How the immune system fights off malaria
Study reveals immune cells that are critical to combating the parasite in early stages of infection.
Department
Biology
Ahoy! First ocean vesicles spotted
Scientists discover extracellular vesicles produced by ocean microbes.
Biologist Boris Magasanik dies at 94
Pioneer in gene regulation transformed MIT’s Department of Biology as department head from 1967 to 1977.
Hazel Sive steps down as associate dean of the School of Science
Biologist’s six-year administrative tenure focused on educational initiatives and on diversity and inclusiveness among faculty and postdocs.
Biologists find clues to a parasite’s inconsistency
Certain strains of Toxoplasma provoke inflammation that can damage host cells, while others are harmless.
Discovering hippocampal connections responsible for episodic memory
MIT neuroscientists map neural circuits involving the CA2 region of the hippocampus.
Unusual suspects
Computer models plus observations of RNA inside a cell help scientists home in on a short list of interesting RNA ‘machines.’
Homing in on stressed coral
Sulfurous chemical known as ‘smell of the sea’ serves as clarion call for coral pathogens.
For the good of the colony
Research shows the success of a bacterial community depends on its shape.
Four MIT seniors win Marshall Scholarships
Kate Koch, Colleen Loynachan, Kirin Sinha, and Grace Young will study for two years in the UK.
Researchers unlock a new means of growing intestinal stem cells
Studying these cells could lead to new treatments for diseases ranging from gastrointestinal disease to diabetes.
Pills of the future: nanoparticles
Researchers design drug-carrying nanoparticles that can be taken orally
Biologists ID new cancer weakness
Drugs that block new target gene could make many tumors more vulnerable to chemotherapy.
Military medicine
Senior Laura Lu’s years at MIT have included cancer research, ROTC leadership, and prosthesis trials — and she aims to put her talents to use one day as a Navy surgeon.