Features

• Categorized in Cover story

  Building a better chemical factory—out of microbes

  Professor Kristala Jones Prather ’94 has made it practical to turn microbes into efficient producers of desired chemicals. She’s also working to reduce our dependence on petroleum.
• Categorized in Feature Story

  The pain switch

  Professor Fan Wang’s research is zeroing in on brain circuits that control the perception of pain. Her work could one day make it possible to manage pain without opioids.
• Categorized in Feature Story

  Jump-starting MIT’s startup culture

  For decades, MIT kept its distance from local high-tech
  startups. In this excerpt from his new book, From the Basement to the Dome, Jean-Jacques Degroof chronicles how alumni and students took it upon themselves to kindle an interest in starting companies
• Categorized in From the president

  Facing a difficult history

  Francis Amasa Walker, MIT’s third president, played a key role in advancing the American reservation system. The Institute is now grappling with his complicated legacy.
• Categorized in 77 Mass Ave

  Multifunction masks

  Tiny sensors embedded in face coverings and other wearable items can diagnose covid-19 and detect other threats.
• Categorized in 77 Mass Ave

  The world in a mug

  Stored in DNA, all the world’s data could fit in a coffee cup. The trick is finding the file you need.
• Categorized in 77 Mass Ave

  Nobles is MIT’s new chancellor

  The political scientist and SHASS dean will now oversee student life.
• Categorized in 77 Mass Ave

  Power-grab particles

  Particles made from crushed nanotubes can create a current by interacting with an organic solvent.
• Categorized in 77 Mass Ave

  No sweat

  A perspiration-proof skin patch can monitor health over time.

• Have an idea for a great MIT story?

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