At MIT, interdisciplinary collaboration in life sciences and engineering is thriving. Recently, the Institute launched a groundbreaking initiative called the MIT Health and Life Sciences Collaborative, or MIT HEALS, aimed at enhancing these partnerships to tackle some of the most pressing health challenges globally.
MIT HEALS seeks to unite researchers across the Institute to discover innovative solutions in healthcare by leveraging MIT’s expertise in life sciences, artificial intelligence, and chemical and biological engineering. This initiative is poised to significantly advance patient care and medical research.
“MIT is unparalleled when it comes to generating new knowledge, developing tools, cures, and fostering the innovations that will define the future of biomedicine and healthcare,” stated MIT President Sally Kornbluth during the launch event held last Wednesday at Kresge Auditorium. “Our objective with MIT HEALS is to motivate, expedite, and deliver large-scale solutions to society’s most urgent health issues.”
The launch day served as both a reflection on MIT’s historical contributions to life sciences and a glimpse into the future ambitions of this new collaborative effort.
“The talent gathered here has achieved remarkable milestones. Yet, more importantly, you embody vast creative potential for even greater influence,” Kornbluth emphasized.
In her address, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, underscoring that “MIT’s leadership and the work being done is more crucial than ever.” She added, “As governor, I cherish the opportunity to witness so many accomplished scientists and innovators come together to commit to enhancing human life. The possibility of groundbreaking cures, treatments, and discoveries arising from this collaboration is truly thrilling. I believe this unique ecosystem can only thrive in Massachusetts, and it is essential we protect and nurture it.”
A Legacy of Impact
MIT has a rich history in advancing life sciences, as highlighted by MIT Institute Professor Phillip Sharp in his keynote speech. Fifty years ago, the Center for Cancer Research was established under the direction of Salvador Luria, a molecular biologist and Nobel laureate. This center played a pivotal role in the revolutions of molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology, greatly influencing human health outcomes. MIT Professor Robert Weinberg’s research on cancer genes has contributed to the development of targeted cancer therapies like Herceptin and Gleevec.
In 2007, that pioneering center evolved into the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, where faculty members now work collaboratively across the School of Science and the School of Engineering.
While MIT has consistently pushed the boundaries of collaborative health research, recent recommendations from MIT’s visiting committees pointed to an opportunity to amplify these efforts further. “There’s a strong desire among faculty to collaborate, not just within departments but across the entire spectrum of disciplines, including partnerships with hospitals and the biotech industry,” noted Nergis Mavalvala, dean of the School of Science.
To investigate how MIT could enhance interdisciplinary research, Mavalvala and Anantha Chandrakasan, the School of Engineering dean, established the VITALS committee (Vision to Integrate, Translate and Advance Life Sciences), co-chaired by Tyler Jacks and Kristala Jones Prather.
“We discovered that many faculty members felt they could achieve more if there were better opportunities for interaction and collaboration,” stated Jacks. “While MIT has a collaborative atmosphere, additional infrastructure could greatly facilitate the formation of new partnerships and the funding of joint projects.”
The initiatives under MIT HEALS build upon existing frameworks that encourage collaborative work, including the Koch Institute, the McGovern Institute for Brain Research, and the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory.
Fostering Scientific Advancement
During the opening remarks, Kornbluth introduced several new programs aimed at supporting life sciences researchers and promoting connections among faculty, local hospitals, and companies in Kendall Square.
“Supporting, mentoring, and connecting the brightest minds throughout their careers is a vital part of MIT HEALS,” she stated.
With generous funding from Noubar Afeyan, an MIT Corporation executive and CEO of Flagship Pioneering, MIT HEALS will offer fellowships for graduate students pursuing innovative directions in life sciences.
An important aspect of MIT HEALS is the new Hood Pediatric Innovation Hub, dedicated to developing medical treatments specifically designed for children. This initiative, backed by the Charles H. Hood Foundation, will be overseen by Elazer Edelman, a cardiologist and MIT’s Edward J. Poitras Professor in Medical Engineering and Science.
“Currently, medical innovations mainly focus on adults since that’s where the financial incentives lie. Consequently, children often receive therapies that are simply smaller versions of adult treatments, failing to meet their specific needs,” highlighted Kornbluth.
Additionally, MIT HEALS will initiate the MIT-MGB Seed Program, which will support joint research projects between MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital/Brigham and Women’s Hospital, funded by Analog Devices. The Biswas Family Foundation will also contribute funding for postdoctoral fellows engaged in collaborative health sciences research.
Mavalvala highlighted the pivotal role of students and postdocs in cross-disciplinary initiatives, noting their ability to adapt and learn new techniques across different laboratories.
Potential Catalysts for Change
Insights from the VITALS committee pointed to seven key research areas ripe for innovative breakthroughs: AI in life sciences, affordable diagnostics, mental health, environmental life science, food and agriculture, future public health and healthcare, and women’s health. However, Chandrakasan emphasized that HEALS will remain open to exploring other impactful research domains.
“We envision a grassroots approach,” he explained. “While certain topics like AI and life sciences will be prioritized, we look forward to discovering unexpected innovative paths as well.”
The launch event included panels where faculty members showcased their research across various topics, from the biosphere to immunology and artificial intelligence. The program, coordinated by Amy Keating and Katharina Ribbeck, also featured a spoken-word performance by MIT senior Victory Yinka-Banjo, who called for broader perspectives and collective action.
“At MIT, we are all part of a movement towards infinite impact. It’s crucial to look beyond individual projects and embrace a larger vision for our contributions, especially in the wake of global challenges like pandemics,” she urged.
During a “Revolutions” panel, Douglas Lauffenburger, a pioneer in MIT’s Department of Biological Engineering, remarked on the longstanding tradition of engineers innovating within medicine, leading to essential advancements in technologies such as dialysis and imaging.
Since its inception in 1998, MIT’s biological engineering program has evolved substantially, driven by the aim of melding biology with treatment development based on molecular biology and genomics. Lauffenburger noted how earlier revolutions in these fields laid the groundwork for contemporary engineering practices.
During this session, Jacks and Ruth Lehmann revealed several interdisciplinary projects underway, including using AI for early cancer detection through mammogram analysis, engineering drought-resistant crops, and deploying CRISPR to identify genes responsible for toxoplasmosis infections.
These initiatives highlight the transformative potential when “basic science intersects with translational science,” continued Lehmann, who also expressed optimism for the future collaborations fostered by HEALS.
Team Collaboration and Future Directions
To stimulate cooperation among faculty and students, HEALS will host a series of workshops focusing on various health topics. A dedicated faculty committee is currently seeking a director for HEALS to oversee these initiatives.
Another significant objective of this initiative is to strengthen partnerships with local hospitals and biotech organizations. “Collaboration comes in many forms,” remarked Anne Klibanski, CEO of Mass General Brigham. “What truly drives innovation is uniting the right people around a specific challenge.”
Robert Langer, an Institute Professor at MIT, emphasized the importance of addressing fundamental challenges even when the outcomes remain uncertain. Trained as a chemical engineer, Langer shifted toward biomedical research in the 1970s, long before mRNA technology gained recognition during the pandemic.
He recounted how he collaborated with Judah Folkman at Boston Children’s Hospital, pioneering the concept of using drugs to starve tumors. “Many years passed before these ideas materialized into treatments, illustrating the collaborative effort required in scientific progress,” Langer reflected.
Ultimately, Langer underscored the essence of teamwork in navigating the uncertainty of research directions, indicating the collective journey that leads to breakthroughs in health and medicine.
Photo credit & article inspired by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
