Engineers develop precision injection system for plants

Microneedles made of silk-based material can target plant tissues for delivery of micronutrients, hormones, or genes.

David L. Chandler | MIT News Office • mit
April 26, 2020 • ~7 min

Buildings have their own microbiomes – we're striving to make them healthy places

We spend 90% of our lives indoors, and every building has its own indoor microbiome. Can we learn to manage them in ways that support helpful microbes and suppress harmful ones?

Mark Fretz, Research Assistant Professor of Architecture, University of Oregon • conversation
April 17, 2020 • ~10 min

Bakers, you can help solve sourdough bread’s mysteries

A new project aims to solve the mysteries of sourdough bread. Whether you're a newbie or a pro, researchers want home bakers to get involved.

NC State • futurity
April 14, 2020 • ~7 min

Permafrost microbes may not create so much methane

The thawing of Arctic permafrost will reinvigorate microbes. The question is, how much methane will those microbes produce?

Brian Wallheimer-Purdue • futurity
April 6, 2020 • ~5 min

Peanut allergy may start in the gut – opening up new ways to tackle it

Evidence from a new study could help scientists develop drugs to neutralise the 'allergic antibodies' that cause anaphylaxis.

Rachael Rigby, Senior Lecturer in Gastro-Intestinal Health, Lancaster University • conversation
April 1, 2020 • ~6 min

There’s life 2,600 feet below the Indian Ocean seafloor

Ocean cores from 2,600 feet below the Indian Ocean seafloor contain tiny microbes, researchers report.

Keith Randall-Texas A&M • futurity
March 24, 2020 • ~3 min

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.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
March 17, 2020 • ~6 min

Vodka won't protect you from coronavirus, and 4 other things to know about hand sanitizer

Most commercial hand sanitizers are mainly alcohol, but forget about hitting the liquor store and mixing your own.

Jeffrey Gardner, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
March 13, 2020 • ~4 min

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.

Anne Trafton | Jennifer Chu | David L. Chandler | MIT News Office • mit
March 12, 2020 • ~11 min

Mirrored chip could enable handheld dark-field microscopes

Simple chip powered by quantum dots allows standard microscopes to visualize difficult-to-image biological organisms.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News Office • mit
Feb. 24, 2020 • ~9 min

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