News

Cutting-edge microparticles can deliver two cancer treatments at once
November 2, 2024
New MIT dual-therapy microparticles deliver chemotherapy and heat, eliminating tumors in mice and potentially extending patient lifespan…

Implantable microparticles can deliver two cancer therapies at once
November 1, 2024
Researchers designed tiny particles that can be implanted at a cancer tumor site, where they deliver two types of therapy: heat and chemotherapy…

Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment: Implantable Microparticles Deliver Dual Therapies Simultaneously
November 1, 2024
Patients with late-stage cancer often have to endure multiple rounds of different types of treatment, which can cause unwanted side effects and may not always help….

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Highlights Implantable Microparticles
October 29, 2024
MIT researchers have designed microparticles that can deliver phototherapy to tumors, along with chemotherapy drugs. At bottom left are particles that carry the drug doxorubicin, and at top right are…

Implantable microparticles can deliver two cancer therapies at once
October 28, 2024
The combination of phototherapy and chemotherapy could offer a more effective way to fight aggressive tumors….

Manuscript Published in ACS Nano
October 27, 2024
Multimodal cancer therapies are often required for progressive cancers due to the high persistence and mortality of the disease and the…

Linzixuan Rhoda Zhang & Nutrient-Stabilizing Materials Wins!
October 25, 2024
Linzixuan Rhoda Zhang wins the Graduate Student …

CRISPR Review Article Published in Nature
October 16, 2024
CRISPR–Cas9 genome editing technology is a promising tool for genetically engineering immune cells and modulating immune systems…

Jinbi Tian named as a 2025 Siebel Scholar
October 8, 2024
Graduate Student, Jinbi Tian, was named a 2025 MIT Computer Science Siebel Scholar! …

Linzixuan Rhoda Zhang Selected as a Finalist for the 2024 Collegiate Inventors Competition
October 3, 2024
Chemical Engineering, Graduate Student, Linzixuan Rhoda Zhang was…

Dr. Jaklenec Welcomed as a new Associate Editor to ACS Nano
August 20, 2024
We are pleased to welcome two new Associate Editors to ACS Nano: Dr. Ana Jaklenec, a principal research scientist and principal investigator at the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT…

Amy Lee Elected as the 2024/25 MIT PDA Advocacy Committee Chair
August 6, 2024
We are pleased to welcome two new Associate Editors to ACS Nano: Dr. Ana Jaklenec, a principal research scientist and principal investigator at the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT…

Microparticles Safeguard vVtamins and Information
July 9, 2024
Jaklenec and Langer teamed up with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to work on a strategy to fight malnutrition, which affects more than 735 million people worldwide…

Erika Wang Wins Student and Young Investigator (SYIS) Scientific Excellence Award

June 16, 2024
Postdoc, Erika Wang, was awarded the Student and Young Investigator (SYIS) Scientific Excellence Award at the TERMIS World Congress recognizing her top-rated abstract submission on drug delivery!

Jaklenec Group Honored at The 2024 Koch Institute Image Awards

June 11, 2024
Award-winning KI Images creators Jooli Han and Linzixuan (Rhoda) Zhang present on their image, “The Golden Monument: New Heights for Global Health.” Jaklenec and Langer Lab technologies can administer multiple vaccine doses with a…

The Jaklenec Group Presents at the First-ever AIMBE Regional Event

June 3, 2024
The Jaklenec Group attended the first-ever AIMBE Regional Event hosted by Boston University! Local fellows showcased innovations from BU, Harvard, MIT, Northeastern, and Tufts. Dr. Ana Jaklenec and P.h.D. student, Rhoda Zhang, presented new possibilities and equity…

MIT Scientists Enhance Vaccines with Novel Nanoparticles

March 8, 2024
Numerous vaccines, such as those for whooping cough and hepatitis B, contain bits of bacterial or viral proteins. These vaccines also often contain adjuvants, which are molecules that help enhance the response of the immune system to the…

New nanoparticle to deliver vaccines and generate strong immune responses at lower dose

March 8, 2024
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have revealed that a new type of nanoparticle could be used to improve the delivery and immune responses of vaccines…

Revolutionizing Vaccines MOFs as Dual-Action Nanoparticles for Enhanced Immunity

March 7, 2024
In a landmark breakthrough, scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have unveiled a pioneering approach to vaccine development with the potential to reshape the landscape of preventive medicine…

