Biology

Chris A. Kaiser selected as MIT provostLongtime member of the biology faculty to succeed L. Rafael Reif as the Institute’s senior academic and budget officer.

Fishing for answers to autism puzzleBiologists take a new approach to deciphering the roles of genes associated with autism.

Study identifies enzymes needed to mend tissue damage after inflammationFindings may help predict colon cancer risk for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Piece by pieceMIT biologist Schwartz relishes the challenge of picking apart the cell’s most complex structure.

One-two punch knocks out aggressive breast cancer cellsNew MIT study shows that staggered delivery of cancer drugs is far more effective than administering them at the same time.

Inhibitory and excitatory synapse dynamics in the brain

Pinpointing how antibiotics workTeam uncovers mechanism that produces fatal DNA damage in bacteria.

Targeted nanoparticles show success in clinical trialsTiny particles designed to home in on cancer cells achieve tumor shrinkage at lower doses than traditional chemotherapy.

Predicting how proteins will partnerAmy Keating models critical interactions that underlie most cellular functions.

What lies ahead for science and science writing?10th anniversary of MIT Graduate Program in Science Writing celebrates past, looks to future.

Freeing radicals from their negative connotationsKillian Award recipient JoAnne Stubbe says some free radicals can be good for you.

Eric Lander wins Dan David PrizeBroad Institute director, biology professor shares prize in the 'future' category.

Tania Baker named head of the Department of BiologySucceeds Chris Kaiser, who was appointed director of NIGMS

Prions play key role in yeast survival and evolutionFor the first time, researchers find prions in wild strains of yeast, and show they can help the organisms withstand stress.

Cohen, Hinckley named Gates Cambridge Scholars for 2012Two MIT seniors to pursue graduate degrees at the University of Cambridge.

Medicine, microorganisms and MexicoBiology major and Rhodes Scholar combines research and social service in the study of infectious diseases.

Harnessing nature’s solar cellsPhotovoltaic panels made from plant material could become a cheap, easy alternative to traditional solar cells.

How spider webs achieve their strengthIt’s not just the strength of the silk itself, a new study finds; the silk’s way of stretching and the structure of the whole web help it resist damage.

The Art of MicrobiologyIAP course tackles life-saving biology.

Viruses con bacteria into working for themCoevolution of guest and host lets a virus control its host’s machinery.

MIT faculty see promise in American manufacturingStudy group is tackling hard questions about what it will take to stoke renewal.

How research goes viralWhat makes a new finding in biology circulate widely? An MIT economist knows: Make the original research materials accessible.

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

Proteins linked to longevity may be involved in mood controlExcess of sirtuins can produce anxiety, a possible evolutionary adaptation to dietary restriction.

How cancer cells get by on a starvation dietNew study shows that tumor cells, deprived of glucose, alter their metabolism to use other sources of sustenance.

MIT senior Stephanie Lin wins Rhodes ScholarshipStudent in biology, applied international studies will study at Oxford next year.

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