Scientists discover slimy microbes that may help keep coral reefs healthy

The bacteria scrub out nitrogen, potentially defending against certain nutrient overloads.

---

chemistry environment bacteria biology microbes research school-of-science oceanography-and-ocean-engineering eaps ocean-science

RNA molecules are masters of their own destiny

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

---

physics chemistry genetics biology rna research drug-development school-of-engineering school-of-science whitehead-institute chemical-engineering

3 Questions: Using fabric to “listen” to space dust

Fabric samples are headed to the International Space Station for resiliency testing; possible applications include cosmic dust detectors or spacesuit smart skins.

---

chemistry electronics nasa research graduate-postdoctoral media-lab school-of-architecture-and-planning school-of-engineering school-of-science 3-questions research-laboratory-of-electronics materials-science-and-engineering dmse space-astronomy-and-planetary-science

Chemists discover the structure of a key coronavirus protein

The protein, which acts as an ion channel, could be a target for new drugs against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

---

chemistry covid-19 biology research school-of-science national-institutes-of-nih

Power-free system harnesses evaporation to keep items cool

Inspired by camel fur, a new two-layered material could provide extended cooling to preserve the freshness of perishable goods.

---

chemistry energy research school-of-engineering materials-science-and-engineering dmse mit-energy-initiative energy-storage chemical-engeering

Yogesh Surendranath wants to decarbonize our energy systems

By developing novel electrochemical reactions, he hopes to find new ways to generate energy and reduce greenhouse gases.

---

chemistry profile research renewable-energy school-of-science faculty mit-energy-initiative

Technique recovers lost single-cell RNA-sequencing information

Boosting the efficiency of single-cell RNA-sequencing helps reveal subtle differences between healthy and dysfunctional cells.

---

chemistry broad-institute ragon-institute research school-of-engineering school-of-science national-institutes-of-health-nih koch-institute institute-for-medical-engineering-and-science-imes

A step toward a universal flu vaccine

With computer models and lab experiments, researchers are working on a strategy for vaccines that could protect against any influenza virus.

---

influenza physics chemistry medicine ragon-institute vaccines disease viruses research school-of-engineering school-of-science national-science-foundation-nsf national-institutes-of-health-nih chemical-engineering institute-for-medical-engineering-and-sciences-imes

Cancer researchers collaborate, target DNA damage repair pathways for cancer therapy

MIT researchers find blocking the expressions of the genes XPA and MK2 enhances the tumor-shrinking effects of platinum-based chemotherapies in p53-mutated cancers.

---

chemistry medicine cancer research school-of-engineering school-of-science biological-engineering koch-institute chemical-engineering

Making tuberculosis more susceptible to antibiotics

Shortening carbohydrates in the bacterial cell wall makes them more vulnerable to certain drugs.

---

chemistry antibiotics microbes research school-of-science national-institutes-of-health-nih