MIT researchers are using new nanoparticles to improve vaccines

March 7, 2024
Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks boost SARS-CoV-2 spike protein trimer immunity via Toll-like receptor activation…

MIT scientists use a new type of nanoparticle to make vaccines more powerful

March 6, 2024
Study shows metal-organic particles can both deliver vaccines and act as an adjuvant to generate a strong immune response at a lower dose…

MIT’s metal-organic nanoparticles boost vaccine efficacy, delivery

March 6, 2024
Vaccines are one of the best scientific discoveries because they prevent the incidence of some of the deadliest diseases. The medical field has been using them to prevent smallpox, tuberculosis, and even cancer. A recent study…

MIT Researchers Pioneer a Nanoparticle Revolution for Next-Gen Vaccines

March 6, 2024
In the heart of Cambridge, Massachusetts, a groundbreaking discovery has emerged from the laboratories of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). A team of scientists, driven by curiosity and an unyielding commitment to public health, has unlocked a new…

ZIF Research Published in Science Advances!

March 6, 2024
Nanomaterials offer unique opportunities to engineer immunomodulatory activity. In this work, we report the Toll-like receptor agonist activity of a nanoscale adjuvant zeolitic imidazolate framework–8 (ZIF-8)…

Metal-Organic Nanoparticles Enable Better Vaccine Delivery, Stronger Immune Response

March 6, 2024
Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and elsewhere have published a paper in Science Advances that describes a type of nanoparticle for delivering vaccines called a metal organic…

NAI names fellows

March 4, 2024
The National Academy of Inventors recently announced its 2023 class of fellows, which includes four American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Members: Ana Jaklenec…

Our Research Article on On-Patient Temporary Medical Record Published

January 5, 2024
Accurate medical recordkeeping is important for personal and public health. Conventional forms of on-patient medical information may compromise patient privacy because they are readily visible to other people. Here, the development of an invisible, temporary, and easily deployable…

MIT Koch Institute Researcher Ana Jaklenec, plus 11 MIT Alumni, Honored for Inventions

January 4, 2024
The highest professional distinction accorded solely to academic inventors, election to the NAI recognizes individuals who have created or facilitated outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development, and the…

Tiny Technologies in Washington Featured, Again

January 2, 2024
On Nov. 7, a team from the Marble Center for Cancer Nanomedicine at MIT showed a Washington audience, inlcuding President Joe Biden, several examples of how nanotechnologies developed at the Institute can transform the detection and treatment of cancer…

Dr. Ana Jaklenec featured in (CRS) Newsletter “Tech Update”

December 22, 2023
Dr. Ana Jaklenec featured in the December 2023 Controlled Release Society’s (CRS) Newsletter “Tech Update”… 

The group’s review of “The role of engineered materials in mucosal vaccination strategies” published in Nature

December 18, 2023
More than 90% of pathogens enter the body through mucosal sites. Mucosal pathogens have the potential to cause epidemics, and their threat to public health is exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has also highlighted the critical…

Ana Jaklenec Elected to the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Fellows Class of 2023

December 13, 2023
The highest professional distinction accorded solely to academic inventors, election to the NAI recognizes individuals who have created or facilitated outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society…

MIT’s Tiny Technologies Visit the White House

December 8, 2023
On November 7, a team from the Marble Center for Cancer Nanomedicine, including our very own principal research scientist, Ana Jaklenec, and postdoc, Jooli Han, showed a Washington D.C. audience several examples of how nanotechnologies developed at MIT can…

Our Review on Nano- and Micro-scale Carrier Systems Published in Biomaterials

October 31, 2023
Vaccines provide substantial safety against infectious diseases, saving millions of lives each year. However, the delivery of vaccines imposes a unique set of challenges due to their large molecular size and low room temperature stability…

Edible Microparticles: A Revolutionary Solution to Global Vitamin A Deficiency

October 27, 2023
Vitamin A deficiency impacts millions globally. Directly adding it to foods is problematic due to its sensitivity to light and heat. We’ve created an edible microparticle ensuring safe vitamin A delivery. These microparticles are stable and offer high…

New tech 3-D prints ouchless COVID-19 vaccine patches

October 25, 2023
Our tabletop printer could make this and other vaccines more accessible across the globe…

Quanyin Hu named 2023 BMES CMBE Rising Star

October 10, 2023
Congratulations to Quanyin Hu, who was named a recipient of the 2023 Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering (CMBE) Rising Star Award for Junior Faculty. Quanyin Hu was a postdoc in the Jaklenec group from 2018-2020 and is now an…

