Novel structures made with DNA scaffolds could be used to create solar-powered materials.
Bioengineering and Neuroengineering
Cover Photo Credit: Dr. Soohong Kim & Dr. Paul Blainey, Image Credit: Boyden Lab
Research in Bioengineering and Neuroengineering at MIT emphasizes development of innovative tools to enable high-resolution measurements, high-precision control, and high-throughput perturbation of biological systems, including photogenetics and genome engineering.
Katharina Ribbeck
New technique scours the genome for genes that combat disease
Biological engineers identify genes that protect against protein linked to Parkinson's disease.
Using a modified version of the CRISPR genome-editing system, MIT researchers have developed a new way to screen for genes that protect against specific diseases.
CRISPR is normally used to edit or delete genes from living cells. However, the MIT team adapted it to randomly turn on or off distinct gene sets across large populations of cells, allowing the researchers to identify genes that protect cells from a protein associated with Parkinson’s disease.