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Picower Research & Discoveries
Gallery: Two decades of discoveries
By our count, Picower Institute labs have published more than 1,000 papers between 2002 and today. What have they found? We've compiled a gallery of highlights, organized into broad arcs of work that often encompass many studies (though it's by no means comprehensive!). Explore to learn more about what Picower researchers have discovered in 20 years of studying learning, memory and related brain functions in health and disease. Story continues>>
How the brain responds to surprising events
The structure of the two locus coeruleus nuclei, one for each brain hemisphere, appears in green. Image by Gabi Drummond
Unexpected outcomes trigger release of noradrenaline, which helps the brain focus its attention and learn from the event
When your brain needs you to pay attention to something important, one way it can do that is to send out a burst of noradrenaline, according to a new MIT study. This neuromodulator, produced by a structure deep in the brain called the locus coeruleus, can have widespread effects throughout the brain. In a study of mice, the MIT team found that one key role of noradrenaline, also known as norepinephrine, is to help the brain learn from surprising outcomes. Story continues>>
New findings reveal how neurons build and maintain their capacity to communicate
The more scientists knocked down a protein called alpha2delta with different manipulations (right two columns), the less Cac calcium channel accrued in synaptic active zones of a fly neuron (brightness and number of green dots) compared to unaltered controls (left column).
Nerve cells regulate and routinely refresh the collection of calcium channels that enable them to send messages across circuit connections
The nervous system works because neurons communicate across connections called synapses. They “talk” when calcium ions flow through channels into “active zones” that are loaded with vesicles carrying molecular messages. The electrically charged calcium causes vesicles to “fuse” to the outer membrane of presynaptic neurons, releasing their communicative chemical cargo to the postsynaptic cell. In a new study, scientists at The Picower Institute provide several revelations about how neurons set up and sustain this vital infrastructure. Story continues>>
NIH award to help Heiman unearth roots of Huntington’s pathology
Cells labeled for analysis with TRAP technology.
Research Program Award will fund studies to find early triggers of disease progression
The complexity of understanding and treating Huntington’s disease, a fatal neurodegenerative disorder, is not in the cause. Instead, what confounds scientists is how and when the well known mutation of the Huntingtin gene sets off cascades of destruction deep within the brain. To better understand disease emergence and therefore find earlier targets for therapeutic intervention, Associate Professor Myriam Heiman will use a major new award from the National Institutes of Health to use highly sensitive measures of gene expression early in the disease progression in mouse models. Story continues>>
Picower People
For high schoolers, summer starts with extra exposure to biomedical science
A group of students from Lawrence High School listens to Bear Lab graduate student Max Heinrich (white tee shirt) describe his autism research.
Just before school was out for summer, high school students from Everett and Lawrence toured life sciences research labs at MIT to get information and inspiration
On June 21, their last day of school, 17 high school students from Lawrence did not have to come tour life sciences research labs around MIT. They were just eager to seize the opportunity, provided by their school and The Picower Institute, to learn more about science and medicine. It was the same for another 20 Everett High School students in the SEED Pathway program who opted for a morning full of exposure to cutting edge research to build a foundation of understanding about possible science careers. Story continues>>
In the media
Upcoming Events
A note about events: Amid the ongoing uncertainties imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, our event schedule and details of each event are subject to change. Please check associated links frequently in advance of events that interest you.
Register now: Two Decades of Picower Discovery & Impact
All this year we are celebrating a huge milestone: The 20th Anniversary of the gift from Barbara and Jeffry Picower that made us The Picower Institute. Register Now to tune in September 22 for our 20th Anniversary Exhibition "Two Decades of Picower Discovery & Impact."
Black In Neuro Week: July 25-31
MIT's brain research community, including The Picower Institute, sponsors Black In Neuro, a non-profit organization whose mission is to diversify the neurosciences by building a community that celebrates and empowers Black scholars and professionals in neuroscience-related fields. During Black in Neuro Week July 25-31 participate in community programming discussing science, professional development, networking, and Black joy. Learn more and register here.