Erika Wang Named Banting Fellow

September 28, 2023
Congratulations to Erika Wang on being named Banting Postdoctoral Fellow by the Canadian government. The highly prestigious fellowship recognizes scholars who demonstrate outstanding potential to contribute positively to Canada’s economic…

MIT Technology Review

July 11, 2023
Patches to the rescue! New techniques for delivering drugs and vaccines through the skin…

Vaccine Printer Featured Again

May 31, 2023
The Jaklenec Group’s vaccine printer could help vaccines reach more people. The conversation no one else is having…

Linzixuan (Rhoda) Zhang Wins Controlled Release Society Trainee Award

May 26, 2023
Graduate student, Linzixuan Rhoda Zhang was awarded the Controlled Release Society Trainee Award. Rhoda will present her abstract at the CRS 2023 Annual Meeting & Expo during the Oral Delivery Focus Group’s session in Las Vegas in July!

Printed Microneedle Patch Featured on Biomedical Picture of the Day, BPoD

May 23, 2023
Developing a vaccine is only half the job to saving lives – distributing it can be a real challenge. Many drugs need to be kept cool and require hypodermic needles for injection – these microneedles may change that… 

Dr. Jaklenec Featured on Canadian Podcast

May 17, 2023
Principal Research Scientist Ana Jaklenec discusses her work developing a mobile vaccine printer. The device “can be very important in certain scenarios when you’re trying to bring the ability to vaccinate in areas that might not have the right infrastructure to make vaccines…

MoriHow Features Microneedle Vaccine Printer

May 8, 2023
A new technology developed by MIT researchers can save us from potential future pandemics! Check out how with Morteza Sarmadi PhD ’22…

John Daristotle Featured in Podcast

May 2, 2023
Postdoc, John Daristotle, discusses the group’s recent work developing a mobile vaccine printer in The Agenda with Georgia Tolley… 

Our Microneedle Vaccine Printer Published Published in Nature Biotechnology

May 1, 2023
The group’s paper, “A microneedle vaccine printer for thermostable COVID-19 mRNA vaccines,” was recently published in Nature Biotechnology and more!

Dr. Ana Jaklenec’s Presentation at the March Marble Center Seminar

April 17, 2023
On Monday, March 20th, 2023, Dr. Jaklenec presented on “Engineering Delivery for Vaccines and Cancer Immunotherapy” at an open Marble Center seminar. See the recording here…

Jaklenec Group Featured at Koch Gallery for the Boston Fashion Week

February 17, 2023
Congratulations to the Jaklenec group for displaying two projects for the Boston Fashion Week where science and technology met fashion! Collaborations behind this event include 2022 Koch Image Awards, School of Fashion Design Boston, Boston Arts Academy, MIT Museum Maker Hub,…

A graduate student in our lab introduces a novel platform for nutrient delivery

November 4, 2022
A graduate student in our group, Linzixuan Rhoda Zhang, presents her PAE micronutrients project for the J-WAFS 2022 World Food Day Fellowship. 

Congratulations to Rhoda for receiving Judges’ Awards on her PAE micronutrient project

August 31, 2022
A graduate student in our group, Linzixuan Rhoda Zhang, received the Judges’ Award for Potential Impact and Judges’ Special Awards for Recognizing the Role of Nutrition in Food Security for her PAE Micronutrient project at the J-WAFS 2022 World Food Day…

Self-Boosting Vaccines Are Near At Hand

August 24, 2022
Researchers in our group have been working on “self-boosting” vaccines, and our research was highlighted in this article titled “Self-Boosting Vaccines Are Near At Hand”…

Our research on pulsatile release system was highlighted in Nature Computational Science!

August 22, 2022
A research highlight article titled “Bringing the pulsatile release system to light” was featured in Nature Computational Science…

Self-Boosting Vaccines Could Be Immunizations of the Future

August 11, 2022
What if you could receive just one shot that boosts itself whenever you need a bump in protection? Our group have developed microparticles that could be used to create self-boosting vaccines that  deliver their contents at carefully set…

Our work featured in The Economist

July 29, 2022
Few vaccines are “one-and-dones”. Boosters are usually required. Each additional dose means lower uptake and a less immunized population. But suppose you could receive all your doses at once, from a singe jab? A new paper in Science Advances…

Our self-boosting vaccine platform featured by MIT news

July 13, 2022
Next generation therapeutics require advanced drug delivery platforms with precise controrl over morphology and release kinetics. A recently developed microfabrication technique enables…

Micromolding of Thermoplastic Polymers for Direct Fabrication of Microparticles

June 29, 2022
Soft lithography provides a convenient and effective method for the fabricationof microdevices with uniform size and shape. This…

Congrats to Dr. Ana Jaklenec for being inducted to the 2022 CRS College of Fellows!

