MIT’s Department of Biological Engineering continues to drive innovation across multiple fields, from stem cell research and cancer detection to advanced medical imaging and protein engineering. Here is a roundup of recent developments highlighted in MIT News.
Advancing Stem Cell Research
Biology PhD student Giselle Valdes is studying stem cell regeneration while inspiring the next generation of researchers. Her work focuses on understanding how stem cells can be harnessed for therapeutic applications.
Brighter MRI Signals
MIT researchers have developed new MRI sensors that sensitively detect target molecules in the brain and body. This breakthrough could lead to improved diagnostic imaging for neurological conditions.
Fulbright Awards
Eleven members of the MIT community have accepted 2026 Fulbright awards. Over half of MIT’s Fulbright applicants won awards this year, with recipients embarking on research and teaching projects abroad.
Cancer Nanomedicine
The MIT Marble Center for Cancer Nanomedicine celebrates a decade of transforming nanotechnology concepts into advances for cancer patients, achieving significant progress in detection and treatment.
Plastic Waste Solutions
Akorfa Dagadu, a senior in chemical engineering, highlights the importance of community-engaged research through the PKG Center for Social Impact, addressing plastic waste from a systems perspective.
Photonic Devices
MIT researchers created tiny 3D photonic devices with features small enough to channel visible light, potentially enabling devices that compute using light instead of electricity.
Faculty Awards
MIT School of Engineering faculty received multiple awards in winter 2026, recognizing their scholarship, service, and excellence.
Chromatin and Gene Expression
By monitoring chromosomal structures over various timescales, researchers discovered that chromatin helps bring genes closer to their regulatory elements, controlling gene expression.
Molecular Markers of Fitness
A new study reveals cellular pathways that underlie differences in physical fitness, mapping molecular markers that could inform exercise science.
Pencil Beam Laser
A self-organizing ‘pencil beam’ laser offers faster, more precise biomedical imaging, helping scientists design brain-targeted therapies.
Goldwater Scholars
Rising seniors Deeksha Kumaresh, Anna Liu, and Charlotte Myers were named 2026 Goldwater Scholars for their academic achievements.
Gates Cambridge Scholars
Two MIT alumnae, Mitali Chowdhury and Christina Kim, both class of 2024, will pursue graduate studies at Cambridge University as 2026 Gates Cambridge Scholars.
AI-Driven Protein Design
OpenProtein.AI, founded by Tristan Bepler PhD ’20 and former MIT professor Tim Lu PhD ’07, offers open-source models for protein engineering, democratizing access to AI tools.
Youth and Carcinogen Vulnerability
A new study suggests that the chemical NDMA is more likely to cause cancerous mutations after exposure early in life, highlighting the vulnerability of youth.
MIT Rankings
MIT’s graduate engineering program is ranked No. 1 in the nation by U.S. News for 2026-27, with MIT Sloan ranked No. 6.
For more details on each story, follow the links to MIT News.