Volume 53, Number 9 TechTalk Wednesday, November 19, 2008 S ERVING THE MIT CO mm UNI T Y The case for cap-and- trade MIT analysis shows how plans can cut greenhouse emissions Researchers at MIT’s Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research have produced a report concern- ing key design issues of proposed “cap- and-trade” programs that are under consideration in the United States as a way of curbing greenhouse gas emissions. The first contribution of the three-part study found that, based on an examination PHOTO / DONNA COVENEY of the European Union’s system and of similar U.S. programs for other emissions, Herman addresses Diversity Leadership Congress such a program Former Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman delivers the keynote address Nov. 18 at the Diversity Leadership Congress, which can indeed be effective in aimed to promote a culture of diversity at MIT by bringing together academic, administrative and student leaders. For more MIT helped coverage of the congress, please visit the MIT News Office web site at http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/. organize a reducing emis- sions without conference this having a signifi- week that is cant economic looking at ways impact. “The Euro- Equipping cells with tiny ‘backpacks’ of controlling pean experience and reducing confirms much greenhouse of what has Polymer patches could ferry been learned gases. from similar drugs, assist in cancer diagnosis Read more U.S. systems for on page 8. other emissions, Anne Trafton namely, that News Office cap-and-trade systems can be MIT engineers have outfitted cells with tiny “back- constructed, that markets emerge to facili- packs” that could allow them to deliver chemotherapy tate trading, that emissions are reduced agents, diagnose tumors or become building blocks for efficiently, and that the effects on affected tissue engineering. industries are less than predicted,” said A. Michael Rubner, director of MIT’s Center for Materials Denny Ellerman, the study’s lead author Science and Engineering and senior author of a paper on and a senior lecturer in the MIT Sloan the work that appeared online in Nano Letters on Nov. 5, School of Management. said he believes this is the first time anyone has attached The study found that the most contro- such a synthetic patch to a cell. versial aspect of the European program The polymer backpacks allow researchers to use cells was how to allocate the permitted to ferry tiny cargoes and manipulate their movements emissions levels to different producers. using magnetic fields. Since each patch covers only a small Initial free allocation of allowances, they portion of the cell surface, it does not interfere with the found, was the necessary price for gaining cell’s normal functions or prevent it from interacting with political acceptance, as it has been in U.S. the external environment. systems. Over time, the clearly established “The goal is to perturb the cell as little as possible,” trend in the E.U. is to phase out the free said Robert Cohen, the St. Laurent Professor of Chemical allocation of permits in favor of auction- Engineering at MIT and an author of the paper. ing them. The researchers worked with B and T cells, two types of immune cells that can home to various tissues in the body, The second part of the report looked IMAGE / AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY at mechanisms that can be used to control including tumors, infection sites, and lymphoid tissues — a the costs that will be imposed on power trait that could be exploited to achieve targeted drug or vaccine MIT researchers have developed a technique to attach tiny producers as a result of implementing a delivery. ‘backpacks’ to cells. cap-and-trade system. Several alternatives “The idea is that we use cells as vectors to carry materials to were analyzed, including such things as a tumors, infection sites or other tissue sites,” said Darrell Irvine, Another possible application is in tissue engineering. Patches “safety valve,” banking and borrowing of an author of the paper and associate professor of materials could be designed that allow researchers to align cells in a allowances, and renewable portfolio stan- science and engineering and biological engineering. certain pattern, eliminating the need for a tissue scaffold. dards. Rather than a single best choice, Cellular backpacks carrying chemotherapy agents could target The polymer patch system consists of three layers, each with the study found that different mechanisms tumor cells, while cells equipped with patches carrying imaging a different function, stacked onto a surface. The bottom layer work best for addressing uncertainties agents could help identify tumors by binding to protein markers tethers the polymer to the surface, the middle layer contains the uPlease see CARBON, PAGE 6 expressed by cancer cells. uPlease see BACKPACKS, PAGE 6 PEOPLE RESEARCH NEWS Young scientists honored Singing in slow motion What should Obama do? Ed Boyden and Sara Seager are named to Discover MIT