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CRISPR enzyme programmed to kill viruses in human cells

October 10th – Researchers harness Cas13 as an antiviral agent and diagnostic tool for RNA-based viruses.

Student Spotlight: Lucas Buyon

September 16th – Read an interview with student Lucas Buyon about his studies in epidemiology and his work as president of the Harvard Chan Student Association.

Epidemic of vaping injuries sparks public health concerns

September 9th – Health officials in the U.S. are investigating an outbreak of lung injuries and deaths related to the use of e-cigarettes and other vaping products. David Christiani, Elkan Blout Professor of Environmental Genetics at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, discussed his research on the dangers of vaping and his recent NEJM editorial on the topic.

When cells reach their breaking point

June 25th – For cells, effectively managing stress can be the difference between life and death. But why some cells master the art of stress management while others succumb to the pressure isn’t well understood.

Sex, Drugs & Mosquitoes

June 25th – To stop malaria, Flaminia Catteruccia wants to medicate – not annihilate – the world’s mosquitoes.

Eric Rubin named editor-in-chief of New England Journal of Medicine

June 19th – Eric Rubin, chair of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases and the Irene Heinz Given Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, has been named the editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Seeking the Path of Least Resistance

June 18th – Rising antibiotic resistance is not just a medical crisis – it’s a scientific, economic, political and moral problem. Can we act before it’s too late?

As measles cases crack 1,000, a look at what to do

June 11th – Chan School’s Barry Bloom and Kennedy School’s Juliette Kayyem probe underlying issues.

Detail-oriented, with an eye on the big picture

May 22nd – Allison Andraski, PhD ’19, bridges her passion for research with her interest in health by studying the little-understood world of HDL, or “good” cholesterol.

William Mair receives 2019 Armen H. Tashjian Jr. Award

May 15th – William Mair, associate professor of molecular metabolism at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is the 2019 recipient of the Armen H. Tashjian Jr. Award for Excellence in Endocrine Research.

Fats, stress, death: Uncovering the toxic effects of saturated fatty acids on cells

April 4th – New research led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has identified numerous genes that influence how cells respond to saturated fatty acids.

Fixing broken lines of communications

March 26th – In a new Science paper, Brendan Manning, Professor of Molecular Metabolism, and colleagues reveal how a previously understudied enzyme may help fuel the metabolism of cancer cells and contribute to the development of other diseases, including diabetes and obesity.

Can vaccines help fight the rise of drug-resistant microbes?

March 12th – Some of the most important medications doctors have at their disposal have been rendered ineffective by parasites, viruses, and bacteria that have evolved resistance against them, and the problem is poised to get worse.

Ending HIV transmission by 2030

March 4th – After four decades of fighting AIDS and the human immunodeficiency virus that causes it, the U.S. government is pressing forward with a plan to end HIV transmission in the country by 2030.

Applying antimalarial drugs to bed nets could lead to drop in malaria transmission

February 27th – Mosquitoes that landed on surfaces coated with the antimalarial compound atovaquone were completely blocked from developing Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), the parasite that causes malaria, according to new research led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Scientist at Work, Scientist at Play

January 24th – Eric Rubin is carving a singular path to conquering tuberculosis

Widespread, occasional use of antibiotics in U.S. link with resistance

December 18th – The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance in the U.S. appears more closely linked with their occasional use by many people than by their repeated use among smaller numbers of people, according to a large new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

A look back at Nigeria’s success in battling AIDS

December 7th – Nigeria is home to one of the world’s largest populations of people living with HIV. And while health care workers in the country are often strapped for resources and don’t have access to the latest medications, they have made significant progress in the fight against the virus, according to Phyllis Kanki.

Pioneering AIDS researcher Max Essex feted at symposium

November 27th – They arrived at Boston’s Colonnade Hotel from as nearby as Cambridge and as far away as Botswana. There were doctors and veterinarians, scientists and a head of state. And they were all there to celebrate trailblazing AIDS researcher Max Essex.

