Ragon Institute
T Cell Immunotherapy, HIV Evolution and Transmission
Todd dedicated his entire professional career to HIV research and what is now the Ragon Institute. He was a celebrated scientist, supportive colleague and a wonderful person with a kind heart. In tribute to his life’s work, the Allen Lab continues his research under the direction of Senior Scientist and Acting PI, Christian Boutwell.
The Allen Lab builds on its long-standing interest in T cell responses to HIV to explore novel approaches to engineering human immune cells to more effectively target and eliminate the HIV reservoir. We are also utilizing novel gene-editing approaches to block the transmission of HIV and curtail infection.
The Allen Lab focuses on translating recent successes in CRISPR gene editing and CAR T cell immunotherapies towards developing a functional cure for HIV. Our work leverages an innovative human stem cell–engrafted mouse model capable of supporting robust HIV infection and developing human immune responses to HIV. We are also using this model to decipher the host and viral factors influencing the mucosal transmission of HIV.
Principal Investigator
Dr. Todd Allen received his Ph.D. in Cellular & Molecular Biology from the University of Wisconsin before joining the Ragon Institute in 2001. He received his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. He was promoted to Professor of Medicine in 2014. He was also an Associate Member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.
Sep 17, 2024 Features
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Ragon Institute faculty member Todd M. Allen, PhD, a pioneering researcher in T cell immunotherapy and HIV evolution and transmission. His groundbreaking work on HIV cure research has left an indelible mark on the field and has been an inspiration to many. In addition to his position at the Ragon, […]
Sep 8, 2021 Features
Ragon researchers find impaired T cells precede loss of HIV control. HIV is a master of evading the immune system, using a variety of methods to prevent the body from being able to find and kill it. The vast majority of people living with HIV require daily medication to suppress the virus and therefore prevent […]
Jun 3, 2021 Features
A recent study published in the journal Nature Medicine, led by researchers Todd Allen, PhD, a professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Group Leader at the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard, and Jim Riley, PhD, a professor of Microbiology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, […]
Aug 31, 2020 Features
Researchers from the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania developed a new Dual CAR T cell immunotherapy that combats HIV infection in humanized mice. Image: HIV infecting a human cell, courtesy of NIH Image library A recent study published in the journal […]
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Senior Scientist and Acting Principal Investigator
Postdoctoral Fellow
Veterinary Technologist
Research Technician I
Senior Lab Manager
Graduate Student
Postdoctoral Fellow