Research
The Ragon’s research centers around six research areas and COVID-19, an emergency research priority.
Our approach draws on the wealth of cross-disciplinary knowledge created by our collaborative approach, understanding that progress comes not from silos of expertise, but from a vibrant, collaborative community with knowledge building as it flows from field to field, each approach and perspective giving valuable insights into key scientific and medical questions.
Emergency Response
Emergency Response
In response to the global pandemic, we have turned our considerable immunology and infectious disease expertise to understanding SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19, and the immune response to the virus.
Priority Research Areas
HIV
The study of HIV, a devastating epidemic affecting millions of people around the globe, was the Ragon Institute’s initial research program.
LABS WORKING IN THIS AREA:
Allen, Balazs, Batista, Gaiha, Juelg, Kwon, Lingwood, Ndung’u, Shalek, Walker
Global Infectious Diseases
Though the Ragon Institute started by studying HIV, we quickly expanded to other global infectious diseases.
LABS WORKING IN THIS AREA:
Alter, Balazs, Barczak, Batista, Bryson, Carrington, Kwon, Lichterfeld, Lingwood, Schmidt, Shalek, Walker
Emerging Infectious Diseases
The Ragon is committed to the study of emerging infectious diseases, such as Ebola, Zika, SARS/MERS, which have a devastating global impact.
LABS WORKING IN THIS AREA:
Alter, Balazs, Batista, Lichterfeld, Schmidt, Shalek, Walker
Vaccine Development
The best treatment for infectious diseases is prevention through effective vaccines.
LABS WORKING IN THIS AREA:
Allen, Balazs, Batista, Gaiha, Juelg, Lichterfeld, Lingwood, Pillai, Schmidt, Walker
Clinical Research
Clinical research provides valuable insight in the interactions of the immune system and various pathogens through the use of clinical samples such as blood draws and mucus swabs.
LABS WORKING IN THIS AREA:
Balazs, Juelg, Lichterfeld, Ndung’u, Pillai, Shalek, Walker
Basic and Applied Immunology
Basic and applied immunology research seeks to answer fundamental questions in immunology and use the findings to drive forward medical research
LABS WORKING IN THIS AREA:
Allen, Batista, Bryson, Carrington, Kwon, Pillai, Schmidt, Walker
New Scientific Advances
A Single Genetic Variant Affects Immune Response to an Experimental Flu Vaccine
The 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
The Ragon’s Biosafety Level 3 lab plays a key role in translational studies of emerging viral infections
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About
The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard brings together scientists and engineers from diverse fields to better understand the immune system and support human health.
Facilities
Located at 400 Technology Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Ragon Institute is specifically designed to safely support our immunology and infectious disease research.
Leadership: Faculty
The Ragon’s faculty includes many of the world’s most creative scientists, engineers, and clinicians.