Simons Center’s collaborative approach propels autism research, at MIT and beyond

Team-based targeted projects, multi-mentor fellowships ensure that scientists studying social cognition, behavior, and autism integrate multiple perspectives and approaches to pressing questions.

David Orenstein | Simons Center for the Social Brain • mit
Jan. 30, 2024 ~12 min

Elly Nedivi receives 2023 Kreig Cortical Kudos Discoverer Award

The neuroscientist is recognized for her ongoing work to understand molecular and cellular mechanisms that enable the brain to adapt to experience.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
Nov. 29, 2023 ~3 min


Search algorithm reveals nearly 200 new kinds of CRISPR systems

By analyzing bacterial data, researchers have discovered thousands of rare new CRISPR systems that have a range of functions and could enable gene editing, diagnostics, and more.

Allessandra DiCorato | Broad Institute • mit
Nov. 23, 2023 ~8 min

How cell identity is preserved when cells divide

MIT study suggests 3D folding of the genome is key to cells’ ability to store and pass on “memories” of which genes they should express.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
Nov. 16, 2023 ~9 min

Wobbly gel mat trains muscle cells to work together

The vibrating platform could be useful for growing artificial muscles to power soft robots and testing therapies for neuromuscular diseases.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News • mit
Oct. 20, 2023 ~7 min

Targeting a coronavirus ion channel could yield new Covid-19 drugs

Chemists discover the structures of open and closed states of the channel, which could help the development of antiviral drugs to reduce inflammation.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
Oct. 13, 2023 ~6 min

Study explains why certain immunotherapies don’t always work as predicted

The findings could help doctors identify cancer patients who would benefit the most from drugs called checkpoint blockade inhibitors.

Anne Trafton | MIT News • mit
Sept. 14, 2023 ~8 min

Study connects neural gene expression differences to functional distinctions

Researchers compared a pair of superficially similar motor neurons in fruit flies to examine how their differing use of the same genome produced distinctions in form and function.

David Orenstein | The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
Aug. 25, 2023 ~8 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

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