Veritalk: Monsters, Episode 2 – Parasites

October 29th – Some monsters live inside us. PhD candidate in Biological Sciences in Public Health Maddy Mcfarland studies Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite that transforms its shape to sneak inside our cells and makes us sick.

How will microbiome research revolutionize public health?

October 29th – New technologies have revolutionized the way we see and understand the human microbiome. In the coming decades, clarifying the many roles of the microbiome will dramatically reshape medicine and public health.

Faith-based approach in battling malaria

October 5th – As cases increase in Africa, medical and religious communities join forces.

Seeking new momentum in malaria fight

July 19th – Experts, program heads, and present and future leaders in the fight against malaria gathered at Harvard Business School in June for a weeklong workshop aimed at supporting global eradication efforts.

The Senegal Sex Workers Study

July 16th – Phyllis Kanki had thought the S stood for singe, the French word for monkey, but a call to France revealed that the S stood for Senegal—in particular, sex workers in the capital city of Dakar. And that changed everything.

Metabolism symposium celebrates foundation of life

June 26th – The Sabri Ülker Center at Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health kicked off its second symposium on “Metabolism and Life,” with musical performance, art, and lectures from innovative young researchers and Nobel laureates.

A breath of fresh air

May 21st – Jamaji Nwanaji-Enwerem, PhD ’18, wants to use molecular tools to better understand how environmental pollutants harm health—and raise awareness about decreasing people’s risk

Social Scientist

May 17th – Allyson Morton, PhD ’18, studied the intricacies of cholesterol as a bench scientist, but as a ‘people person’ she also embraced opportunities to work with others at the School outside of the lab.

Sandcastles and surprising origins of basic cellular functions

April 2nd – Finding links physics of granular systems to biology of asthma and embryonic development.

Sulfur amino acid restriction diet triggers new blood vessel formation in mice

March 22nd – Finding suggests that improved vascular function could contribute to the known benefits of dietary restriction.

Mumps resurgence likely due to waning vaccine-derived immunity

March 21st – A resurgence of mumps in the U.S. among vaccinated young adults appears to be due to waning of vaccine-induced immunity, according to a new analysis from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Breakthrough brings targeted drug delivery within ARMM’s reach

March 14th – Scientists at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health demonstrated a new vesicle-based system for delivering molecular cargo into cells—a discovery that may significantly improve targeted drug delivery.

A cellular ‘switch’ could be target for improving metabolism, treating obesity, diabetes

March 12th – In a new study, a team of researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health made a major advance in our understanding of how brown fat cells work.

Past encounters with the flu shape vaccine response

February 20th – Immune history influences vaccine effectiveness, interacting with other potential problems arising from the manufacturing process.

Essential doorways for malaria parasites’ invasion of red blood cells identified

January 30th – Two recent studies from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers and colleagues have identified key essential proteins on the surface of red blood cells that two species of malaria parasite need in order to enter the cells for replication and transmission.

Everywhere you look, flu

January 24th – Assistant Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases Yonatan Grad talks about why this year’s seasonal flu has been so severe and why it is so important for eligible patients to get vaccinated.

Gene linked with lower asthma risk identified

January 10th – Researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have identified a gene associated with lower asthma risk and its role in the disease’s progression—findings that open a new potential pathway for treatment.

Ban on deadly pathogen research lifts, but controversy remains

January 8th – Last month, the U.S. government lifted a three-year moratorium on funding risky research to genetically alter deadly viruses in ways that could make them even more lethal. Epidemiologist Marc Lipsitch of Harvard Chan School thinks the move could create an accidental pandemic.

Targeting tumor metabolic vulnerabilities

December 8th – A research team at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has identified a key metabolic vulnerability in some types of tumor cells and discovered a way to exploit it by harnessing well-known immunosuppressant drugs.

