National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Jacquin Niles named director of the Center for Environmental Health Sciences

Niles, an associate professor of biological engineering and infectious disease expert, succeeds John M. Essigmann.

April 5, 2019

MIT biologists found that intestinal stem cell populations declined in aged mice (right), compared to younger mice (left). Messenger RNA encoding a protein associated with intestinal stem cells is labeled in black.

Biologists find a way to boost intestinal stem cell populations

Study suggests that stimulating stem cells may protect the gastrointestinal tract from age-related disease.

March 28, 2019

In these tumor cells, acidic regions are labeled in red. Invasive regions of the cells, which express a protein called MMP14, are labeled in green.

How tumors behave on acid

Acidic environment triggers genes that help cancer cells metastasize.

March 20, 2019

MIT researchers have discovered a way to manipulate the interactions of the proteins Myc and Max, which regulate gene transcription. At left, Myc interacts with Max, at center, Max is alone, at right, two molecules of Max.

A new approach to drugging a difficult cancer target

Study suggests an alternative way to treat tumors that are dependent on the cancer-promoting Myc protein.

March 14, 2019

By exposing mice to a unique combination of light and sound, MIT neuroscientists have shown that they can improve cognitive and memory impairments similar to those seen in Alzheimer’s patients. At left, the mouse cortex shows a reduction in amyloid plaques following visual and auditory stimulation, compared to the untreated mouse at right.

Brain wave stimulation may improve Alzheimer’s symptoms

Noninvasive treatment improves memory and reduces amyloid plaques in mice.

March 14, 2019

Most pills and capsules, whether over-the-counter or prescription, include components other than the actual drug. A new study shows those components are made of ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or irritations in certain patients.

“Inactive” ingredients may not be, study finds

Most pills contain compounds with potential to cause allergic reactions or discomfort in some patients.

March 13, 2019

A representative prototype of a gastric resident device researchers have created to slowly release antibiotics in a patient's stomach over time.

Reducing the burden of tuberculosis treatment

Drug delivery system would allow patients to switch from daily to monthly doses.

March 13, 2019

The experimental setup used to study the behavior of spider dragline silk. The cylindrical chamber at center allowed for precise control of humidity while testing the contraction and twisting of the fiber.

Spider silk could be used as robotic muscle

Unusual property of the ultrastrong material could be harnessed for twisting or pulling motions.

March 1, 2019

MIT researchers have designed an MRI contrast agent that can detect calcium within neurons, allowing them to closely track brain activity.

New MRI sensor can image activity deep within the brain

Noninvasive measurements of calcium could reveal neurons’ roles in different types of behavior.

February 22, 2019

At left, photoreceptor cells of the retina have undergone severe damage after treatment with an alkylating agent. This damage is exacerbated by the DNA repair enzyme Aag. At right, photoreceptor cells lacking Aag appear normal following treatment with the alkylating agent.

Why too much DNA repair can injure tissue

Overactive repair system promotes cell death following DNA damage by certain toxins, study shows.

February 12, 2019

An MIT-led research team has developed a drug capsule that could be used to deliver oral doses of insulin.

New pill can deliver insulin

Capsule that releases insulin in the stomach could replace injections for patients with type 1 diabetes.

February 7, 2019

MIT researchers found that when they halted cell division in human fibroblast cells, they became abnormally large and then entered a non-dividing state known as senescence (right panel). Untreated, normal-sized fibroblasts are shown at left.

Biologists answer fundamental question about cell size

The need to produce just the right amount of protein is behind the striking uniformity of sizes.

February 7, 2019

MIT biological engineers have developed a way to rapidly measure cell survival rates by growing many cell colonies and imaging their fluorescently labeled DNA.

A better way to measure cell survival

New test rapidly evaluates the effect of drugs and potentially toxic compounds on cells.

February 5, 2019

The ingestible hydrogel device as a small pill can swell to a large soft sphere, and deswell to a floppy membrane.

Ingestible, expanding pill monitors the stomach for up to a month

Soft, squishy device could potentially track ulcers, cancers, and other GI conditions over the long term.

January 30, 2019

Crystal structure of Cas12b (purple) bound to RNA (gold) and DNA (brown).

Scientists engineer new CRISPR platform for DNA targeting

CRISPR team harnesses new Cas12b enzyme for use in eukaryotic cells, adding to the CRISPR toolbox.

January 22, 2019

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