Research – MIT Department of Chemistry

At left, the makeup of a vaccine particle, which shows a labeled glycan, peptide, and SSRNA. At right, a dendritic cell with the vaccine elicits T cell activation and immune response

A new way to reprogram immune cells and direct them toward anti-tumor immunity

MIT scientists’ discovery yields a potent immune response, could be used to develop a potential tumor vaccine.

Yogesh Surendranath stands in front of Building 18 on the MIT Campus.

Surendranath named 2024 Blavatnik Award Finalist

The Blavatnik Family Foundation has announced the Finalists for the World’s Largest Unrestricted Prizes to Early Career Scientists.

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Professor Jeremiah Johnson smiles in a hallway.

Johnson Awarded Yosemite-American Cancer Society Grant

The Yosemite-American Cancer Society Award grantees are developing research projects to advance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.

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Griffin wins 2024 International Zavoisky Award

This prestigious award is given in recognition of outstanding applications or developments of electron paramagnetic resonance in any field of science.

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MIT chemists explain why dinosaur collagen may have survived for millions of years

The researchers identified an atomic-level interaction that prevents peptide bonds from being broken down by water.

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Engineering proteins to treat cancer

PhD student Oscar Molina seeks new ways to assemble proteins into targeted cancer therapies, while encouraging his fellow first-generation graduate students.

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Catherine Hazard smiles in a sunny vineyard.

Graduate Student Spotlight: Catherine Hazard

Chemistry Graduate Student Catherine Hazard describes her research and answers 20 random questions as part of the Graduate Student Spotlight series.

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Gabi Wenzel smiles in front of laboratory.

Postdoctoral Researcher Spotlight: Gabi Wenzel

Postdoctoral Researcher Dr. Gabi Wenzel describes her research and answers 20 random questions.

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The four participants of the 2024 Future Faculty Symposium smile in front of a green glass sculptural installation of the periodic table of elements.

Department of Chemistry hosts the Third Annual Future Faculty Symposium

The event showcased the research of early-career scientists who are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM.

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Photo-collage shows a large molecule over an aerial photo of New Calendonia. On the left are five Psychotria leaves in a vertical line.

MIT chemists synthesize plant-derived molecules that hold potential as pharmaceuticals

Large multi-ring-containing molecules known as oligocyclotryptamines have never been produced in the lab until now.

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Associate Professor Alex Shalek (left) is seen in his E25 lab at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Thu., July 14, 2022. Shalek is the Pfizer-Laubach Career Development Associate Professor at MIT, a Core Member of the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES), an Associate Professor of Chemistry, an Extramural Member of The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, an Institute Member of the Broad Institute, an Associate Member of the Ragon Institute, an Assistant in Immunology at MGH, and an Instructor in Health Sciences and Technology at HMS. According to his MIT bio, Shalek's research "is directed towards the creation and implementation of new approaches to elucidate cellular and molecular features that inform tissue-level function and dysfunction across the spectrum of human health and disease."

Alex Shalek named director of the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science

Professor who uses a cross-disciplinary approach to understand human diseases on a molecular and cellular level succeeds Elazer Edelman.

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David Kastner holds two posters of journal covers showing his 3D art. The titles are “ACS Catalysis” and “Journal of Physical Chemistry.”

The art of the enzyme

Bioengineer and artist David Kastner seeks to unlock the secrets of catalysis and improve science communication through eye-catching visuals.

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Reuben Allen wears protective eyewear and smiles in the lab.

Graduate Student Spotlight: Reuben Allen

Chemistry Graduate Student Reuben Allen describes his research and answers 20 random questions as part of the Graduate Student Spotlight series.

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