Huge progress in treating AIDS

December 1st – The first World AIDS Day was December 1, 1988. That same year, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health AIDS Initiative (HAI) was established to help end the epidemic. Max Essex, Mary Woodard Lasker Professor of Health Sciences and Chair of HAI, looks at the progress of UNAIDS’ 90-90-90 goals.

Molecular guardian defends cells, organs against excess cholesterol

November 16th – A team of researchers at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health has illuminated a critical player in cholesterol metabolism that acts as a molecular guardian in cells to help maintain cholesterol levels within a safe, narrow range.

Manipulating mitochondrial networks could promote healthy aging

October 26th – Manipulating mitochondrial networks inside cells—either by dietary restriction or by genetic manipulation that mimics it—may increase lifespan and promote health, according to new research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Multifaceted approach key to eradicating malaria

October 25th – Researchers have found that, in a mouse model, it may be possible to achieve lifelong metabolic health.Throughout the twentieth century, researchers hoped to discover a “magic bullet” to cure malaria.

Targeting ‘lipid chaperones’ may hold promise for lifelong preservation of metabolic health

October 10th – Researchers have found that, in a mouse model, it may be possible to achieve lifelong metabolic health.

Cellular ‘message in a bottle’ may provide path to new way of treating disease

September 27th – A newly discovered cellular messaging mechanism could lead to a new way to deliver therapeutics to tissues affected by disease.

Homing in on the microbiome

September 20th – A new study of the human microbiome has analyzed thousands of new measurements of microbial communities from the gut, skin, mouth, and vaginal microbiome, yielding new insights into the role these microbes play in human health.

Protecting cells from toxic fat

August 1st – A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Howard Hughes Medical Institute sheds light on how a key fat-producing enzyme helps protect cells from a toxic form of fat.

Bugs in the System

July 25th – From a microbial perspective, the human colon is a teeming metropolis, home to the most densely populated collection of microbes on the planet. Remarkably, these organisms are not only tolerated but also often required for normal body functioning—as much a part of human biology as our own cells.

Setting the Record Straight

June 15th – In a new advisory, the American Heart Association (AHA) concluded strongly that replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats will lower the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Frank Sacks of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, lead author of the advisory, explains.

New finding could aid fight against Tuberculosis

May 31st – A single protein appears responsible for the ability of some tuberculosis-causing bacteria to evade antibiotics, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The finding suggests that blocking this protein may help shorten TB treatment, which can often last for months because of persistent bacterial subpopulations.

Iron-transporting molecule could help reduce anemia

May 17th – Investigators from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Northeastern University found that hinokitiol, which is a chemical derived from cypress trees, can restore iron transport in animals and in human cells when proteins that normally do the job are missing, a condition that can cause severe anemia.

Passionate Pursuits

May 2nd – In 1996, Pedro Lamothe-Molina applied to medical school in his hometown of Mexico City. He easily met all the academic requirements. But when school officials met him for an interview in person, they decided they couldn’t accept him—because he was 12.

Botswana Harvard Partnership turns 20

April 19th — Two decades ago, Harvard, including BPH faculty member Max Essex, teamed up with Botswana’s Ministry of Health to address the AIDS epidemic ravaging southern Africa.

‘Stars’ honored for service milestone

March 7th — Staff, faculty, and academic appointees reaching key milestones in their service at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health were honored at the annual “Celebration with the Stars” on February 28, 2017 in Kresge Cafeteria.

Key enzyme identified for unique mode of malaria parasite replication

Feb. 23rd — Researchers have identified an enzyme that plays a key role in malaria parasite replication in the human bloodstream. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health scientists say that developing drugs that target the enzyme could be a potential approach in efforts to treat and prevent the spread of the deadly disease.

Drug-resistant ‘nightmare bacteria’ show worrisome ability to diversify and spread

Jan 16th — A family of highly drug-resistant and potentially deadly bacteria may be spreading more widely – and more stealthily – than previously thought, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.

