Biology

Building blocksMIT groups lending a hand by assembling LEGO biology kits for local schools

A life filled with firstsEllen Swallow Richards, MIT’s first female graduate and faculty member, opened the door for women in science, and founded ecology and home economics along the way.

Putting up a struggle against cancerBlood-vessel cells can combat aggressive tumors, helping to prevent them from spreading through the body, new study finds.

Canned, goodMore than 100 years ago, 2 pioneering scientists figured out how to keep canned food safe.

6 from MIT named AAAS fellows

Delivering a potent cancer drug with nanoparticles can lessen side effectsThe new nanoparticle, which delivers the drug in a form activated when it reaches its target, also treats tumors more effectively than the unadorned drug in mice.

On the trail of a stealthy parasiteBiologist Jeroen Saeij shows why some strains of Toxoplasma are more dangerous than others.

Countering ‘memory loss’ in the immune systemNew findings from MIT biologists could help vaccine designers elicit long-term immunity.

The code for survivalCells fight stress by reprogramming a system of RNA modifications, researchers find.

Jaenisch to receive MGH's Warren Triennial PrizeWhitehead member, biology professor wins prize alongside Kyoto University professor.

Suresh discusses the role of engineering in the study of infectious diseaseIn public lecture at MIT, former dean describes progress in understanding malaria.

Team wins protein-folding prizeEarn $5,000 for top finish in the University Protein Folding Challenge

3 Questions: Sara Seager on the discovery of a ‘new’ form of lifeThe MIT planetary scientist discusses what the finding means for life on Earth and elsewhere in the universe.

When gender isn’t written all over one’s faceNeuroscientists find that the same face may look male or female, depending on where it appears in a person’s field of view.

Timing is everything for cancer protein p53Biologists find that restoring the gene for p53 can slow the spread of advanced lung tumors, but doesn’t help early-stage cancers.

Lindquist receives National Medal of SciencePresident Obama presents nation’s top science awards at White House ceremony Wednesday.

Turning off cancer genesRNA interference holds much promise as a cancer treatment, but technical challenges remain.

A better way to target tumorsIn spite of slow progress toward targeting cancer drugs to individual patients, hope remains.

Tuning in to a new hearing mechanismFindings from MIT scientists could lead to hearing aids that mimic the ear’s ability to focus on particular frequencies.

A new target for cancer drugsShutting down an enzyme that responds to DNA damage could boost the effects of traditional chemotherapy.

7 win presidential early career honorsMIT has greatest number of recipients from a single institution.

Cancer’s hiding spots revealedDiscovery that tumor cells can escape from chemotherapy could lead to new treatments that prevent relapse.

Force of habitNew study shows that costs and rewards of behavior help the brain form optimal habits.

Going nature one betterMIT researchers aim to learn biology’s secrets for making tough, resilient materials out of simple components, and then improve on them.

Fueling up for 26.2 milesHST student develops model that can help marathon runners pace themselves to a strong finish.

Younger brains are easier to rewireStudy of blind patients supports the idea that there is a period early in a person’s development when brain regions can switch functions.

Teasing out malaria’s genetic secretsBiological engineer’s new approach to studying gene control could lead to new drug targets.

Susan Lindquist wins National Medal of ScienceThe Whitehead Institute member and MIT biology professor is one of 10 chosen to receive the top U.S. science honor.

Nerve-cell regeneration quest is fast trackedMicrochip technology rapidly identifies compounds for regrowing nerves, in live animals.

Surprising similarities between human and zebrafish tumorsNew finding that tumor cells in both species have too many chromosomes could help pinpoint genes that drive cancer development.