Reprogramming biology
Biological engineer James Collins designs genetic circuits with novel functions.
Engineering biology
With a new DARPA contract, biological engineer Christopher Voigt aims to harness the power of living cells.
Viruses join fight against harmful bacteria
Engineered viruses could combat human disease and improve food safety.
Researchers develop basic computing elements for bacteria
Sensors, memory switches, and circuits can be encoded in a common gut bacterium.
Bacteria become “genomic tape recorders”
Engineered E. coli can store long-term memories of chemical exposure, other events in their DNA.
Getting metabolism right
Analysis of 89 models of metabolic processes finds flaws in 44 of them — but suggests corrections.
Engineered proteins stick like glue — even in water
New adhesives based on mussel proteins could be useful for naval or medical applications.
Engineers design ‘living materials’
Hybrid materials combine bacterial cells with nonliving elements that can conduct electricity or emit light.
MIT Center for Integrative Synthetic Biology receives five-year NIH grant
Five-year grant will support research on cancer therapy, artificial tissue homeostasis, and infectious diseases.
Turning bacteria into chemical factories
Kristala Jones Prather engineers cells to produce useful compounds such as drugs and biofuels.
An easier way to control genes
New method for turning genes on and off could enable more complex synthetic biology circuits.
Mass. Secretary of Education Matthew Malone visits MIT
The state's education chief speaks with high-school science teachers on campus.
