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Picower Research & Discoveries
Molecule reduces inflammation in Alzheimer’s models
A potential new Alzheimer’s drug represses the harmful inflammatory response of the brain’s immune cells, reducing disease pathology, preserving neurons and improving cognition in preclinical tests
Though drug developers have achieved some progress in treating Alzheimer’s disease with medicines that reduce amyloid-beta protein, other problems of the disease including inflammation continue unchecked. In a new study, scientists at The Picower Institute describe a candidate drug that in human cell cultures and Alzheimer’s mouse models reduced inflammation, preserved neurons, and improved memory. Story continues>>
Study finds that tracking brain waves could reduce post-op complications
Distinctive EEG patterns indicate when a patient’s state of unconsciousness under general anesthesia is more profound than necessary
A new study from MIT, in which the researchers analyzed the EEG patterns of patients under general anesthesia, has revealed brain wave signatures that could help anesthesiologists determine when patients are transitioning into a deeper state of unconsciousness called "burst suppression." This could enable them to prevent patients from falling into that state, reducing the risk of postoperative brain dysfunction. Story continues>>
Cracking the code that relates brain and behavior in a simple animal
MIT researchers model and map how neurons across the tiny brain of a C. elegans worm encode its behaviors, revealing many new insights about the robustness and flexibility of its nervous system.
To understand the full relationship between brain activity and behavior, scientists have needed a way to map this relationship for all of the neurons across a whole brain—a so far insurmountable challenge. But after inventing new technologies and methods for the purpose, a team of scientists in The Picower Institute has produced a rigorous accounting of the neurons in the tractably tiny brain of a humble C. elegans worm, mapping out how its brain cells encode essential behaviors. Story continues>>
Study connects neural gene expression differences to functional distinctions
Researchers compared a pair of superficially similar motor neurons in fruit flies to examine how their differing use of the same genome produced distinctions in form and function
Figuring out how hundreds of different kinds of brain cells develop from their unique expression of thousands of genes promises to not only advance understanding of how the brain works in health, but also what goes wrong in disease. A new MIT study that precisely probes this “molecular logic” in two neuron types of the Drosophila fruit fly, shows that even similar cells push and pull many levers to develop distinct functions. Story continues>>
Picower People
Summer research opportunity can be a springboard to advanced studies
The paths three graduate students forged to the same Picower Institute lab illustrate the value of participating in the MIT Summer Research Program in Biology and Neuroscience
Doctoral studies at MIT aren’t a calling for everyone, but they can be for anyone who has had opportunities to discover that science and technology research is their passion and to build the experience and skills to succeed. For Taylor Baum, Josefina Correa Menéndez and Karla Alejandra Montejo, three graduate students in just one lab of The Picower Institute, a pivotal opportunity came via the MIT Summer Research Program in Biology and Neuroscience (MSRP BIO). When a student finds MSRP BIO, it helps them find their future in research. Story continues>>
Picower posters: MSRP students show off their summer studies
Congratulations to eight students from colleges all over the country who spent the summer in Picower Institute labs doing research and becoming part of our community. Their hard work in the MSRP BIO program culminated in a bustling poster session Aug. 10.
Top - Ceclila Alvarez of California State University, Bottom - Reza Kazemi of Florida International University.
Top - TrishaJean Holt of Liberty University, Bottom - Payton Dupuis of Montana State University
Top - Juan Padilla La Llave of University of Puerto Rico, Bottom- Ana Vargas Virella of Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
Top - Thomas Silva of Florida International University, Bottom - Kayla Quinlan of Wellesley College.
In the media
The Flavell lab's work to comprehensively link brain and behavior gained notice in Scientific American and also at ExtremeTech. Flavell also recently discussed his prior paper on serotonin with the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.'s Quirks & Quarks podcast.
The Tsai Lab's work to discover a drug that curbs inflammation in Alzheimer's earned coverage from Medical News Today as well as New Atlas and Fierce Biotech. Older research by the Tsai's Lab was also mentioned in this Interesting Engineering story about gene expression and longevity. Earl Miller's recent studies examining how the brain uses electric fields to coordinate neural circuits was covered in Tech Explorist.
Alumnus-turned-filmmaker featured in Variety
Performing memory research at The Picower Institute isn’t a typical pathway to the pages of Variety, the venerable chronicle of all things Hollywood, but Tonegawa Lab alumnus Alex Rivest, who earned his neuroscience PhD at MIT in 2010, is no stranger to unusual paths and places. A scientist-turned-science-communicator, Rivest earned the magazine’s mention by co-directing the new documentary CANARY, which features the adventurous work of a climate scientist studying glaciers at the top of some of the world’s highest mountains. Rivest and his crew worked as high as 18,000 feet to make the film which debuts around the country this month. Read more in Variety>>
Alex Rivest
Tune into Mi Última Neurona
Earlier this year, Jessica Chomik-Morales, a post-bacc researcher in MIT's Brain and Cognitive Sciences Department, embarked on a five-week journey across seven countries in Latin America. Her mission: to delve into and showcase the remarkable research of Hispanic and Latinx scientists in the region. This endeavor constitutes the third season of her podcast "Mi Última Neurona," produced in Spanish and co-sponsored by The Picower Institute. This season premieres September 18th on YouTube, following two successful seasons available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and miultimaneurona.com.
Upcoming Events
A note about events: Event schedules and details are subject to change. Please check associated links frequently in advance of events that interest you.
Save the date : Oct. 23, 2023
Cutting Edge Approaches to Studying the Aging Brain
Fall Symposium speakers include:
- Peter Dedon, MIT Biological Engineering
- Ann Graybiel, MIT Brain and Cognitive Sciences
- Thomas Heldt, MIT Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (EECS)
- Maiken Nedergaard, University of Rochester Center for Translational Neuromedicine and Dept of Neurosurgery
- Ritu Raman, MIT Mechanical Engineering
Save the Date: Dec. 11, 2023
The 2023 Picower Lecture with Catherine Dulac, HHMI, Harvard University
Upcoming colloquia and Aging Brain Initiative seminars
- October 12: Colloquium on the Brain and Cognition with David Freedman, University of Chicago More>>
- November 7: Aging Brain Seminar with Julia TCW, Boston University More>>
- November 30: Colloquium on the Brain and Cognition with Jennifer Li & Drew Robson, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics More>>
