A new tool for modeling the human gut microbiome
Bacteria linked to Crohn’s disease are difficult to grow in the lab, but MIT engineers have found a way.
Rapid antibody development yields possible treatment for yellow fever
The experimental drug has shown promise in early-stage clinical trials conducted in Singapore.
![“The biology [around gut bacteria’s influence on health] is fairly complex, and we’re still in the early days of unravelling it, but there have been a number of clinical studies that have reported benefits to restoring gut health, and that’s our north star: the clinical data,” Finch co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Mark Smith PhD ’14 says.](/sites/default/files/styles/term_page__news_article/public/images/202007/MIT-Finch-01.jpg?itok=-8olXqg-)
Finch Therapeutics unleashes the power of the gut
The company is developing treatments that restore gut bacteria in people struggling with a range of diseases.
Engineers develop precision injection system for plants
Microneedles made of silk-based material can target plant tissues for delivery of micronutrients, hormones, or genes.
Professor Emeritus Arnold Demain, a pioneer in the development of antibiotics, dies at 92
An eminent microbiologist, Demain conducted groundbreaking antibiotics research and mentored hundreds of young scientists.
3Q: Robert Macfarlane on cleaning your smartphone screen
Materials scientist explores why some household cleaners could harm the protective coating on a smartphone screen.
Using “organs-on-a-chip” to model complicated diseases
A new approach reveals how different tissues contribute to inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis.
Bacterial enzyme could become a new target for antibiotics
Scientists discover the structure of an enzyme, found in the human gut, that breaks down a component of collagen.
Covid-19 diagnostic based on MIT technology might be tested on patient samples soon
A variety of MIT research projects could aid efforts to detect and prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Mirrored chip could enable handheld dark-field microscopes
Simple chip powered by quantum dots allows standard microscopes to visualize difficult-to-image biological organisms.
Artificial intelligence yields new antibiotic
A deep-learning model identifies a powerful new drug that can kill many species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
How transient invaders can transform an ecosystem
Study finds microbes can alter an environment dramatically before dying out.
Seeding oceans with iron may not impact climate change
Study finds Earth’s oceans contain just the right amount of iron; adding more may not improve their ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
Why C. difficile infection spreads despite increased sanitation practices
Research underscores infection is not a common hospital transmission.
Maurice Fox, professor emeritus of biology, dies at 95
A caring mentor and staunch political activist, Fox cared deeply about his students, the department, and the scientific enterprise.