Faculty Highlight: Ibrahim Cissé
Assistant professor of physics probes the formation of enzyme clusters that enable gene copying and protein production in living cells.
Diamonds could help bring proteins into focus
New technique could use tiny diamond defects to reveal unprecedented detail of molecular structures.
Piecing together molecular machines
Newly tenured biologist Iain Cheeseman explores the complex structures that control cell division.
Markus Buehler named head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
An MIT faculty member since 2006, Buehler succeeds Andrew Whittle as CEE department head.
Sorting out the structure of a Parkinson’s protein
Computer modeling may resolve conflicting results and offer hints for new drug-design strategies.
Study offers new way to discover HIV vaccine targets
Ragon Institute researchers develop a method to identify weak points in viral proteins that could be exploited for vaccine development.
Mapping the living cell
New technique pinpoints protein locations, helping scientists figure out their functions.
Putting the squeeze on cells
By deforming cells, researchers can deliver RNA, proteins and nanoparticles for many applications.
Evolution: It’s all in how you splice it
MIT biologists find that alternative splicing of RNA rewires signaling in different tissues and may often contribute to species differences.
New injectable gels toughen up after entering the body
These more durable gels could find applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering.
Protein that boosts longevity may protect against diabetes
Sirtuins help fight off disorders linked to obesity, new MIT study shows.
Genetic 911: Cells’ emergency systems revealed
Study examines how cells exploit gene sequences to cope with toxic stress.
Crowding causes cells to produce an orderly matrix of molecules
Making proteins stand in line could lead to more lifelike lab tests.
Piece by piece
MIT biologist Schwartz relishes the challenge of picking apart the cell’s most complex structure.
Nano-sized ‘factories’ churn out proteins
Tiny particles could manufacture cancer drugs at tumor sites.