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Research Programs

Disease Programs

The greatest strength of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute is the ability to bring together leading researchers and physicians from across multiple disciplines and institutions to work collectively on a specific challenge. Through its disease-specific programs, HSCI supports these focused collaborations by holding think tanks, seminars, and other events; providing access to world-class core facilities; supporting the new ideas of both junior and senior faculty through seed grant awards; and funding basic science and clinical translation research in specific disease areas.

Title Project Lead
Blood Diseases Program Daniel G. Tenen, MD
Cancer Program
Scott A. Armstrong, MD, PhD
Ramesh Shivdasani, MD, PhD
Cardiovascular Disease Program Richard Lee, MD
Diabetes Program Gordon C. Weir, MD
Kidney Disease Program Joseph V. Bonventre, MD, PhD
Nervous System Diseases Program Jeffrey D. Macklis, MD, D.HST
Translational Research Program Les E. Silberstein, MD

Junior Faculty Programs

The HSCI Junior Faculty Programs are unique in their support for highly collaborative, "high risk/high return" projects. The research proposed by the faculty members typically explores new approaches in which their individual labs can accelerate their own work by collaborating with others to tackle a large question. By pooling their efforts, junior faculty members can secure funding from HSCI to pursue their ideas, which can then be further supported with outside grants as the results roll in. The programs not only offer a chance to make bold new discoveries, but they also serve as an important bridge to stability at the early stage of a scientist's career.

Title Project Lead
Cell Development Program Amy Wagers, PhD
Cell Regulation Program Carla F. Kim, PhD
Epigenetics of Stem Cell Function and Aging Program Alex Meissner, PhD

Research Centers

Title Project Lead
Therapeutic Screening Center Lee L. Rubin, PhD
iPS Core Facility Chad Cowan, PhD
Genome Modification Facility Andrew P. McMahon, PhD

Ethics Program

The goal of the Program in Ethics and Public Policy is to foster interdisciplinary education and public discussion of the ethical and policy implications of the advancing field of stem cell research. The program is designed to reach all of Harvard University's constituencies, from students, to faculty, alumni, and the general public. To accomplish this, the program has developed seminars, lectures, and special dedicated programs that have brought together scientists and humanists; engaged alumni groups and the general public in lively exchanges of ideas with scientists and ethicists; and contributed an overview of ethical issues for science journalists as part of a week-long session co-sponsored with MIT.

To read more about the Program in Ethics and Public Policy's activities, click here.