An abundant phytoplankton feeds a global network of marine microbes
New findings illuminate how Prochlorococcus’ nightly “cross-feeding” plays a role in regulating the ocean’s capacity to cycle and store carbon.
Bacteria in the human gut rarely update their CRISPR defense systems
A new study of the microbiome finds intestinal bacterial interact much less often with viruses that trigger immunity updates than bacteria in the lab.
Photos: 2024 Nobel winners with MIT ties honored in Stockholm
Laureates participated in various Nobel Week events, including lectures, a concert, a banquet, and the Nobel ceremony on Dec. 10.
Jane-Jane Chen: A model scientist who inspires the next generation
A research scientist and internationally recognized authority in the field of blood cell development reflects on 45 years at MIT.
Cancer biologists discover a new mechanism for an old drug
Study reveals the drug, 5-fluorouracil, acts differently in different types of cancer — a finding that could help researchers design better drug combinations.
Victor Ambros ’75, PhD ’79 and Gary Ruvkun share Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
The scientists, who worked together as postdocs at MIT, are honored for their discovery of microRNA — a class of molecules that are critical for gene regulation.
Fifteen Lincoln Laboratory technologies receive 2024 R&D 100 Awards
The innovations map the ocean floor and the brain, prevent heat stroke and cognitive injury, expand AI processing and quantum system capabilities, and introduce new fabrication approaches.
License plates of MIT
Custom plates display expressions of scholarship, creativity, and MIT pride among Institute affiliates.
Scientists preserve DNA in an amber-like polymer
With their “T-REX” method, DNA embedded in the polymer could be used for long-term storage of genomes or digital data such as photos and music.
New technique reveals how gene transcription is coordinated in cells
By capturing short-lived RNA molecules, scientists can map relationships between genes and the regulatory elements that control them.
A new computational technique could make it easier to engineer useful proteins
MIT researchers plan to search for proteins that could be used to measure electrical activity in the brain.
Engineers find a new way to convert carbon dioxide into useful products
A catalyst tethered by DNA boosts the efficiency of the electrochemical conversion of CO2 to CO, a building block for many chemical compounds.
Scientists develop a rapid gene-editing screen to find effects of cancer mutations
With the new technique, MIT researchers hope to identify mutations that could be targeted with new cancer therapies.
DNA particles that mimic viruses hold promise as vaccines
Using a DNA-based scaffold carrying viral proteins, researchers created a vaccine that provokes a strong antibody response against SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers improve blood tests’ ability to detect and monitor cancer
The advance makes it easier to detect circulating tumor DNA in blood samples, which could enable earlier cancer diagnosis and help guide treatment.