Zhang lab @ MIT & Broad
Biological Discovery & Engineering
Image credit to Allison Colorado (2024)
We explore and study biological diversity to understand nature and discover systems and processes that may be harnessed through bioengineering for the improvement of human well-being.
Recent Highlights
Transient hepatic reconstitution of trophic factors enhances aged immunity
December 17, 2025
Friedrich et al. show that the aged immune system can be transiently boosted by expressing a cocktail of three trophic factors in the liver. Read more in Nature.
Pooled combinatorial TF screening for hematopoietic reprogramming
September 16, 2026
Briggs et al. develop a scalable screening platform to identify combinations of transcription factors that drive cell state and fate changes. Read more in Cell Systems.
In vitro-reconstituted dArc capsids deliver gene editors to dystrophic muscle
November 4, 2026
Lash et al. engineer the Drosophila Arc capsids for in vitro assembly and packaging of mRNA and Cas9 RNPs for delivery of DMD therapies. Read more in Nature Communications.
