AI models are powerful, but are they biologically plausible?

A new study bridging neuroscience and machine learning offers insights into the potential role of astrocytes in the human brain.

Adam Zewe | MIT News • mit
Aug. 15, 2023 ~9 min

Study explains how part of the nucleolus evolved

A single protein can self-assemble to build the scaffold for a biomolecular condensate that makes up a key nucleolar compartment.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
Aug. 15, 2023 ~7 min


Study finds a surprising new role for a major immune regulator

In addition to turning on genes involved in cell defense, the STING protein also acts as an ion channel, allowing it to control a wide variety of immune responses.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
Aug. 3, 2023 ~8 min

Study finds tracking brain waves could reduce post-op complications

Distinctive EEG patterns indicate when a patient’s state of unconsciousness under general anesthesia is more profound than necessary.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
July 17, 2023 ~7 min

How Tau tangles form in the brain

A new study shows that truncated versions of the Tau protein are more likely to form the sticky filaments seen in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
July 14, 2023 ~6 min

Scientists pinpoint where thousands of individual proteins are made in intact tissue and single cells

A new technology called RIBOmap can give researchers valuable insight into how protein production in animal and human tissue is altered in disease.

Sarah C.P. Williams | Broad Institute • mit
July 14, 2023 ~6 min

Without a key extracellular protein, neuronal axons break and synaptic connections fall apart

Scientists find a protein common to flies and people is essential for supporting the structure of axons that neurons project to make circuit connections.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
June 23, 2023 ~7 min

Unraveling connections between the brain and gut

MIT engineers’ new technology can probe the neural circuits that influence hunger, mood, and a variety of diseases.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
June 22, 2023 ~10 min


MIT engineers develop a soft, printable, metal-free electrode

A new Jell-O-like material could replace metals as electrical interfaces for pacemakers, cochlear implants, and other electronic implants.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News Office • mit
June 15, 2023 ~8 min

New model offers a way to speed up drug discovery

By applying a language model to protein-drug interactions, researchers can quickly screen large libraries of potential drug compounds.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
June 8, 2023 ~9 min

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