Seeds of something different
Kate Brown’s book, “Tiny Gardens Everywhere,” examines the hidden history of urban farming, its extensive use, and the politics of growing food.
Nitrous oxide, a product of fertilizer use, may harm some soil bacteria
While some N2O is produced naturally at the plant root, agricultural practices can increase its levels, to the detriment of some microbes that support plant growth.
Designing a more resilient future for plants, from the cell up
Foray Bioscience, founded by Ashley Beckwith SM ’18, PhD ’22, is engineering single plant cells to create new materials and meet growing demand.
Bridging science and society in the emerging bioeconomy
In STS.059 (The Bioeconomy and Society), students explore the social and political factors at work in the biology, biotech, and biological engineering sectors.
Exploring the promise of regenerative aquaculture at an Arkansas fish farm
Through research with MIT D-Lab, MIT engineering student Kiyoko “Kik” Hayano worked with Keo Fish Farms to build a model for regenerative water systems.
Post-COP30, more aggressive policies needed to cap global warming at 1.5 C
Global Change Outlook report for 2025 shows how accelerated action can reduce climate risks and improve sustainability outcomes, while highlighting potential geopolitical hurdles.
Mind, hand, and harvest
A volunteer-driven pilot program brings low-cost organic produce to the MIT community.
From nanoscale to global scale: Advancing MIT’s special initiatives in manufacturing, health, and climate
MIT.nano cleanroom complex named after Robert Noyce PhD ’53 at the 2025 Nano Summit.
Returning farming to city centers
4.182 (Resilient Urbanism: Green Commons in the City), a new subject funded by the MIT Human Insight Collaborative (MITHIC), teaches students about sustainable agriculture in urban areas.
Darcy McRose and Mehtaab Sawhney ’20, PhD ’24 named 2025 Packard Fellows for Science and Engineering
McRose, an environmental microbiologist, is recognized for researching the ecological roles of antibiotics in shaping ecosystems, agriculture, and health.
Engineering next-generation fertilizers
MIT postdoc Giorgio Rizzo harnesses plant chemistry to design sustainable fertilizers that could reshape modern farming.
How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ammonia production
Proposed system would combine two kinds of plants, creating greater efficiency and lowering costs while curbing climate-changing emissions.
Matthew Shoulders named head of the Department of Chemistry
A leading researcher in protein folding biochemistry and next-generation protein engineering techniques will advance chemistry research and education.
MIT chemists boost the efficiency of a key enzyme in photosynthesis
The enzyme, known as rubisco, helps plants and photosynthetic bacteria incorporate carbon dioxide into sugars.
Study shows how a common fertilizer ingredient benefits plants
The findings could enable new ways to increase plants’ resilience to UV stress and enhance seedling growth.