Creating novel devices for cancer detection and monitoring

Early detection and monitoring is critical to mounting effective cancer treatments. The molecular differences that make cancer cells lethal when left unchecked also provide the clues for their detection, identification and visualization.

Research at the Koch Institute

The Koch Institute brings scientists and engineers together to solve the problems of cancer.  We have identified five areas of research that we believe are critical for rapid progress toward controlling cancer.

Koch Institute Public Galleries

The annual Koch Institute Image Awards were established to recognize and publicly display these extraordinary visuals. Out of nearly 100 submissions, 10 inaugural winning images were selected by an expert panel to appear in the Galleries.

A New Era in Cancer Research

MIT brings together life scientists and engineers to confront cancer.

Koch Institute Facilities

The Koch Institute is more than a building; it is a bold commitment to cross-disciplinary research that will shorten the time needed to transform new discoveries into direct benefits for patients.

Koch Institute Public Galleries

Visitors to the Koch Institute Public Galleries can explore current cancer research projects, examine striking biomedical images, hear personal reflections on cancer and cancer research and investigate the historical, geographical and scientific contexts out of which the Koch Institute emerged.

People

In creating a new era for cancer research, the Koch Institute’s greatest assets are its people. Our world renowned faculty unites leadership in multiple fields of science and engineering with a commitment to truly interdisciplinary collaboration.

People

Inside the Lab: Darrell Irvine

Learn more about the work going on in the Irvine lab, which focuses on development of drug delivery tools and new methods for analyzing cellular immune responses.

Research

5 4 3 2 1

Our research is conducted in five areas:

Cancer Immunology

Cancer Immunology

Engineering the immune system to fight cancer... more

Personalized Medicine

Personalized Medicine

Advancing personalized medicine through analysis of cancer pathways and drug resistance... more

Metastasis

Metastasis

Exploring the molecular and cellular basis of metastasis... more

Detection + Monitoring

Detection + Monitoring

Creating novel devices for cancer detection and monitoring... more

Nano-based Drugs

Nano-based Drugs

Developing nanotechnology-based cancer therapeutics... more

Support

With your support, we aim to improve the lives of cancer patients. Our expert cancer biologists and engineers work in tandem to tackle today's most challenging cancer problems and deliver solutions that lead to longer, healthier lives.

Your contributions can make a difference in the fight against cancer. We welcome your help to continue our progress.

News + Events

Samson Laboratory Finds Key Protein for Cell Death

A new study from the Samson research group may offer a new way to kill cancer cells resistant to death by apoptosis. more...

Hammond Elected to AAAS

The KI's Paula Hammond, David H. Koch Professor in Engineering, is among the newest members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. more...

KI Members Elected to AACR Academy

Tyler Jacks, H. Robert Horvitz, Phillip Sharp, and Bob Weinberg were elected to the inaugural class of Fellows of the AACR Academy, along with David Baltimore, a founding faculty member of the KI's predecessor, the MIT Center for Cancer Research.  more...

The KI at The Leading-edge of Nanomedicine

The nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems being developed at the KI are a revolutionary gateway to new, more targeted disease treatments. KI members are engineering new nanoscale therapeutic agents that selectively target and destroy cancer cells or help monitor tumor response to treatment. more...

Two KI Members Awarded New Breakthrough Prizes in Life Sciences

Robert Weinberg  and Eric Lander were among eleven scientists to receive $3 million prizes for outstanding achievements in science. They are the first recipients of the world’s richest academic prize for medicine and biology. more...

Approach

Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence

The MIT-Harvard Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence is a collaborative effort among MIT, Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Brigham and Women's Hospital. more

Making Tumors Vulnerable

Watch this animation to learn how the Bhatia lab uses nanomaterials to make tumors more susceptible to treatment. more

Sensing Cancer

Watch this animation to see how a tiny, implantable sensor developed by the Cima lab could enable continuous monitoring of cancer. more

Stopping the Spread of Cancer

Watch this animation to learn about the Gertler lab's efforts to understand and fight the deadly process of metastasis. more

Engineering the Immune System

Watch this animation to learn how the Irvine lab uses nanomaterials-based "cell backpacks" to boost the immune response to cancer. more

Cutting off Cancer's Food Supply

Watch this animation to learn how the Vander Heiden lab is working to understand and target cancer metabolism. more

Bridge Project

The Bridge Project is a collaboration between the Koch Institute and the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC), designed to bring bioengineering and clinical oncology together to solve today’s most challenging problems in cancer research and care.

with/in/sight Lecture Series

Join us for a series of evening programs that bring together diverse expert perspectives to discuss emerging cancer solutions.  Our next program, on Thursday, May 23, will focus on innovative strategies that use nanotechnology to detect cancer.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology