new system, dubbed RESCUE, allows RNA edits to be made that were not previously possible.

July 11, 2019

Mingman Zhao, a PhD student in EECS, spoke to the inaugural 6.883/6.S083 class about common issues in using machine learning tools to address problems.

Machine learning for everyone

A new EECS course on applications of machine learning teaches students from a variety of disciplines about one of today’s hottest topics.

July 9, 2019

Structure of the Shank3 protein, a gene with a strong association to autism spectrum disorder.

Using gene editing, neuroscientists develop a new model for autism

By introducing a gene variant associated with autism into monkeys, researchers hope to study treatment options for severe neurodevelopmental disorders.

June 12, 2019

Fluorescent micrograph of the cyanobacteria Scytonema hofmanni

New gene-editing system precisely inserts large DNA sequences into cellular DNA

Researchers identify and develop new CRISPR-associated transposase system for targeted integration of DNA, adding key capabilities to gene-editing technology.

June 12, 2019

MIT engineers have designed a magnetic microrobot that can help push drug-delivery particles into tumor tissue (left). They also employed swarms of naturally magnetic bacteria to achieve the same effect (right).

Nanoparticles take a fantastic, magnetic voyage

Tiny robots powered by magnetic fields could help drug-delivery nanoparticles reach their targets.

April 26, 2019

The complex world of carbohydrate chemistry

Drawn to MIT by its “amazing women who were doing science,” Professor Laura Kiessling explores sugar-protein interactions that influence cell behavior.

April 24, 2019