Ragon Institute
Sep 30, 2022
National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15–October 15. This month commemorates the history, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic people from or connected with Spanish-speaking regions, including those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, and much of the Caribbean and Central and South America. For our Q&A interview series, we spoke with Thor Sandstad, Senior Facilities […]
Sep 29, 2022
Key Takeaways Researchers compared protein- and mRNA-based HIV immunogens in mice. mRNA-based immunization significantly increased activation and recruitment of broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) precursors. BOSTON – The development of a durable and effective HIV vaccine is still elusive after almost forty years of research, but a new study testing a germline-targeting vaccination strategy provides insights […]
Sep 28, 2022
During September 15–October 15, we commemorate the history, achievements, and contributions of Latin people from or connected with Spanish-speaking regions, including those whose ancestors came from Spain, the Caribbean, North, Central, and South America. Next up in our Latine Q&A interview series with Ragon employees is Emily Marte, a veterinary technician in Todd Allen’s lab. […]
Sep 26, 2022
Photo provided by Andrea Garavito National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15–October 15. This month commemorates the history, achievements, and contributions of people from or connected with Spanish-speaking regions, including those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, and much of the Caribbean and Central and South America. To celebrate Hispanic Heritage, we’re publishing a series […]
Sep 20, 2022
Last month, a team of instructors from the U.S. and South Africa led a five-day workshop at Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in Durban, South Africa. The objective of the course was to build research data analysis capacity for sub-Saharan African researchers by teaching R programming language basics and data modeling […]
Aug 31, 2022
Key Takeaways Researchers used single-cell RNA-sequencing to study small intestinal biopsies of 33 individuals with environmental enteropathy (EE), which is thought to be a major contributor to malnutrition. They identified potential cellular and molecular targets for treatment. BOSTON – Environmental enteropathy (EE), or gut inflammation due to environmental factors, is thought to be a major […]
Aug 17, 2022
Key Takeaways Antibodies elicited by a first vaccination in HIV and SARS-CoV mouse models shape the antibody response to later vaccination. This research elucidates the basic biology of the antibody response, which may inform future vaccine development. BOSTON – The human immune system is a library of responses to past exposures. In a new study […]
Aug 10, 2022
Key Takeaways A single genetic variant on human B cell receptors is responsible for differences in immune response to an experimental universal flu vaccine that targets the influenza viral spike protein. Findings suggest some people may not have broadly neutralizing antibody responses to universal flu vaccines, but there is the potential to rescue immune response. […]
Aug 3, 2022
The Ragon’s Biosafety Level 3 lab plays a key role in translational studies of emerging viral infections When scientists want to study potentially dangerous pathogens—bacteria, viruses, or other organisms that can cause disease—they need to use specialized laboratory spaces. At the Ragon Institute, our state-of-the-art Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory is where experiments can be […]
Jul 27, 2022
Key Takeaways Researchers investigated the efficacy of four naturally occurring IgG subclasses against vaginal HIV infection. In a humanized mouse model, the antibody VRC07 IgG2 showed substantially reduced protection relative to other IgG subclasses. BOSTON – Immunoglobulin gamma (IgG) antibodies are produced by the immune system after exposure to HIV. There are four different types […]
Jun 28, 2022
BOSTON – Although pregnant individuals and newborns may face elevated risks of developing more severe cases of COVID-19 following SARS-CoV-2 infection, data indicate that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy can help to protect both the mother and child. New research collaboratively led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and published […]
Jun 21, 2022
Sikhulile Moyo discusses the benefits of international collaboration and a culture of transparency Last week, the Ragon Institute welcomed virologist Sikhulile Moyo, PhD, laboratory director of the Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership (BHP) and research associate at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, for a visit. Moyo is a collaborator with Ragon members Mathias Lichterfeld, […]
Jun 6, 2022 Ragon Culture
May 26 was a sad but exciting day for the Ragon as the Clinical Team said goodbye to four of its team members, who are moving on to their next stages of training. All four will be pursuing further degrees in either science or medicine. Max Barbash worked on mucosal immunology and lymphoid studies at […]
Jun 3, 2022
Ragon member Gaurav Gaiha is a physician and scientist, Indian and American As the son of Indian immigrants, Gaurav Gaiha, MD, DPhil, describes himself as wearing two hats. He was born in the U.S. and grew up in Lake Forest, Illinois, outside of Chicago, which resulted in “a dual identity … at one moment you’re […]
Jun 3, 2022
Research technician Agnes Cheng started a new job during the pandemic—and experienced her Asian identity in a different way amid a troubling rise in violence Graduating from college can be an uncertain and confusing time in any circumstances, but it was especially the case for Agnes Cheng, a research technician in Aaron Schmidt’s lab who […]
Jun 1, 2022
Research technician Liza Vecchiarello seeks knowledge in her personal and professional life Liza Vecchiarello, a research technician in Bruce Walker’s lab, would often get high fevers as a child. It remained a medical mystery until she doubled over in pain during recess in the third grade and was rushed to the hospital. There, doctors discovered […]