April 6, 2022
Ana Jaklenec was recently elected to the 2022 Controlled Release Society College of Fellows and will be recognized during an award ceremony at the 2022 CRS Annual Meeting & Exposition.

Congrats to Dr. Ana Jaklenec for being elected to the 2022 Class of the AIMBE College of Fellows!

February 18, 2022
The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) has announced the election of Ana Jaklenec, Research Scientist and co-Principal …

Our micronutrient delivery system featured in STAT News

March 3, 2021
Beauty at the micro-scale: MIT’s 2021 images award winners
Much of the world’s focus has been on health care at a global scale this year….

Engineered PLGA Microparticles for Long-Term, Pulsatile Release of STING Agonist for Cancer Immunotherapy

August 24, 2020
This week we profile a recent publication in Science Translational Medicine from the laboratory of Dr. Ana Jaklenec at the MIT Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research….

Helping drug-delivering particles squeeze through a syringe

July 8, 2020
MIT engineers are using computing modeling to prevent microparticles from clogging during injections.
Microparticles offer a promising way to deliver multiple doses of a drug or vaccine at once, because they can be…

Will travel be safer by 2022? BBC mentions our tech

June 22, 2020
Physicists, engineers, biologists and citizen scientists are devising new technologies and tests so we can globetrot again.
(…) Travellers would present the customs officers with an entrance visa and a vaccination record. That could…

Our particles featured in Popular Science Magazine

March 17, 2020
Medical breakthroughs turned into gorgeous images.
Medical images are crucial to saving lives. Health care experts use X-rays, ultrasounds, and more to uncover secret maladies and confirm that organ systems are…

MIT Langer Lab Featured on Podcast: Proof of Prophylaxis

January 3, 2020
Ana Jaklenec and Kevin McHugh were featured on the TomorrowScale Podcast discussing Proof of Prophylaxis…

Storing medical information below the skin’s surface

December 18, 2019
Specialized dye, delivered along with a vaccine, could enable “on-patient” storage of vaccination history.
Every year, a lack of vaccination leads to about 1.5 million preventable deaths, primarily in developing…

Microparticles could help fight malnutrition

November 13, 2019
New strategy for encapsulating nutrients makes it easier to fortify foods with iron and vitamin A.
About 2 billion people around the world suffer from deficiencies of key micronutrients such as iron…

Nanoparticle orientation offers a way to enhance drug delivery

November 5, 2019
Coating particles with “right-handed” molecules could help them penetrate cancer cells more easily.
MIT engineers have shown that they can enhance the performance of drug-delivery…

Probiotics and antibiotics create a killer combination

October 17, 2018
Delivered together, the two join forces to eradicate drug-resistant bacteria.
In the fight against drug-resistant bacteria, MIT researchers have enlisted the help of beneficial bacteria…

Study: Antiobitics, probiotics together eradicate bacteria that infect wounds

October 17, 2018
Researchers found combining antiobiotics and probiotics eradicate strains of drug-resistant bacteria that often infect wounds.
By combining antibiotics and…

Vaccination innovation

September 26, 2018
New technologies are leading the way to vaccines that work better, hurt less.
Children in developing countries often don’t receive their full set of basic vaccines, which leaves them at…

A single-injection vaccine for the polio virus

May 21, 2018
Nanoparticles could offer a new way to help eradicate the disease worldwide.
A new nanoparticle vaccine developed by MIT researchers could assist efforts to eradicate polio worldwide. The vaccine…

One vaccine injection could carry many doses

September 14, 2017
Microparticles created by new 3-D fabrication method could release drugs or vaccines long after injection.
MIT engineers have invented a new 3-D fabrication method that can generate a novel type of…

Delivering beneficial bacteria to the GI tract

September 14, 2016
Method that transports microbes through the stomach to the intestine may benefit human health.
The human digestive tract contains trillions of bacteria, many of which help digest food and fight off harmful bacteria….

A Spoonful Of Sugar Helps The Bacteria Go Down

September 14, 2016
Gel-like layers protect microbes and help them stick to your intestines.
There has never been a better time to replenish your gut flora – also known as the living microorganisms stationed in our…