Cancer’s secret safety net
Researchers uncover a hidden mechanism that allows cancer to develop aggressive mutations.
RNA editing study finds many ways for neurons to diversify
Tracking how fruit fly motor neurons edit their RNA, neurobiologists cataloged hundreds of target sites and varying editing rates, finding many edits altered communication- and function-related proteins.
MIT researchers find new immunotherapeutic targets for glioblastoma
A study profiling antigens presented on immune and tumor cells in co-culture points to new strategies for attacking a treatment-resistant and deadly brain cancer.
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.
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.
A new way to understand and predict gene splicing
The KATMAP model, developed by researchers in the Department of Biology, can predict alternative cell splicing, which allows cells to create endless diversity from the same sets of genetic blueprints.
Designing better, longer-lasting medicines
Adding amino acids to certain protein-based medications can improve stability and effectiveness. New MIT research demonstrates how it works.
Matthew Shoulders named head of the Department of Chemistry
A leading researcher in protein folding biochemistry and next-generation protein engineering techniques will advance chemistry research and education.
3 Questions: On biology and medicine’s “data revolution”
Professor Caroline Uhler discusses her work at the Schmidt Center, thorny problems in math, and the ongoing quest to understand some of the most complex interactions in biology.
Locally produced proteins help mitochondria function
Researchers developed an approach to study where proteins get made, and characterized proteins produced near mitochondria, gaining potential insights into mitochondrial function and disease.
Researchers glimpse the inner workings of protein language models
A new approach can reveal the features AI models use to predict proteins that might make good drug or vaccine targets.
Startup’s biosensor makes drug development and manufacturing cheaper
Protein sensor developed by alumna-founded Advanced Silicon Group can be used for research and quality control in biomanufacturing.
With AI, researchers predict the location of virtually any protein within a human cell
Trained with a joint understanding of protein and cell behavior, the model could help with diagnosing disease and developing new drugs.
A brief history of expansion microscopy
Since an MIT team introduced expansion microscopy in 2015, the technique has powered the science behind kidney disease, plant seeds, the microbiome, Alzheimer’s, viruses, and more.
Study suggests new molecular strategy for treating fragile X syndrome
Enhancing activity of a specific component of neurons’ “NMDA” receptors normalized protein synthesis, neural activity, and seizure susceptibility in the hippocampus of fragile X lab mice.