Study offers an explanation for why the APOE4 gene enhances Alzheimer’s risk

The gene variant disrupts lipid metabolism, but in cell experiments the effects were reversed by choline supplements.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
March 3, 2021 ~7 min

Catching cancer in the act

Using CRISPR technology, researchers are tracking the lineage of individual cancer cells as they proliferate and metastasize in real-time.

Eva Frederick | Whitehead Institute • mit
Jan. 22, 2021 ~10 min


Understanding antibodies to avoid pandemics

Structural biologist Pamela Björkman shared insights into pandemic viruses as part of the Department of Biology’s IAP seminar series.

Saima Sidik | Department of Biology • mit
Jan. 19, 2021 ~5 min

RNA molecules are masters of their own destiny

Research suggests the products of transcription — RNA molecules — regulate their own production through a feedback loop.

Eva Frederick | Whitehead Institute • mit
Jan. 5, 2021 ~8 min

Regulating the regulators

Tiny microRNAs help destroy unwanted messenger RNAs in cells. New research finds how the body keeps them in check.

Eva Frederick | Whitehead Institute • mit
Nov. 24, 2020 ~6 min

Learning by doing, remotely

Despite the disruption caused by the pandemic, MIT students have carved out meaningful hands-on experiences.

Elizabeth Durant | Office of the Vice Chancellor • mit
Oct. 19, 2020 ~10 min

Flatworms muscle new eyes' wiring into their brains

Peter Reddien's lab at the Whitehead Institute takes a step forward in understanding how neural circuits could be regenerated in adults.

Eva Frederick | Whitehead Institute • mit
July 8, 2020 ~8 min

How cancer drugs find their targets

Certain cancer therapeutics concentrate within cells — a finding that could change the way scientists think about drug design.

Eva Frederick | Whitehead Institute • mit
June 26, 2020 ~10 min


HIV genome bends over backwards to help virus take over cells

Differently shaped RNA molecules allow HIV to express different genes from the same RNA sequence.

Eva Frederick | Whitehead Institute • mit
May 11, 2020 ~9 min

Putting a finger on the switch of chronic parasite infection

Researchers find master regulator needed for Toxoplasma gondii parasite to chronically infect host; promising step toward infection treatment, prevention.

Greta Friar | Whitehead Institute • mit
Jan. 21, 2020 ~6 min

/

9