Viruses

Results of the STOPCovid test appear as a single or double line on a paper strip akin to a pregnancy test. In this photo, test strips showing a single line (left panel) indicate no infection. Test strips revealing double lines (right panel) indicate the presence of the virus.

SHERLOCK-based one-step test provides rapid and sensitive Covid-19 detection

New CRISPR-based research tool delivers results in an hour; researchers share protocol and kits to advance research and move toward clinical validation.

May 5, 2020

Michael Yaffe with colleague at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

3 Questions: Michael Yaffe on treating Covid-19 patients with acute respiratory distress

MIT professor and intensivist/trauma surgeon explains the new challenges that Covid-19 brings to treating patients in acute respiratory distress.

April 29, 2020

Photograph of the microwell CARMEN chip.

CRISPR-based diagnostic chips perform thousands of tests simultaneously to detect viruses

Diagnostic platform CARMEN combines microfluidics with CRISPR-based detection technology SHERLOCK, and could one day be used for public health efforts.

April 29, 2020

A new study from an MIT-led consortium, which analyzed 18 incidents of viral contamination at biopharmaceutical manufacturing plants, offers insight into the most common sources of viral contamination, and makes several recommendations to help companies avoid such incidents in the future.

Study analyzes contamination in drug manufacturing plants

Report offers guidelines to help prevent viruses from tainting biopharmaceutical drugs.

April 27, 2020

This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (orange)—also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19—isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells (green) cultured in the lab.

Researchers identify cells likely targeted by Covid-19 virus

Study finds specific cells in the lungs, nasal passages, and intestines that are more susceptible to infection.

April 22, 2020

SMART Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group and Low Energy Electronic Systems researchers (l-r) Hadley Sikes, Jia Huan, Tonio Buonassisi, and Isaac Siyu Tian optimize materials used in rapid protein tests.

3 Questions: Hadley Sikes on searching for a Covid-19 protein test

Chemical engineer aims to create a test that can work in 10 minutes and doesn’t require specialized instruments or laboratory infrastructure.

April 17, 2020

Shuguang Zhang, a scientist in MIT’s Media Lab, has been developing antibody-like proteins that can fuse to cytokine receptors and potentially block a “cytokine storm,” which is an excessive immune response that can occur during viral infections. This rendering depicts the secretion of cytokines, the tiny pink bits, from a cell.

Proteins may halt the severe cytokine storms seen in Covid-19 patients

Team designs antibody-like receptor proteins that can bind to cytokines, as possible strategy for treating coronavirus and other infections.

April 16, 2020

Professor Rob MacFarlane is a professor of materials science and engineering at MIT.

3Q: Robert Macfarlane on cleaning your smartphone screen

Materials scientist explores why some household cleaners could harm the protective coating on a smartphone screen.

April 13, 2020

McGovern Institute scientists Jonathan Gootenberg (left) and Omar Abuddayeh in the lab

3 Questions: How Covid-19 tests work and why they’re in short supply

MIT scientists Omar Abudayyeh and Jonathan Gootenberg explain the current state of Covid-19 testing, and how a CRISPR tool may help solve the supply problem.

April 10, 2020