Operating in orbit
Astronaut and alumnus Bobby Satcher recounts his experience as the first orthopedic surgeon in space
Exposing collagen's double life
Discovery that the rigid structural protein can switch to a floppy shape could lead to new treatments for heart disease.
Building organs block by block
Tissue engineers create a new way to assemble artificial tissues, using ‘biological Legos’ — cells transformed into bricks.
Rapid analysis of DNA damage now possible
Technology offers a new way to test potential cancer drugs, detect effects of hazardous agents in our environment.
Robotic therapy helps stroke patients regain function
MIT robots can deliver high-intensity interactive physical therapy.
The pull of artificial gravity
MIT researchers say a centrifuge on the International Space Station — hinted at in Obama’s NASA proposal — would be a boon for physiological research
Revolutionizing medicine, one chip at a time
Low-power computer chips allow engineers to design wearable and implantable devices to monitor patients.
New technique offers a more detailed view of brain activity
‘Cleverly designed' MRI sensors detect dopamine, offering a high-resolution look at what’s happening inside the brain.
Power from motion and vibrations
Forget about batteries. The ability to harness electricity from tiny vibrations could power a new generation of electronic devices.
Self-powered sensors
Harvesting electricity from small temperature differences could enable a new generation of electronic devices that don’t need batteries
Medical entrepreneurship, from the bottom up
MIT students aim to bring affordable health care to India’s masses.
Engineering a new way to study hepatitis C
Tissue engineers have successfully infected liver cells in the laboratory, allowing a better way to test new drugs.
New ‘nanoburrs’ could help fight heart disease
Targeted nanoparticles can home in on damaged vascular tissue and may be used to deliver drugs that help clear arteries
Human immune cells — in mice
MIT team engineers mice with human immune cells, which could be used to test vaccines for HIV and other diseases.
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.