PhD student Christalyn Rhodes named Harvard Horizons Scholar

Dec 20th — Christalyn Rhodes has been named a 2017 Harvard University Horizons Scholar. Rhodes is a Ph.D. student in Biological Sciences in Public Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and her thesis research focuses on how lung cells migrate in disease states. The Horizons Scholar award recognizes doctoral students whose work has the potential to reshape their disciplines. From across Harvard, Rhodes was one of only eight chosen for the honor.

Hormone-disrupting compound could provide new approach to malaria control

Dec 15th — A chemical that disrupts biological processes in female mosquitoes may be just as effective as insecticides in reducing the spread of malaria, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Optimism may reduce risk of dying prematurely among women

Dec 7th —  Having an optimistic outlook on life – a general expectation that good things will happen – may help people live longer, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Uncovering a ‘smoking gun’ in age-related disease

Dec 5th —  For the first time, a research team led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has linked the function of a core component of cells’ machinery – which cuts and rejoins RNA molecules in a process known as “RNA splicing” – with longevity in the roundworm.

Ending the Epidemic

Dec 1st —  To mark World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, scientists, clinicians, students and staff talk about the important work they’re doing around the world.

Mosquito Maven

Sept 23rd —  Mosquitos have threatened human health for centuries. By virtue of the insects’ capacity to ferry pathogens, ancient scourges like malaria as well as emerging infections such as Zika can persist and spread.

Study suggests antibodies may offer protection against tuberculosis

Sept 22nd —  Findings open new windows on the biology of the disease and offer inroads to new rapid diagnostic and vaccine approaches.

Royal Connection

Sept 1st —  One hundred years ago, a young member of the Thai royal family gave up a promising military career to devote himself to the health and well-being of his people.

Researchers Unpack a Cellular Traffic Jam

August 17th —  The subtle mechanics of densely packed cells may help explain why some cancerous tumors stay put while others break off and spread through the body.

Defending the ‘wonder drugs’

July 27th —  In any battle, ‘Know thy enemy’ is sage advice, but those guiding words are especially relevant in the global fight against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

The Blood in the Freezer

June 19th —  One tiny vial of blood contains a remarkable amount of genetic information about both the person from whom it was drawn and infectious agents like HIV circulating at the time of the needle prick.

‘Bugs’ on the subway: Monitoring the microbial environment to improve public health

June 28th — The trillions of microbes that transfer from people to surfaces could provide an early warning system for the emergence of public health treats such as flu outbreak or a rise in antibiotic resistance, according to a study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

FDA takes major step forward targeting excess sodium in processed foods

June 8th — This week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took a leap forward in targeting these sources of excessive salt, releasing draft, voluntary sodium-reduction goals for over 150 categories of processed, prepared, and packaged foods.

‘Superbug’ found in Pennsylvania patient highlights dangers of antibiotic resistance

June 1st — A “superbug” that is resistant to colistin—the antibiotic of last resort—was recently found in a U.S. patient with a urinary tract infection. Sarah Fortune, professor of immunology and infectious diseases at Harvard Chan School, discusses the danger posed by pan-resistant bacteria and how best to fight it.

Why Public Health? Eylul Harputlugil

May 24th – Watch Eylul Harputlugil, PhD ’16 describe how using her background in basic science and public health is helping her launch a career in management consulting.

Gut check: Shining a light on our bacteria’s role in disease

May 19th — Back when she was a high school athlete, Michelle Rooks, who will graduate with her PhD in biological sciences in public health later this month, saw how making changes to her diet could improve her performance. In her research at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Rooks has taken her interest in the connection between food, nutrition, and health to the microscopic level—she’s been working to understand the biological mechanisms that can cause bacteria in the gut to initiate and drive disease.

