Molecular and Cellular

Picower Institute scientists probe the role of genes, proteins and molecules in the physiology and action of neurons and glia, including how synaptic connections change. To learn more about these or other areas of inquiry, select them under Research Topics and you'll find relevant Picower people, discoveries and events.

April 24, 2025

Picower Events

An Alana Down Syndrome Center webinar, co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, presented numerous MIT studies that all share the goal of improving health throughout life for people with trisomy 21.

April 22, 2025

Picower People

Assistant Professor Linlin Fan will apply her lab’s precise “all-optical” techniques to study how serotonin might influence plasticity in memory, and whether psychedelics affect that.

April 21, 2025

Research Findings

Clinical trial finds several outcomes improved for young children when an anesthesiologist observed their brain waves to guide dosing of sevoflurane during surgery.

February 20, 2025

Research Findings

Enhancing activity of a specific component of ‘NMDA’ receptors normalized protein synthesis, neural activity and seizure susceptibility in hippocampus of fragile X lab mice

January 3, 2025

Picower People

President Biden bestowed the nation’s highest scientific honor on Brown, fellow winners, at a White House ceremony.

December 20, 2024

Research Feature

On a biological foundation of ions and proteins, the brain forms, stores, and retrieves memories to inform intelligent behavior

November 21, 2024

Recent Events

At a symposium of the Simons Center for the Social Brain, six speakers described a diversity of recently launched studies aimed at improving understanding of the autistic brain.

November 13, 2024

Research Findings

System developed by MIT and Open Ephys team provides a fast, light, standardized means for combining multiple instruments with minimal hindrance of lab mouse mobility.

October 3, 2024

New Research

With a new Glenn Foundation Discovery Award, the Heiman Lab will study the genetic and molecular basis for the exceptional longevity of neurons in hopes of using that insight to help sustain aging cells.

September 2, 2024

Picower People

Every year members of The Picower Institute find they can explore new ideas and interactions by experiencing the change of scenery afforded by the Dana and Betty Fisher retreat

July 24, 2024

Research Findings

Genomics and lab studies reveal numerous findings, including a key role for Reelin amid neuronal vulnerability, and for choline and antioxidants in sustaining cognition.

July 8, 2024

Picower People

With an eye on implications for regenerative medicine, Assistant Professor Brady Weissbourd will use the support of being named a Searle Scholar to study how jellyfish excel at building and regenerating their neural networks.

MIT Down syndrome researchers work on ways to ensure a healthy lifespan

With Searle Scholar award, Fan will study serotonin role in memory

In kids, EEG monitoring of consciousness safely reduces anesthetic use

Study suggests new molecular strategy for treating fragile X syndrome

Emery N. Brown, innovative neuroscientist, statistician and anesthesiologist earns National Medal of Science

From Molecules to Memory

New autism research projects represent a broad range of approaches to achieving a shared goal

Open technology platform enables new versatility for neuroscience research with more naturalistic behavior

Learning the secrets of neural longevity could benefit the aging brain and body alike, research project posits

Picower retreats advance science by giving researchers a chance to step back from the lab

Study across multiple brain regions discerns Alzheimer’s vulnerability and resilience factors

Award will enable detailed study of an organism that constantly adds new neurons