Now Enrolling · 2026

MIT AI-Driven
Bioscience Research Program

A world-class research program in molecular architecture and protein design, led by Dr. Shuguang Zhang — Director of MIT Media Lab's Molecular Architecture Laboratory, with 200+ papers and 40,600+ citations. Past participants have been admitted to MIT, Harvard, and Princeton.

5 Weeks · 3 hrs/week Live Sessions
Small-Group Online · Zoom
Ages 14+ · Biology Background
Cambridge Journal Publications
Submit Parent Inquiry Form
About the Program

Designing Life Itself — Molecules, Proteins, and AI

Haddee Education, in collaboration with MIT Media Lab, presents this program in AI-Driven Bioscience: Molecular Architecture and Protein Design. Open to exceptional high school and university students worldwide, it is guided by Dr. Shuguang Zhang — Director of the Molecular Architecture Laboratory and one of the world's leading biochemists.

Students explore cutting-edge advancements in molecular design, from the fundamental building blocks of life — amino acids, nucleotides, sugars, and lipids — to frontier tools like AlphaFold and Dr. Zhang's own revolutionary QTY Code for designing water-soluble proteins.

Instruction is delivered in English by Dr. Zhang and a team of MIT and Carnegie Mellon University students — bridging young researchers with the absolute frontier of international bioscience.

Program Director
Dr. Shuguang Zhang
Dr. Shuguang Zhang
MIT Media Lab
Director, Molecular Architecture Laboratory

At MIT since 1988. Discoverer of self-assembling peptides in 1990 — launching the entire field of peptide nanobiotechnology. Inventor of the QTY Code, enabling water-soluble membrane protein design for drug development.

200+
Papers
40.6K+
Citations
h=96
H-Index
Wilhelm Exner Medal (2006) · Emil Thomas Kaiser Award (2020) · Fellow, National Academy of Inventors
Student Success Story

From Haddee to MIT, Harvard & Princeton

E
Emily
Program Participant · Class of 2024
Chose MIT ✓
"Emily published a first-author paper in a Cambridge University journal through this program. She received admission offers from MIT, Harvard, and Princeton — and chose MIT for her undergraduate studies."
📄
First-Author Publication
Cambridge University Press
🎓
3 Ivy+ Offers
MIT · Harvard · Princeton
🏛️
Enrolled at MIT
Undergraduate Studies
Why This Program

What Sets This Apart

🔬
Learn Dr. Zhang's Own QTY Code

Go beyond textbooks. Students study and apply the QTY Code — Dr. Zhang's landmark invention for designing water-soluble membrane proteins — with direct application in drug development and materials science.

🤖
AI Tools at the Scientific Frontier

Use AlphaFold, PyMOL, and UniProt — the same computational tools used in Dr. Zhang's own active research — to tackle complex biological design challenges hands-on.

🎓
Path to Top Universities

Students receive opportunities to publish in scientific journals and earn certificates and recommendation letters. Past participants have been admitted to MIT, Harvard, and Princeton.

Curriculum

12-Topic Syllabus

5 weeks · 3 hours of live instruction per week · 10 hours of independent research & writing weekly

"Nature has perfected an astounding diversity of molecular architectures over billions of years — from the right-handed helices of DNA to the beta-pleated sheets in proteins. These nanoscale motifs form the foundation of life's complexity and inspire novel designs in science and technology."

— Course Introduction, Dr. Shuguang Zhang
Topic 1
Introduction to Molecular Architecture
The importance of water in biomolecular structures; hydration and life's architectures.
Topic 2
Amino Acids
Chemical and physical properties; effects of pH, ionic strength, and chirality.
Topic 3
Primary & Secondary Protein Structures
Alpha-helices, beta-sheets, and historical and recent discoveries.
Topic 4
Beta-Sheets
Types, properties, biological significance, and structural applications.
Topic 5
Collagen Structure
Primary sequences, triple helices, and biological roles of collagen.
Topics 6–7
Silkworm & Spider Silk
Protein sequences, molecular structures, and industrial applications of natural silks.
Topic 8
DNA Architecture
Physical and chemical properties of DNA helices; advances in DNA nanotechnology.
Topic 9
RNA Structures
Roles of RNA in prebiotic evolution and current biotechnologies.
Topic 10
Protein Design with QTY Code
Creating water-soluble receptors while retaining full biological function.
Topic 11
Bioinformatics Tools
AlphaFold, PyMOL, and UniProt for computational protein design.
Topic 12
Hands-On Protein Design
Real-world applications using advanced software and research datasets.
Tools & Databases
AlphaFold PyMOL UniProt QTY Code Framework Zoom
Your Mentor

About Dr. Shuguang Zhang

Education & Career
  • →
    Bachelor's in Biochemistry
    Sichuan University, China (1980)
  • →
    PhD in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
    University of California, Santa Barbara (1988)
  • →
    MIT — Joined 1988 · Still Active Today
    Leads the Molecular Architecture Laboratory at MIT Media Lab
Awards & Fellowships
  • →
    Wilhelm Exner Medal (2006) — one of the world's most prestigious science & technology awards
  • →
    Emil Thomas Kaiser Award (2020) — Protein Society's highest honor for biochemistry
  • →
    Fellow: National Academy of Inventors (2013), American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (2011), Austrian Academy of Sciences (2010)
Eligibility

Who Should Apply

🎒
Ages 14+ (16+ Recommended)
Ages 16+ with foundational knowledge in proteins and amino acids preferred for full benefit.
🧬
Biology Background
Foundational biology knowledge required. Interest in AI and bioscience with independent learning ability.
⏰
10 hrs/week Commitment
Dedicated to research and academic writing beyond the 3 weekly live instruction hours.
Application Process
Parents complete the Inquiry Form to receive the full program catalog and pricing. Students then complete the Haddee Research Application Form. Selected students are invited for an interview before admission.
Limited Spots · Interview Required

Ready to Research at MIT
with Dr. Zhang?

Submit the Parent Inquiry Form and we will send you the full program catalog and pricing details. Spots are limited and fill on a first-come, first-served basis.

Submit Parent Inquiry Form