Li-Huei Tsai stands at a podium embossed with an MIT logo. In the foreground is an attentive audience. In the background is the Picower Institute logo
March 11, 2026
After 16+ years leading Picower Institute, Li-Huei Tsai will sharpen focus on research, teaching
Two panels show blue cells surrounded by thin green outlines. The outlines are much more consistent and prevalent in the image on the left, which is labeled as the wild type, than on the right which is labeled Rett syndrome.
February 25, 2026
In Rett syndrome, leaky brain blood vessels traced to microRNA
a series of small blocky spots of color appear in the aggregate to make up the shape of a worm as it stretches horizonally across a black background
February 24, 2026
As worms and jellyfish wriggle, new AI tools track their neurons
Linlin Fan stands in her lab with microscope equipment in the foreground.
February 17, 2026
Sloan Fellowship will help Fan advance technology to study how brain circuits change amid learning
Wearing white lab coats in the lab, Mark Bear stands behind Sara Kornfeld-Sylla as she sits in a stool at a lab bench
February 11, 2026
Fragile X study uncovers brainwave biomarker bridging humans and mice

Study reveals how glial cells may play key epilepsy role

April 30, 2019
Research findings
Mutation in disease model flies undermines maintenance of key ion balance

Alumnus gives MIT $4.5 million to establish the Broderick Fund for Phytocannabinoid Research

April 30, 2019
New Research
Gifts to MIT and Harvard Medical School totaling $9 million will fund independent research on cannabinoid’s influence on brain health and behavior

Deep stimulation improves cognitive control by augmenting brain rhythms

April 4, 2019
Research Findings
Finding could improve development of personalized psychiatric treatments

Alana gift to MIT launches Down syndrome research center, technology program for disabilities

March 20, 2019
New Research Center
Foundation’s $28.6 million gift will fund science, innovation, education to advance understanding, ability, inclusion.

"What do I most like to tell people about the brain?"

March 17, 2019
Brain Awareness Week 2019
Picower researchers mark Brain Awareness Week 2019

Brain wave stimulation may improve Alzheimer’s symptoms

March 14, 2019
Research findings
Noninvasive treatment can improve Alzheimer’s symptoms such as memory loss and amyloid plaque buildup in mice.

Blending big data and benchtop biology, Tsai and Kellis labs tackle brain diseases

February 21, 2019
News Feature
With new grants, collaboration will take on new questions of dementia

New faculty member studies immune system effect on the brain

February 20, 2019
Picower People
Gloria Choi's research has connected maternal infection with neurodevelopmental disorders

NSF ‘CAREER’ award helps fund Flavell lab study of behavioral states

February 12, 2019
Picower People
Research will probe how states like sleep emerge and are sustained

Nedivi named to new professorship

February 7, 2019
Picower People
Elly Nedivi is the inaugural William R. (1964) & Linda R. Young Professor of Neuroscience

Tsai earns Hans Wigzell Research Foundation Science Prize

January 23, 2019
Picower People
Award recognizes Alzheimer's disease research

Study finds the circuits that may help you keep your cool

January 14, 2019
Research findings
Prefrontal cortex may be able to regulate arousal in locus coreuleus