Bridging science and society in the emerging bioeconomy
In STS.059 (The Bioeconomy and Society), students explore the social and political factors at work in the biology, biotech, and biological engineering sectors.
New vaccine platform promotes rare protective B cells
Based on a virus-like particle built with a DNA scaffold, the approach could generate broadly neutralizing antibody responses against HIV or influenza.
A portable ultrasound sensor may enable earlier detection of breast cancer
The new system could be used at home or in doctors’ offices to scan people who are at high risk for breast cancer.
Designing the future of metabolic health through tissue-selective drug delivery
Founded by three MIT alumni, Gensaic uses AI-guided protein design to deliver RNA and other therapeutic molecules to specific cells or areas of the body.
Richard Hynes, a pioneer in the biology of cellular adhesion, dies at 81
Professor, mentor, and leader at MIT for more than 50 years shaped fundamental understandings of cell adhesion, the extracellular matrix, and molecular mechanisms of metastasis.
Pills that communicate from the stomach could improve medication adherence
MIT engineers designed capsules with biodegradable radio frequency antennas that can reveal when the pill has been swallowed.
AI-generated sensors open new paths for early cancer detection
Nanoparticles coated with molecular sensors could be used to develop at-home tests for many types of cancer.
Sean Luk: Addressing the urgent need for better immunotherapy
The MIT senior helps design proteins that spur the immune system to fight cancer and other diseases.
A new way to deliver antibodies could make treatment much easier for patients
Therapeutic antibodies packaged into microparticles could be injected with a standard syringe, avoiding the need for lengthy and often uncomfortable infusions.
MIT study shows how vision can be rebooted in adults with amblyopia
Temporarily anesthetizing the retina briefly reverts the activity of the visual system to that observed in early development and enables growth of responses to the amblyopic (“lazy”) eye.
Prognostic tool could help clinicians identify high-risk cancer patients
Using a versatile problem-solving framework, researchers show how early relapse in lymphoma patients influences their chance for survival.
Alternate proteins from the same gene contribute differently to health and rare disease
New findings may help researchers identify genetic mutations that contribute to rare diseases, by studying when and how single genes produce multiple versions of proteins.
Noninvasive imaging could replace finger pricks for people with diabetes
MIT engineers show they can accurately measure blood glucose by shining near-infrared light on the skin.
MIT chemists synthesize a fungal compound that holds promise for treating brain cancer
Preliminary studies find derivatives of the compound, known as verticillin A, can kill some types of glioma cells.
MIT scientists debut a generative AI model that could create molecules addressing hard-to-treat diseases
BoltzGen generates protein binders for any biological target from scratch, expanding AI’s reach from understanding biology toward engineering it.