Ragon Institute

News

Filter By:

Clear All

Researchers Evaluate Protein- and mRNA-Based Immunization Strategies against HIV

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 […]

Five Questions With… Emily Marte

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. […]

Five Questions With… Andrea Garavito

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 […]

Data Durban 2022: Exploratory Data Analysis & Modeling in R with Microbiome Applications

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 […]

Researchers use Single-Cell RNA-Sequencing to Better Understand Gut Inflammation Associated with Malnutrition

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 […]

A Single Genetic Variant Affects Immune Response to an Experimental Flu Vaccine

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. […]

Culture and Collaboration

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 […]

Different classes of IgG antibodies offer varied levels of protection against HIV transmission

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 […]

Which COVID-19 vaccine type and timing are best during pregnancy?

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 […]

Working Together to Fight Disease

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, […]

Thank You, Clinical Team Members!

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 […]

Wearing Two Hats

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 […]

COVID Uncertainties and New Paths

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 […]

Striving for Answers in the Lab and Beyond

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 […]

Studies Reveal Key Clues about COVID-19 Immunity, Immune Recall

May 20, 2022

How does the immune system remember and recognize viral invaders it has encountered in the past? A trio of newly published studies of people infected with SARS-CoV-2, vaccinated against the virus or both, are providing tantalizing new clues about the factors that influence the speed and magnitude of the immune system’s response to subsequent infection […]