Columbia University

Microplastics generate cell-damaging reactive molecules, study finds

Home institution of the research team

Microplastics have been found in human blood, lungs, and brain tissue, and studies link them to strokes, heart attacks, and dementia. Nobody could explain how a chemically inert material causes that damage.

Updated Oct 18

Bacterial antiviral enzyme builds DNA repeats like telomerase

New Capabilities

Hosted the DRT10 research in its Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics

Bacteria fight viruses with an enzyme that writes repetitive DNA from an RNA template. The system, called DRT10, works much like telomerase, the enzyme that protects chromosome ends in humans and most other eukaryotes.

Updated Oct 12

NYC congestion pricing cut fine particle pollution in Manhattan toll zone by 13% in first year

Rule Changes

As of October 2026: Led the year-long air quality study

New York City's congestion pricing cut fine particle pollution inside the Manhattan toll zone by about 13% in its first year. A Columbia-led study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters tracked air quality at 15 monitoring sites. The decline closely matched the roughly 11% drop in vehicles entering the zone.

Updated Oct 11

Scientists create first genetically engineered glowing cuttlefish

New Capabilities

As of September 2026: Hosts the Axel lab where the glowing cuttlefish were produced

Columbia University scientists produced seven cuttlefish that glow red under fluorescent light. It is the first time anyone has successfully added a new gene to a cephalopod - the group that includes octopuses and squids.

Updated Sep 29

Columbia University

Stories

Microplastics generate cell-damaging reactive molecules, study finds

Bacterial antiviral enzyme builds DNA repeats like telomerase

NYC congestion pricing cut fine particle pollution in Manhattan toll zone by 13% in first year

Scientists create first genetically engineered glowing cuttlefish