‘If you’re not failing, you’re probably not trying as hard as you could be’

May 12th – In 1986, Harvard “rescued” George Church — in his telling, at least — when the Medical School hired him as an assistant professor in its young Department of Genetics. In the decades since, Church’s efforts to make DNA sequencing faster and cheaper have helped drive a genomic revolution that is transforming science and advancing at a rate that surprises even him.…Continue reading “If you’re not failing, you’re probably not trying as hard as you could be”

Zika epidemic forcing scientists to rethink assumptions about human biology

April 15th – On April 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) joined the World Health Organization (WHO) in confirming a link between Zika and the severe birth defect microcephaly. While officials at WHO also believe that there is enough evidence to conclude that the virus causes the autoimmune nervous disorder Guillain-Barré syndrome, the CDC is waiting …Continue reading “Zika epidemic forcing scientists to rethink assumptions about human biology”

Researchers optimistic about malaria vaccine progress

April 12th – While the world is as close as it has ever been to having a malaria vaccine, the fight to eradicate the disease is far from over. That was the consensus among experts in the field who gathered at a forum hosted by Harvard’s Defeating Malaria: From the Genes to the Globe initiative on April 6, 2016. Focused … Continue reading“Researchers optimistic about malaria vaccine progress”

Theresa Betancourt, Dyann Wirth honored at annual Alice Hamilton lecture

April 8th – Theresa Betancourt discussed her research on the role of conflict, adversity, and resiliency in children at the Sixth Annual Alice Hamilton Award Lecture on April 5, 2016 in Kresge Cafeteria. Following her talk, Betancourt, associate professor of child health and human rights and director of the Research Program on Children and Global Adversity at Harvard … Continue reading“Theresa Betancourt, Dyann Wirth honored at annual Alice Hamilton lecture”

Botswana study shows 96% rate of viral suppression for patients on HIV drugs

March 23rd – Botswana appears to have achieved very high rates of HIV diagnosis, treatment, and viral suppression—much better than most Western nations, including the United States—according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and colleagues in Botswana. The findings suggest that even in countries with limited resources where a large percentage of the population … Continue reading“Botswana study shows 96% rate of viral suppression for patients on HIV drugs”

Special cells can “taste,” then help fight parasites in the gut

March 1st – What spurs the human immune system into action when there’s a parasitic infection in the gut? A new study finds that special cells called tuft cells play a big role—by “tasting” the presence of intestinal parasites and setting the immune system into motion against them. The finding, outlined in a paper published February 2, 2016 … Continue reading“Special cells can “taste,” then help fight parasites in the gut”

Politics biggest threat to malaria effort

February 22nd – Politics is one of the biggest threats facing the global campaign to eradicate malaria, said a U.S. official tackling the disease, which kills nearly half a million people a year, including 300,000 children under age 5. Though some 214 million malaria cases are still reported annually, disease incidence has declined 37 percent over the last … Continue reading“Politics biggest threat to malaria effort”

Link between Zika virus and microcephaly strengthened

February 17th – New research has found evidence of the Zika virus in the brain tissue of a fetus with microcephaly, providing support for a link between the mosquito-borne disease and a birth defect that causes small heads and underdeveloped brains. According to an editorial that accompanied the study, both published online February 10, 2016 in The New … Continue reading“Link between Zika virus and microcephaly strengthened”

Zika virus in Brazil may be mutated strain

January 27th – The mosquito-borne Zika virus has been linked to a surge in cases of birth defects in Brazil, and is spreading in other countries in the southern hemisphere. Flaminia Catteruccia, associate professor of immunology and infectious diseases at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, says the virus may have adapted to the human environment and … Continue reading“Zika virus in Brazil may be mutated strain”

Targeting fat-tissue hormone may lead to type 2 diabetes treatment

January 6th – A new study by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and colleagues describes the pre-clinical development of a therapeutic that could potentially be used to treat type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and other metabolic diseases. The researchers developed an antibody that improves glucose regulation and reduces fatty liver in obese mice …Continue reading “Targeting fat-tissue hormone may lead to type 2 diabetes treatment”


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