researchers study of songbirds could help Renowned economists, including MIT’s Robert Solow, magazine’s “Top 20 Under 40” list. to understand humans’ timing. give advice to President-elect Barack Obama. PAGE 2 PAGE 4 PAGE 6 PAGE 2 November 19, 2008 u PEOPLE MIT Tech Talk S M T WT Events F S � Two scientists named to at MIT Discover’s ‘Top 20 Under 40’ list Today Chomsky also cited for cited for her work on the study of extraso- • Disintegration: Painting exhibition lar planets and models that have “helped by Roberto Marrone. Rotch Library lifetime achievement researchers make the first atmospheric Gallery, Nov. 14-Nov. 24. The exhibi- measurements of a distant world.” tion displays paintings and drawings by Discover magazine has named two MIT “What I really want to do is figure out the Italian painter Roberto Marrone. researchers — Ed Boyden and Sara Seager which kinds of gases extraterrestrial life Most works, based on abstract-figurative — among its top 20 scientists under 40. might produce,” Seager told Discover. subjects, are the results of the reaction Boyden, the Benesse Career Develop- “These gases would accumulate in the between colour and chemical material. ment Professor, an assistant professor in atmosphere and might be detectable from the MIT Media Lab and professor in the Ed Sara afar.” • Institute faculty meeting. 3:30-5 Department of Biological Engineering Boyden Seager Seager, who joined MIT in 2007, was p.m. in 10-250. See the agenda on page and Department of Brain and Cognitive also part of a team that co-discovered 7. Sciences, is currently working on devising the first detection of light emitted from technologies for controlling the process- he hopes could help treat brain diseases an exoplanet and the first spectrum of an • “Smart Start-ups.” Part of Global ing within specific neural circuit targets in including Parkinson’s. exoplanet. Entrepreneurship Week @ MIT. 5-7 the brain. Boyden, 29, is also an alumnus “There are things that light can do that The “Top 20 Under 40” list appears in p.m. in 1-390. Sherwin Greenblatt, of MIT, receiving his MEng and dual SBs purely electric stimulators can’t,” Boyden the magazine’s December issue. Institute Director of the MIT Venture Mentor- in 1999. noted in the magazine. Professor emeritus Noam Chomsky was ing Service, who started as Bose’s only Discover cited Boyden for his work Seager, 36, the Ellen Swallow Richards also cited in the same issue as a lifetime employee and eventually became Bose’s on “engineering brain implants that can Associate Professor of Planetary Science achiever who has “redefined our under- President, will describe how Bose stimulate … with light pulses,” which and an associate professor of physics, was standing of ourselves as humans.” planned and executed its commercial strategy and remained privately held by bootstrapping its growth, and how your venture might do so. MIT football coach Dwight Smith retires • Science Policy and the Obama Thirty years after helping to relaunch football at Football Conference. In 2007, Smith received the Ron administration. From 6-7 p.m. in MIT, Dwight Smith has decided to retire from coach- Burton Distinguished American Award for Lifetime NE30, Broad Institute Auditorium. ing. The 1999 New England Football Conference Achievement sponsored by the Jack Grinold East- School of Science Dean Marc Kastner Coach of the Year, Smith has been on the sidelines for ern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football will speak at an advice session to the every game in the modern history of Engineer football. Foundation. Obama administration on science and Taking over the reins as head coach of the Tech club “So often in college sports, coaches use their current the future of America. program in 1979 after a one-year stint as an assistant, job as a stepping stone to the next job,” noted Julie Smith led the Engineers into its first varsity game on Soriero, director of athletics and head of DAPER. “In • “Einstein’s Dreams.” 7:30-10 p.m. in Sept. 24, 1988. During Tech’s 30-year run on the grid- Dwight’s case, the long history of his career here at the Central Square Theater (450 Massa- iron, Smith’s unit compiled a 102-159-1 mark. PHOTO / WES FORNERO MIT speaks to his commitment to his team and this chusetts Ave., Cambridge). This stage Persevering as the longtime commander of MIT institution; it is admirable. To wrap up this season with Dwight adaptation of MIT Adjunct Professor football, Smith has picked up numerous awards and a number of unprecedented achievements and career Alan Lightman’s novel portrays Einstein postseason accolades throughout his tenure. In 1983, Smith records is a fitting way to conclude his historic career.” in 1905, a modest but brilliant patent Smith was named the New England College Football Smith, who will remain at MIT as a full-time profes- clerk in a new marriage, struggling to Conference Coach of the Year after guiding the Engineers to a sor in physical education, enjoyed a tremendous season in 2008 as make ends meet, while in the back of his 5-4 record.