Insect protein could support healthy ageing and fight climate change

Insects are packed with high-quality protein, as well as good fats, vitamins and minerals like iron and zinc.

Catherine Norton, Associate Professor Sport & Exercise Nutrition, University of Limerick • conversation
May 16, 2025 ~5 min

With AI, researchers predict the location of virtually any protein within a human cell

Trained with a joint understanding of protein and cell behavior, the model could help with diagnosing disease and developing new drugs.

Adam Zewe | MIT News • mit
May 15, 2025 ~8 min


A brief history of expansion microscopy

Since an MIT team introduced expansion microscopy in 2015, the technique has powered the science behind kidney disease, plant seeds, the microbiome, Alzheimer’s, viruses, and more.

Jennifer Michalowski | McGovern Institute for Brain Research • mit
April 23, 2025 ~13 min

‘Pac-Man with a ponytail’ proteins regulate everything from night vision to heartbeats – studying what GRKs look like could improve an array of drugs

Master switches of cell communication, G protein-coupled receptor kinases are the target of many drugs across a range of diseases.

Priyanka Naik, Ph.D. Candidate in Structural Biology, Purdue University • conversation
March 7, 2025 ~7 min

Study suggests new molecular strategy for treating fragile X syndrome

Enhancing activity of a specific component of neurons’ “NMDA” receptors normalized protein synthesis, neural activity, and seizure susceptibility in the hippocampus of fragile X lab mice.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
March 4, 2025 ~7 min

Seeing more in expansion microscopy

New methods light up lipid membranes and let researchers see sets of proteins inside cells with high resolution.

Jennifer Michalowski | McGovern Institute for Brain Research • mit
March 3, 2025 ~10 min

An ancient RNA-guided system could simplify delivery of gene editing therapies

The programmable proteins are compact, modular, and can be directed to modify DNA in human cells.

Jennifer Michalowski | McGovern Institute for Brain Research • mit
Feb. 27, 2025 ~7 min

AI system predicts protein fragments that can bind to or inhibit a target

FragFold, developed by MIT Biology researchers, is a computational method with potential for impact on biological research and therapeutic applications.

Lillian Eden | Department of Biology • mit
Feb. 20, 2025 ~9 min


p53 is both your genome’s guardian and weakness against cancer – scientists are trying to repair or replace it when it goes awry

The gene that codes for p53 is the most frequently mutated in cancer. Researchers are targeting different parts of its complex pathway to restore its ability to stop cancer.

Prosper Obed Chukwuemeka, Ph.D. Candidate in Integrative Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
Feb. 20, 2025 ~7 min

AI model deciphers the code in proteins that tells them where to go

Whitehead Institute and CSAIL researchers created a machine-learning model to predict and generate protein localization, with implications for understanding and remedying disease.

Greta Friar | Whitehead Institute • mit
Feb. 13, 2025 ~11 min

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