Biological engineering

MIT researchers have discovered a way to manipulate the interactions of the proteins Myc and Max, which regulate gene transcription. At left, Myc interacts with Max, at center, Max is alone, at right, two molecules of Max.

A new approach to drugging a difficult cancer target

Study suggests an alternative way to treat tumors that are dependent on the cancer-promoting Myc protein.

March 14, 2019

MIT graduate engineering, business programs earn top rankings from U.S. News for 2020

Graduate engineering program is No. 1 in the nation; MIT Sloan is No. 3.

March 12, 2019

The combination of machine learning techniques and historical weather-pattern recognition can help the government maximize water resources and prepare for natural disasters or extreme weather conditions.

Using machine learning to improve subseasonal climate forecasting

Professor of biology Ernest Fraenkel and visiting scientist Judah Cohen win the Sub-Seasonal Climate Forecast Rodeo competition.

March 11, 2019

MIT researchers have devised a way to simultaneously image in multiple wavelengths of near-infrared light, allowing them to determine the depth of particles emitting different wavelengths.

New optical imaging system could be deployed to find tiny tumors

Near-infrared technology pinpoints fluorescent probes deep within living tissue; may be used to detect cancer earlier.

March 7, 2019

Angela Belcher, the James Mason Crafts Professor of Biological Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at MIT, has been named the new head of the Department of Biological Engineering, effective July 1, 2019.

Angela Belcher named head of the Department of Biological Engineering

Biomedical engineering and energy expert to succeed Doug Lauffenburger; with her appointment, half of MIT engineering departments will be headed by women.

February 25, 2019

MIT researchers have designed an MRI contrast agent that can detect calcium within neurons, allowing them to closely track brain activity.

New MRI sensor can image activity deep within the brain

Noninvasive measurements of calcium could reveal neurons’ roles in different types of behavior.

February 22, 2019

A deceptively tough film protects the lobster’s belly as the animal scuttles across the rocky seafloor.

Lobster’s underbelly is as tough as industrial rubber

Membrane material’s properties could guide design of flexible body armor, new study suggests.

February 18, 2019

The binding interface between a peptide and its Bcl-2 protein target is composed of common structural motifs known as TERMs.

Predicting sequence from structure

Researchers have devised a faster, more efficient way to design custom peptides and perturb protein-protein interactions.

February 15, 2019

At left, photoreceptor cells of the retina have undergone severe damage after treatment with an alkylating agent. This damage is exacerbated by the DNA repair enzyme Aag. At right, photoreceptor cells lacking Aag appear normal following treatment with the alkylating agent.

Why too much DNA repair can injure tissue

Overactive repair system promotes cell death following DNA damage by certain toxins, study shows.

February 12, 2019

The 2018 Bose Research Fellows (standing) pose for a photo with (seated, l-r) President L. Rafael Reif, Judy Bose, and Provost Martin Schmidt.

Bose grants for 2018 fund research at the frontier of discovery

The prestigious awards are supporting five innovative projects that challenge established norms and have the potential to be world-changing.

February 11, 2019

MIT researchers have come up with a way to use acoustic waves to noninvasively measure the stiffness of living cells.

Acoustic waves can monitor stiffness of living cells

Technique sheds light on cells’ health and development; may be useful for precision medicine.

February 11, 2019

MIT biological engineers have developed a way to rapidly measure cell survival rates by growing many cell colonies and imaging their fluorescently labeled DNA.

A better way to measure cell survival

New test rapidly evaluates the effect of drugs and potentially toxic compounds on cells.

February 5, 2019

About 130 undergraduates discussed the progress of their yearlong research projects at during the SuperUROP Showcase poster session.

SuperUROP: Showcasing students' research work in progress

Undergraduate researchers discussed their projects at a well-attended poster session.

January 31, 2019

Crystal structure of Cas12b (purple) bound to RNA (gold) and DNA (brown).

Scientists engineer new CRISPR platform for DNA targeting

CRISPR team harnesses new Cas12b enzyme for use in eukaryotic cells, adding to the CRISPR toolbox.

January 22, 2019

MIT researchers’ new platform detects and extracts rare circulating tumor cells from live mouse models using a combination of laser excitation and a microfluidic chip.

From microfluidics to metastasis

New platform enables longitudinal studies of circulating tumor cells in mouse models of cancer.

January 21, 2019

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