Proteins linked to longevity also linked to Alzheimer’s
Sirtuins appear to control production of the devastating protein fragments that form plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
Imaging fish on the fly
New MIT technology allows high-speed study of zebrafish larvae, often used to model human diseases.
A new use for gold
Engineers turn a drawback — the stickiness of gold nanoparticles — into an advantage.
Why cancer drugs lose their power
MIT biologists show how tumors can become resistant to the commonly used chemotherapy drug cisplatin.
Bacteria divide like clockwork
MIT researchers show how circadian rhythms in bacteria control their rate of reproduction.
Y chromosomes evolving rapidly
By comparing human and chimpanzee Y chromosome sequences, Whitehead Institute geneticists show the Y is undergoing swift change.
Silencing the brain with light
MIT neuroengineers find a new way to quickly and reversibly shut off neurons with multiple colors of light, which could lead to new treatments for epilepsy and chronic pain.
HHMI lists Tsai team’s advance among 10 biggest stories of 2009
Howard Hughes Medical Institute honors discovery of gene protein that could lead to safer drug treatments for Alzheimer’s and other diseases.
New evidence links sirtuins and life extension
Study from Leonard Guarente shows how sirtuins act in the brain during calorie restriction to potentially lengthen lifespan.
One word: bioplastics
At a new plant in Iowa, MIT-rooted technology will use bacteria to turn corn into biodegradable plastics.
In Profile: Leonard Guarente
Biology professor discovered a gene at the center of aging. Now that research is yielding therapies that target the diseases of old age.
Taking aim at aggressive cancer cells
Researchers use novel stem-cell method to discover chemical with potency against breast tumors in mice