Meet the under-35s shaping the future of biotech

Every year, MIT Technology Review identifies 35 young innovators under the age of 35 who are making significant contributions to science and technology. In 2026, nine of these innovators are working in biotechnology, a field that combines biology with technology to develop solutions for health and medical challenges. These young researchers and entrepreneurs are recognized for their groundbreaking work, which ranges from saving lives to reversing aging processes. Their innovations are expected to shape the future of biotechnology and healthcare globally.

Paschal Kija, a 28-year-old innovator from Tanzania, has developed a device called the Mkanda Salama (Swahili for "Safe Wrap") to address postpartum hemorrhage, a severe complication during childbirth that accounts for 29% of maternal deaths in Tanzania. This life-saving device costs just $70 and is designed to be easy to use. In a study, it successfully stopped postpartum bleeding in 73% of women within 20 minutes. Postpartum hemorrhage is a critical issue in many low-resource settings, and Kija’s invention offers a practical, affordable solution to reduce maternal mortality.

Xiao Yang, a 34-year-old researcher, is working on ultra-small, flexible brain electrodes that mimic the structure of neurons. These electrodes are designed to minimize damage to brain tissue when inserted, a common issue with traditional brain implants. Yang’s innovation is inspired by kirigami, a traditional Japanese art of paper cutting that creates three-dimensional shapes. She has developed a honeycombed electrode sheet shaped like a spiral basket, which is already being used to study brain cells in the lab. This technology could improve treatments for neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease or epilepsy.

Sarah Grandinette, a 26-year-old scientist, played a key role in developing a personalized gene-editing therapy for a baby named KJ, who was born with a rare and potentially fatal genetic disorder. The therapy was designed to correct a specific genetic error in KJ’s DNA. Grandinette and her team created cells with KJ’s genetic variant to test different gene-editing approaches. They then tested potential treatments in mice and monkeys before administering the therapy to KJ when he was seven months old. The treatment was successful, and KJ was eventually discharged from the hospital. Gene editing is a cutting-edge technique that allows scientists to modify DNA to treat or prevent diseases.

Yuancheng (Ryan) Lu, a 34-year-old researcher, is working on a therapy that reverses aging at the cellular level. In a 2020 study, Lu and his team demonstrated that their reprogramming therapy could restore vision in aged, blind mice. Reprogramming involves resetting cells to a more embryonic-like state, effectively turning back the biological clock. A similar version of this therapy is now being tested in humans with eye diseases. The company Life Biosciences is leading this effort, with the first human volunteer receiving the treatment in June 2026. This approach could potentially treat age-related conditions like macular degeneration.