Killing the messenger
A newly characterized anti-viral defense system in bacteria aborts infection through a novel mechanism by chemically altering mRNA.
Capsid of HIV-1 behaves like cell’s cargo receptor to enter the nucleus
Biologists demonstrate that HIV-1 capsid acts like a Trojan horse to pass viral cargo across the nuclear pore.
Turning history of science into a comic adventure
Associate Professor Lydia Bourouiba and artist Argha Manna take readers through a series of discoveries in infectious disease.
Angela Belcher delivers 2023 Dresselhaus Lecture on evolving organisms for new nanomaterials
MIT professor combines nanoscience and viruses to develop solutions in energy, environment, and medicine.
3 Questions: Darrell Irvine on making HIV vaccines more powerful
Human volunteers will soon begin receiving an HIV vaccine that contains an adjuvant developed in Irvine’s lab, which helps to boost B cell responses to the vaccine.
Germicidal UV lights could be producing indoor air pollutants, study finds
While useful for killing pathogens including SARS-CoV-2, the lights may cause unwanted chemical reactions and should be used with ventilation, researchers say.
Targeting a coronavirus ion channel could yield new Covid-19 drugs
Chemists discover the structures of open and closed states of the channel, which could help the development of antiviral drugs to reduce inflammation.
Studying phages far from home
Biology graduate student Tong Zhang has spent the last two years learning the intricacies of how bacteria protect themselves.
Creating a versatile vaccine to take on Covid-19 in its many guises
Aided by machine learning, scientists are working to develop a vaccine that would be effective against all SARS-CoV-2 strains.
SMART researchers develop quick test to determine immunity against Covid-19
Test that measures a person’s antibodies requires a drop of blood and takes just 10 minutes to show results.
Assay determines the percentage of Omicron, other variants in Covid wastewater
Developed by the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, the assay can provide new details about the type of SARS-CoV-2 circulating in a community.
MIT scientists discover new antiviral defense system in bacteria
Prokaryotes can detect hallmark viral proteins and trigger cell death through a process seen across all domains of life.
Robert Langer wins BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award
Institute Professor honored for groundbreaking work in nucleic acid delivery and nanoparticles.
Nanoparticle sensor can distinguish between viral and bacterial pneumonia
Using this diagnostic, doctors could avoid prescribing antibiotics in cases where they won’t be effective.
Synthesis too slow? Let this robot do it.
Tiny Tides is an automated fast-flow instrument that can synthesize peptide-nucleic acids in a single shot.