Disease

Rheumatoid arthritis, which afflicts more than 1 million Americans, is an autoimmune disorder that produces swollen and painful joints, primarily affecting the wrists and hands.

New study solves an arthritis drug mystery

MIT biological engineers discover why a promising drug failed in clinical trials.

March 6, 2018

A collection of SHERLOCK paper test strips. (Left) Unused paper strips, (middle) paper tests displaying a negative SHERLOCK readout, and (right) paper tests displaying a positive SHERLOCK readout.

Researchers advance CRISPR-based tool for diagnosing disease

With SHERLOCK, a strip of paper can now indicate presence of pathogens, tumor DNA, or any genetic signature of interest.

February 15, 2018

New Whitehead Institute research may prove to be a useful paradigm for targeting diseases caused by abnormal methylation.

Study: Fragile X syndrome neurons can be restored

Whitehead Institute researchers are using a modified CRISPR/Cas9-guided activation strategy to investigate the most frequent cause of intellectual disability in males.

February 15, 2018

Graduate student James Hermus demonstrates a production robot based on the original MIT-MANUS design in the Eric P. and Evelyn E. Newman Laboratory for Biomechanics and Human Rehabilitation. The robot, which helps stroke victims recover and regain mobility, represents one of the many ways MIT's mechanical engineering researchers are working to improve health care.

Understanding and treating disease

Mechanical engineering researchers are developing new and innovative ways to improve health care.

February 2, 2018

Project leader Gigi Hirsch, executive director of the MIT Center for Biomedical Innovation and NEWDIGS Initiative, announced LEAPS at the Next Wave Forum on Dec. 12. Also pictured, left to right: Krystyn, J. Van Vliet, associate provost at MIT; Kourtney Davis, global head of real world data and analytics at GlaxoSmithKline; Felipe Dolz, vice president of global regulatory science and policy at San...

Pioneering a health care innovation ecosystem to better serve patients

NEWDIGS Initiative at MIT leads multi-stakeholder collaboration to design and pilot a sustainable, patient-centered innovation ecosystem for a target disease.

December 15, 2017

MIT spinout Portal Instruments has landed a commercialization deal for a smart, needle-free injection device that could reduce the pain and anxiety associated with needle injections, shorten administration time, and improve patient adherence.

Startup’s needle-free drug injector gets commercialization deal

Collaboration with pharmaceutical giant will bring smart jet-injection device to market.

December 7, 2017

In a new study, MIT researchers have developed nanoparticles that can deliver the CRISPR genome-editing system and specifically modify genes, eliminating the need to use viruses for delivery.

CRISPR-carrying nanoparticles edit the genome

New delivery system developed by MIT team deletes disease-causing genes and reduces cholesterol.

November 13, 2017

A nutrient mix based in part on research from the lab of MIT Professor Emeritus Richard Wurtman has shown promise in treating the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

MIT research laid groundwork for promising Alzheimer’s-fighting drink

Studies by Richard Wurtman have led to development of nutrient mix shown to slow cognitive impairment in early stages of the disease.

October 30, 2017

The non-profit Young 1ove designed a course for Botswana schools called “No Sugar” that teaches young girls the high likelihood of contracting HIV from older men called "sugar daddies." Classes begin with ice breakers, such as singing and dancing exercises (shown here). The remainder of the class teaches students risk factors of sugar daddies and how to seek help. The course has reached more t...

Course helps girls in Botswana avoid HIV and “sugar daddies”

Youth-to-youth program teaches girls about the increased odds of contracting HIV from older men.

October 25, 2017

Elazer Edelman and his students have been credited as some of the key contributors and pioneers of the coronary stent.

Elazer Edelman honored with Cardiovascular Research Foundation career achievement award

The 2017 Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics Career Achievement Award honors a pioneering biomedical engineer, scientist, professor, and cardiologist.

October 13, 2017