Biology

This image depicts the process of metastasis in a mouse tumor, where tumor cells (green) have helped to reorganize the collagen into aligned fibers (blue) that provide the structural support for motility. This helps the tumor cells to enter blood vessels (red), ultimately leading to the formation of metastases in other organs.

Paving the way for metastasis

Cancer cells remodel their environment to make it easier to reach nearby blood vessels.

March 15, 2016

Artist interpretation of a cancer cell dividing

How cancer cells fuel their growth

Scientists surprised to find amino acids, not sugar, supply most building blocks for tumor cells.

March 7, 2016

"[W]e hope that our studies of vps-50 will provide insights into human neuropsychiatric disorders,” H. Robert Horvitz says.

Neuroscientists discover a gene that controls worms’ behavioral state

Gene required for the control of behavioral state is also found in humans, may be linked to autism.

March 3, 2016

“Not only does the high-fat diet change the biology of stem cells, it also changes the biology of non-stem-cell populations, which collectively leads to an increase in tumor formation,” Omer Yilmaz says.

How diet influences colon cancer

Study ties high-fat diet to changes in intestinal stem cells, may help explain increased cancer risk.

March 2, 2016

McGovern Institute for Brain Research awards Scolnick Prize to neurogeneticist Cori Bargmann

Bargmann honored for her work on the genetic and neural mechanisms that control behavior in the nematode C. elegans.

March 1, 2016

MIT's Killian Court, with Great Dome in the background

Eleven MIT researchers win Sloan Research Fellowships

Faculty from eight MIT science and engineering departments among 126 selected from across the U.S. and Canada.

February 23, 2016

Krishna Rajagopal, chair of the faculty and professor of physics, presents Tyler Jacks with the Killian Award.

Targeting cancer from many angles

Killian Award recipient Tyler Jacks fosters interdisciplinary, innovative cancer research.

February 12, 2016

Reuben Saunders named 2016-2017 Churchill Scholar

MIT senior and chemistry major will pursue graduate studies in the U.K.

February 11, 2016

Eric Lander wins AAAS Philip Hauge Abelson Prize

Professor and director of the Broad Institute honored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science for outstanding contributions to science and society.

February 10, 2016

Cartoon stoplight with red "on" light illuminated. Green "off" light is dark.

A day in the life of a synapse reveals new facets of the adult brain

February 4, 2016

The regulation of the enzyme ribonucleotide reductase allows for just the right levels of deoxynucleotides, the building blocks of DNA, to be produced in the cell.

Supply chain

Chemists discover how a single enzyme maintains a cell’s pool of DNA building blocks.

January 12, 2016

Researchers have discovered how some organisms can safely process oxalate, which is found in many fruits and vegetables. This discovery could lead to new ways to lessen the harmful effects that can occur when oxalate builds up in humans, who cannot metabolize this molecule.

A healthy breakdown

Researchers discover how some organisms process oxalate, a molecule that can harm humans.

December 28, 2015

(Clockwise from top left)
Angela M. Belcher; Sangeeta N. Bhatia; H. Robert Horvitz; and Emery N. Brown.

Four MIT faculty named 2015 fellows of the National Academy of Inventors

Belcher, Bhatia, Brown, and Horvitz recognized for demonstrating a prolific spirit of innovation and invention resulting in a tangible impact on society.

December 18, 2015

Clockwise from top left: Professors Karl Berggren, Edmund Bertschinger, Victor Zue, and Gerald Fink have been named AAAS Fellows.

Four MIT faculty elected 2015 AAAS Fellows

Berggren, Bertschinger, Fink, and Zue are among those recognized for efforts toward advancing science.

November 23, 2015

Motor neurons (green) form synapses (highlighted in magenta) on muscle fibers in a fruit fly. MIT neuroscientists have discovered a pathway that contributes to strengthening these synapses.

Neuroscientists reveal how the brain can enhance connections

Newly identified mechanism allows the brain to strengthen links between neurons.

November 18, 2015

MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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