Biological engineering

Metabolic errors can spell doom for DNANew study could explain why variant enzymes boost the risk of cancer for some people.

Stopping influenza evolution before it startsModel of flu proteins suggests new way to design vaccines that slow mutations.

Slimy scienceBiological engineering assistant professor says mucus is cooler than you think.

Kaitlyn Nealon named to Capital One Academic All-America Women's Soccer TeamSophomore defender becomes fourth player in the history of the women's soccer program to earn honor.

Living cells say: Can you hear me now?Researchers find that cells’ chemical signaling includes a way to tell whether signals are being received or not.

MIT team wins iGEM competition trackGroup earns top spot in health and medicine; advances to grand finals for first time.

Exploring the inner workings of materialsFrom concrete to cancer cells, Van Vliet brings an engineer’s mindset to the study of biology and materials.

Bacteria may readily swap beneficial genesMicrobes have developed a quick and effective way to exchange genetic information coding for antibiotic resistance, other functions.

Building biology, one cartoon at a time

Charging toward better neural implantsResearchers improve the efficiency of devices that stimulate damaged nerves, reducing potential side effects.

Computer science gives a boost to heart healthNew technique searches for subtle indicators of risk hidden in a patient’s EKG.

Langer wins Warren Alpert Foundation PrizeBiomedical engineer shares $250,000 award

Killing a cancer cell from the inside outSynthetic biologists design a gene circuit that, when delivered to cancer cells, forces them to commit suicide.

Stopping arthritis before it startsA commonly used drug may prevent osteoarthritis in people who suffer severe joint injuries.

Scientists unveil tools for rewriting the code of lifeNew technology from MIT and Harvard can edit DNA at the genome scale, giving cells novel functions.

New material could offer hope to those with no voiceMIT and Harvard researchers are developing a synthetic material to revitalize damaged vocal cords.

How to grow wires and tiny platesLiquid processing method developed at MIT can control the shapes of nanowires and produce complete electronic devices.

Study explains why men are at higher risk for stomach cancerMIT researchers show how estrogen protects women from the gastric inflammation that can lead to cancer.

Recreating human livers, in mice‘Humanized’ mice could help scientists study the side effects of new drugs before they reach clinical trials.

How dense is a cell?Combining an ancient principle with new technology, MIT researchers have devised a way to answer that question.

Working in harmonyMIT-designed nanoparticles communicate with each other inside the body to target tumors more efficiently.'

Turning off cancer’s growth signalsBiological engineers’ new approach to shutting down cell division could lead to new cancer drugs.