Health & Life Sciences

Health & Life Sciences

Moving technologies from the lab to the clinic

At MIT, engineers work side by side with scientists, clinicians, and industry leaders to tackle some of the most complex challenges in human health. Together, they’re advancing breakthroughs in health and life sciences — developing smart diagnostics and medical devices, reimagining drug delivery, and shaping data-driven care.

A new lipid nanoparticle developed at MIT could make mRNA vaccines more powerful and potentially lower the cost per vaccine dose.

Particles that enhance mRNA delivery could reduce vaccine dosage and costs

11.07.25
MIT researchers invented a 3D human brain tissue culture composed of all six major cell types. Each type is independently cultured from induced pluripotent stem cells of a donor, enabling personalized brain models. Combined, the cells in miBrain cultures recapitulate basic features of brain physiology and function and can be genetically engineered to study diseases such as Alzheimer's.

MIT researchers invent new human brain model to enable disease research, drug discovery

11.05.25
In a new study, a team of MIT biological engineers have identified several possible antigens that could be developed as a new vaccine for TB, the world’s deadliest infectious disease.

MIT study finds targets for a new tuberculosis vaccine

11.05.25

Faculty Spotlights

A woman with blonde hair, wearing a navy blue and white patterned dress, stands smiling in a bright laboratory filled with scientific equipment, supplies, and shelves in the background.

Ellen Roche

Abby Rockefeller Mauzé Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Associate Department Head for Research

MIT News
A woman wearing a black hijab and dark clothing is smiling slightly, looking off-camera. She is standing in front of large green leafy plants.

Marzyeh Ghassemi

Associate Professor

MIT News
A man with wavy dark hair and glasses smiles while wearing a dark blazer and light blue shirt, seated indoors with a blurred window in the background.

Giovanni Traverso

Associate Professor

MIT News

Presidential Initiative

The MIT Health and Life Sciences Collaborative (HEALS) is expanding the Institute’s role as a central hub for innovation, connectivity, and translation in life sciences and health in the Boston area. With strong connections to the MIT School of Engineering, HEALS includes programs such as the Hood Pediatric Innovation Hub, the MIT-MGB Seed Fund, the Fairbairn Menstruation Science Fund, and the MIT Health Science and Semiconductors Program.

MIT HEALS

Related Labs, Centers, and Programs

Departments working on Health and Life Sciences

BE

Course 20

Biological Engineering

Biological engineers integrate the inherent capabilities of biological systems with engineering approaches to develop solutions to global challenges.

Careers

  • Bio-engineer / Scientist
  • Founder
  • Medical Doctor
  • Consultant

IMES

Institute for Medical Engineering and Science

IMES accelerates innovation in human health by integrating, nurturing, and translating MIT’s strengths in science and technology, medicine and physiology, clinical and translational research, and entrepreneurship.

Careers

  • Academic Research/Faculty
  • Biotechnology
  • Consulting & Venture Capital
  • Medical Devices
  • Public Health & Policy

ChemE

Course 10

Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering takes the chemical principles governing the world around us and applies them to solve real and pressing problems in society. Intimately linked with the fundamental subjects of chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics — and in close collaboration with fellow engineering disciplines like materials science, computer science, and mechanical, electrical, and civil and environmental engineering — chemical engineering offers unparalleled opportunities to do great things.

Careers

  • Clean energy and sustainability
  • Pharma and Biotech
  • Tech, Data & AI-driven engineering
  • Manufacturing and operations leadership
  • Consulting and Entrepreneurship

MechE

Course 2

Mechanical Engineering

MechE educates future leaders to model, design, and innovate with passion, creativity, and humor and develop creative products and solutions that make the world a better place.

Careers

  • Engineer
  • Consultant
  • Entrepreneur

DMSE

Course 3

Materials Science and Engineering

DMSE brings together engineering, physics, and chemistry to understand and design materials that tackle real-world challenges in energy, health, computing, and more.

Careers

  • Computational scientist
  • Materials engineer
  • Entrepreneur
  • Data scientist/analyst
  • Professor

EECS

Course 6

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Covering the full range of computer, information and energy systems, EECS brings the world’s most brilliant faculty and students together to innovate and explore.

Careers

  • Engineer
  • Scientist
  • Researcher

Giovanni Traverso creates innovative health solutions – and, as both a physician and an engineer, he brings a unique perspective.

Ask an Engineer about Health and Life Sciences