Biology

These images produced by X-ray scattering analysis show the normal tropoelestin molecule (in green), the genetically modified version created by the researchers (in magenta), and a combined view to emphasize the areas where the two versions differ. The team found that the modified version was significantly weaker than the natural version, and used this analysis to help understand the way these mol...

Uncovering the secrets of elastin’s flexibility

Protein that gives blood vessels and skin their stretchability has its molecular properties revealed.

February 5, 2016

Cartoon stoplight with red "on" light illuminated. Green "off" light is dark.

A day in the life of a synapse reveals new facets of the adult brain

February 4, 2016

“If (mixotrophs) weren’t in the oceans, we’re suggesting atmospheric carbon dioxide might be higher, because there would less of the large, carbon rich particles formed which efficiently transfer carbon to depth,” Mick Follows says.

Living a “mixotrophic” lifestyle

Some tiny plankton may have big effect on ocean’s carbon storage.

February 1, 2016

CEO Justin Lamb says Genometry aims to help pharmaceutical firms use gene-expression data (represented here as a heat map of gene expression values) to effectively digitize their compound collections.

Faster drug discovery?

Startup develops more cost-effective test for assessing how cells respond to chemicals.

January 28, 2016

“Science is always subject to a set of assumptions,” David Gifford says. “What this whole study demonstrates, in my opinion, is that it’s important to think carefully about our assumptions.”

Mapping regulatory elements

Systematically searching DNA for regulatory elements indicates limits of previous thinking.

January 27, 2016

The regulation of the enzyme ribonucleotide reductase allows for just the right levels of deoxynucleotides, the building blocks of DNA, to be produced in the cell.

Supply chain

Chemists discover how a single enzyme maintains a cell’s pool of DNA building blocks.

January 12, 2016

This image demonstrates tissue patterns that emerge from genetically programmed human pluripotent stem cells, and was taken on day nine of the MIT study. It shows immunostainings of cell nuclei for CEBPA (red, endodermal marker), SOX10 (green, ectodermal marker), and DAPI (blue, binds to DNA in the nucleus).

Organ-on-a-chip

In a step toward personalized drug testing, researchers coax human stem cells to form complex tissues.

January 6, 2016

As bacteria stream through a microfluidic lattice, they synchronize and swim in patterns similar to those of electrons flowing through a magnetic material. This image shows a microfluidic 6x6 lattice. The left-hand side shows the original data as seen under the microscope. The overlaid color coding on the right-hand side shows the relative strength of clockwise (purple) or anti-clockwise (green) ...

Study reveals shared behavior of microbes and electrons

Bacteria streaming through a lattice behave like electrons in a magnetic material.

January 5, 2016

Researchers have discovered how some organisms can safely process oxalate, which is found in many fruits and vegetables. This discovery could lead to new ways to lessen the harmful effects that can occur when oxalate builds up in humans, who cannot metabolize this molecule.

A healthy breakdown

Researchers discover how some organisms process oxalate, a molecule that can harm humans.

December 28, 2015

(Clockwise from top left)
Angela M. Belcher; Sangeeta N. Bhatia; H. Robert Horvitz; and Emery N. Brown.

Four MIT faculty named 2015 fellows of the National Academy of Inventors

Belcher, Bhatia, Brown, and Horvitz recognized for demonstrating a prolific spirit of innovation and invention resulting in a tangible impact on society.

December 18, 2015

“I think that type of experience where you can conduct real, top-notch research with some of the best professors, post-doctoral students and graduate students in the world is something that's quite unique to MIT,” senior Camilo Ruiz says.

Senior Camilo Ruiz engineers solutions

Biological engineering major pursues collaborations that have broad impact for society.

December 15, 2015

To prevent genetically modified bacteria from escaping into the wider environment, researchers have developed safeguards in the form of two so-called “kill switches,” which they call “Deadman” and “Passcode.” These kill switches can cause synthetic bacteria to die without the presence of certain chemicals.

“Kill switches” shut down engineered bacteria

Synthetic biology technique could make it safer to put engineered microbes to work outside the lab.

December 11, 2015

Taking many forms of expertise to heart

Elazer Edelman’s multidisciplinary teams bring innovation to cardiovascular health worldwide.

December 9, 2015

Kevin Esvelt to join the MIT Media Lab

December 4, 2015

Clockwise from top left: Professors Karl Berggren, Edmund Bertschinger, Victor Zue, and Gerald Fink have been named AAAS Fellows.

Four MIT faculty elected 2015 AAAS Fellows

Berggren, Bertschinger, Fink, and Zue are among those recognized for efforts toward advancing science.

November 23, 2015

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