Ragon Institute
Dec 26, 2024 Features
Bruce Walker, MD, the founding director of the Ragon Institute, has dedicated his career to advancing our understanding of HIV and harnessing the immune system to combat infectious diseases. His impactful work has shaped the field of immunology and global health, and his leadership continues to drive scientific innovation. In a compelling profile by the […]
Dec 10, 2024 Features
This morning, the Ragon Institute had the privilege of hosting Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll for the ceremonial signing of the Mass Leads Act (H.5100). This landmark legislation is designed to solidify Massachusetts’ position as a global leader in emerging industries like climatetech, applied artificial intelligence (AI), and life sciences while promoting […]
Oct 1, 2024 Research Highlights
Researchers at the Ragon Institute of Mass General Brigham, MIT, and Harvard have uncovered critical insights into how aging impairs the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. A study led by the Ringel Lab at the Ragon Institute and published in Cancer Immunology Research shows that as the body ages a type of immune cells called CD8+ T cells, essential for […]
Sep 24, 2024 Research Highlights
Researchers from the Shalek Lab at the Ragon Institute of Mass General Brigham, MIT, and Harvard, in collaboration with the Broad Institute, have uncovered key insights into how prior Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection primes the immune system for enhanced protection against reinfection. This study, published in Immunity on August 30, used a non-human primate model to demonstrate that […]
Sep 23, 2024 Features
https://news.mit.edu/2024/two-dose-schedule-could-make-hiv-vaccines-more-effective-0920
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 3, 2024 Features
Researchers at the University of Amsterdam, in collaboration with the Batista Lab at the Ragon Institute, have developed a potential new approach for an HIV vaccine. The study, published in Science Immunology, focuses on creating a vaccine component that can stimulate the immune system to produce powerful antibodies against HIV. Titled “Germline-targeting HIV vaccination induces neutralizing antibodies to the CD4 […]
Aug 28, 2024 Features
Researchers at the Ndhlovu Lab, part of the Ragon Institute and the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), have completed a significant study on the safety and practicality of lymph node excisions for HIV cure research in South Africa. The study — led by Ragon faculty member Zaza Ndhlovu, PhD, and published in Frontiers in Immunology — provides […]
Aug 20, 2024 Features
Kim discusses her journey to the Ragon Institute and her aspirations for the future Exchange programs and global collaboration play a vital role in advancing scientific research, allowing researchers to share knowledge, resources, and expertise across borders — a philosophy the Ragon Institute is deeply committed to. For Youry Kim, PhD, the Ragon offered an […]
Aug 19, 2024 Features
Treatments using oleic acid, a naturally occurring oil used in cells, could improve treatment of recurrent bacterial vaginosis infections. More than half of women globally experience bacterial vaginosis (BV) — an imbalance of naturally occurring microbes in the female genital tract — at least once in their life. The condition can cause painful symptoms and […]
Aug 8, 2024 Features
The Ragon Institute is delighted to have been featured in this Forbes profile of Phillip Ragon, who helped create the Ragon Institute and whose commitment to advancing medical research drives our mission forward. We are proud to share his story and the impact of his legacy on global health (Subscription required): https://www.forbes.com/sites/katiejennings/2024/08/07/this-secretive-billionaire-thinks-he-can-cure-hiv-heres-why/
Aug 6, 2024 Features
The Future African Scientist organization was sparked by a connection between two students from different walks of life during an MIT program in South Africa. Read the full MIT News Article here.
Jul 30, 2024 Features
We are thrilled to announce that Ragon faculty member Alex Shalek, PhD, has been appointed as the new Director of the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES) at MIT, effective August 1, 2024. Shalek joined the Ragon Institute a decade ago, playing a pivotal role in advancing our mission. His innovative work spans genomics, […]
Jul 30, 2024 Features
Moodley with Ndhlovu at the award ceremony The Ragon Institute is proud to recognize Merantha Moodley, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Ragon faculty Zaza Ndhlovu, PhD, who has been selected as one of six recipients of the IAS/ANRS Lange/van Tongeren Prize for Young Investigators. Her exceptional work on the abstract titled “Spatial […]
Jul 25, 2024 Awards
The Ragon Institute is proud to recognize Upasana Das Adhikari, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Kwon Lab, who has been awarded the prestigious K99 Pathway to Independence Award by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This highly competitive award identifies trainees with strong potential to become independent scientists and supports them through this critical […]
Jul 23, 2024 Features
In January 2020, two students from across the world met on the “Evolution of an Epidemic” course. Their friendship inspired the creation of a program they hope will benefit African science for years to come. Martin Lubowa was a high school student at the prestigious African Leadership Academy (ALA) when he got an opportunity–the chance […]