Research Categories - Biological Mechanisms and Pathways

The renowned and groundbreaking molecular and cellular biological studies at Harvard Medical School encompass diverse aspects of cell and viral function, employing a variety of model organisms. From disulfide bond formation in bacteria to large scale RNAi screening in Drosophila to systems biology studies, HMS investigators are investigating a wide array of biological phenomena, trying to uncover the complex cellular dynamics encoded for by cellular and viral genomes.

Related Investigators

  1. Constance Cepko, PhD

    Retina development and pathophysiology

    Investigate the mechanisms of the development of different retinal cell types derived from multipotent retinal progenitor cells with a focus on photoreceptor cells; study the pathological loss of ...

  2. James Chou, PhD

    NMR spectroscopy and membrane protein structure; viral ion channels; antiviral compounds

    Apply advanced technologies to the reconstitution and structural biochemistry of membrane proteins, with a focus on viral ion channels; analyze the structure of membrane proteins at the level of ...

  3. Jon Clardy, PhD

    Isolation and characterization of small molecule natural products; high-throughput screening for novel therapeutics

    Discovering small molecule, natural products and their biology; high throughput screening for small molecule chemicals that interfere with microbial and mammalian cell processes.  

  4. Jose Halperin, MD

    Targeting protein translation for anticancer therapies; CD59 and diabetes

    Employ the preclinical resources of the Laboratory for Translational Research to develop new therapies and diagnostics in oncology and diabetes

  5. Ed Harlow, PhD

    Molecular mechanisms of cell signaling and applications to cancer biology

    Global molecular screening studies to gain insights into the genetic regulation of cancer development and response of cancer cells to chemotherapy  

  6. James Rowlett, PhD

    Anxiety, addiction, cognition, and sleep: pharmacotherapy, GABA receptor

    Investigate the neuropharmacological basis of psychiatric disease and addiction, employing behavioral methodologies and translational approaches.  Primary areas of research include anxiety, ...

  7. Adrian Salic, PhD

    Hedgehog signaling and cell-cell communication

    Post-translation modification with cholesterol; regulation of transcription      

  8. Susan Westmoreland, VMD

    Neuropathology of HIV and SIV infections and AIDS

    Explore the molecular and cellular bases of neuropathologies associated with HIV and SIV infections, including encephalitis and dementia.  

  9. Chao-ting Wu, PhD

    Chromosomal homology, pairing, and segregation: mechanisms and implications for gene therapy, development, and human disease

    Explore mechanisms of maintaining genome integrity through the study of chromosomal homology, segregation, and pairing.  

  10. Gary Yellen, PhD

    Ion channel structure and function; epilepsy; fluorescent biosensors

    Study the function of ion channels, such as  the voltage-dependent K+ and pacemaker channels; explore the molecular basis of dietary therapy for epileptic seizures.