The Surprising Influence of Sex Chromosomes on Whole-Body Gene Expression
A groundbreaking study reveals that sex chromosomes, especially through genes ZFX and ZFY, play a critical role in regulating gene expression across the human body,…
MIT’s Whitehead Institute News
MIT’s Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research is a renowned independent research institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1982 as a nonprofit affiliate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Institute focuses on fundamental biomedical research, aiming to improve human health through the discovery of the underlying mechanisms of disease. It is named after philanthropist Edwin C. Whitehead, who was instrumental in its establishment. The Whitehead Institute has a distinguished reputation for its pioneering work in genetics, genomics, and cancer research, among other areas. It has contributed significantly to the mapping and sequencing of the human genome and continues to lead in areas like stem cell research and regenerative medicine. The collaborative environment of the Institute includes a mix of full-time faculty and MIT-affiliated members, fostering a dynamic research community that drives innovative approaches to solving complex biological problems.
A “Genetic Parasite” – The Secret Protector of Fertility
The genetic makeup of many species, including humans, contains crucial components known as ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences. Due to their highly repetitive pattern, these DNA…
New Comprehensive Map Ties Every Human Gene to Its Function
Scientists used their single-cell sequencing tool Perturb-seq on every expressed gene in the human genome, linking each to its job in the cell. Genetic research…
So-Called “Junk” DNA Is Essential, Plays a Key Role in Speciation
More than 10 percent of our genome is made up of repetitive, seemingly nonsensical stretches of genetic material called satellite DNA that do not code for…
Genetically Modified Yeast To Efficiently Make Biofuels From Discarded Plant Matter
The new system streamlines the process of fermenting plant sugar to fuel by helping yeast survive industrial toxins. More corn is grown in the United…
Genetic Engineering 2.0: An On-Off Switch for Gene Editing
New, reversible CRISPR method can control gene expression while leaving underlying DNA sequence unchanged. Over the past decade, the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system has revolutionized…
RNA Molecules Are Masters of Their Own Destiny – Regulating Their Own Production Through a Feedback Loop
Research suggests the products of transcription — RNA molecules — regulate their own production through a feedback loop. At any given moment in the human…
Using CRISPR Genetic Technology to Catch Cancer in the Act
Using CRISPR technology, researchers are tracking the lineage of individual cancer cells as they proliferate and metastasize in real-time. When cancer is confined to one…
COVID-19 Scientific Leaders Share Expertise in New MIT Class – Available to the Public Online
MIT course on the COVID-19 pandemic, available to the public online, brings together top experts to educate students on up-to-date science. As the COVID-19 pandemic…
Radical New View of Gene Control
Along the genome, proteins form liquid-like droplets that appear to boost the expression of particular genes. In recent years, MIT scientists have developed a new…
Whitehead Institute Biologists Uncover a Blueprint for Regeneration
Researchers at Whitehead Institute have uncovered a framework for regeneration that may explain and predict how stem cells in adult, regenerating tissue determine where to…
First Direct Evidence That Fragile X Syndrome Neurons Can Be Restored
Fragile X syndrome is the most frequent cause of intellectual disability in males, affecting one out of every 3,600 boys born. The syndrome can also…
Researchers Show Distinct Muscle Subsets That Orchestrate Tissue Regeneration
Whitehead Institute has illuminated an important role for different subtypes of muscle cells in orchestrating the process of tissue regeneration. In a paper appearing online…
Researchers Discover that Prions Play Role in Yeast Survival and Evolution
While testing wild strains of yeast containing prions, researchers at MIT discovered that prions awaken dormant stretches of genes that can help the yeast survive…