A comprehensive map of the SARS-CoV-2 genome

MIT researchers have determined the virus’ protein-coding gene set and analyzed new mutations’ likelihood of helping the virus adapt.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
May 11, 2021 ~8 min

Biologists discover a trigger for cell extrusion

Study suggests this process for eliminating unneeded cells may also protect against cancer.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
May 5, 2021 ~7 min


An on-off switch for gene editing

New, reversible CRISPR method can control gene expression while leaving underlying DNA sequence unchanged.

Eva Frederick | Whitehead Institute • mit
April 14, 2021 ~9 min

A safer way to deploy bacteria as environmental sensors

Encapsulating modified bacteria in tough hydrogel spheres prevents them from spreading genes to other microbes.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
April 5, 2021 ~7 min

How industrialized life remodels the microbiome

International study reveals gut bacteria from people in industrialized societies swap genes at much higher rates.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
March 31, 2021 ~7 min

Study: One enzyme dictates cells’ response to a probable carcinogen

Varying levels of a DNA repair enzyme can lead to very different outcomes after exposure to NDMA.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
March 16, 2021 ~7 min

Eyeless roundworms sense color

C. elegans compares the ratio of wavelengths in its environment to avoid dangerous bacteria that secrete colorful toxins.

Raleigh McElvery | Department of Biology • mit
March 4, 2021 ~7 min

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


Basic cell health systems wear down in Huntington’s disease, analysis shows

A new computational approach for analyzing complex datasets shows that as disease progresses, neurons and astrocytes lose the ability to maintain homeostasis.

David Orenstein | Picower Institute for Learning and Memory • mit
Feb. 24, 2021 ~6 min

Metabolic mutations help bacteria resist drug treatment

Study suggests forcing bacteria to burn more energy could make them more susceptible to antibiotics.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
Feb. 18, 2021 ~7 min

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