# Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) ## Our mission is to find cures for human diseases. HSCI Mission Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) scientists are working together across Harvard schools, centers, and teaching hospitals, harnessing the power of stem cells to change medicine for the better. [ Learn more about us arrow\_circle\_right ](/about) ![A lab scientist evaluates a red liquid substance in a container](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_28_10__1920x685/public/2025-08/hsci-lab.png?itok=Kro5LT5i) ## Research HSCI bridges the gaps in traditional research funding to encourage bold thinking and launch scientific careers. Through our **disease programs**, we channel world-class resources, both intellectual and technological, toward some of the most prevalent, devastating diseases for which stem cell research holds promise. In addition, our **seed grants** and **junior faculty programs** provide funding for innovative, early-stage projects in stem cell research. This allows up-and-coming scientists to pursue "high risk/high reward" avenues of research that might be difficult to fund from other sources. [ Research arrow\_circle\_right ](/research) ![Melanocyte stem cells affected by overstimulation of the parasympathetic nerve](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/hsci/files/hsu_ya-chieh_melanocyte_stem_cells_2020.jpg?itok=3Dbd-LeG) *How does stress affect stem cells? Here, we see elaborate sympathetic innervation (magenta) around melanocyte stem cells (yellow). Acute stress has triggered the release of large amounts of norepinephrine, depleting the melanocyte stem cells and causing hair to lose color. Image courtesy of Hsu Laboratory, Harvard University* [ All Research Areas arrow\_circle\_right ](/research) [### Blood Diseases ](/blood-diseases-program) ![red-blood-cell-4216070_1280.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/hsci/files/red-blood-cell-4216070_1280.jpg?itok=MFyMstt8) [### Cancer ](/cancer-program) ![Fluorescent microscopy of blue-stained cancer cells](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/hsci/files/cancer-cells-541954_1280.jpg?itok=jPDdNQay) [### Cardiovascular Diseases ](/cardiovascular-disease-program) ![cardio.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/hsci/files/cardio.jpg?itok=AjV7LRgt) [### Diabetes ](/diabetes-program) ![diabetes.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/hsci/files/diabetes.jpg?itok=vEPIcutE) [### Kidney Disease ](/kidney-disease-program) ![kidney.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/hsci/files/kidney.jpg?itok=YOYfOfao) [### Musculoskeletal Disease ](/home) ![muskulo.png](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/hsci/files/muskulo.png?itok=nBEgc_1x) [### Nervous System Diseases ](/nervous-system-diseases-program) ![neuron.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/hsci/files/neuron.jpg?itok=lg8xAbf0) [### Skin Diseases ](/skin-program-1) ![skin_cells.jpeg](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/hsci/files/skin_cells.jpeg?itok=NpmpaNwL) [### Fibrosis & Aging ](/aging-fibrosis) ![red-blood-cell-4216070_1280.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/hsci/files/red-blood-cell-4216070_1280.jpg?itok=MFyMstt8) [### Stem Cells as Tools ](/stem-cells-tools) ![Fluorescent microscopy of blue-stained cancer cells](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/hsci/files/cancer-cells-541954_1280.jpg?itok=jPDdNQay) ## News [ More News arrow\_circle\_right ](/hsci-news) [### Lee Rubin appointed faculty co-director of Harvard Stem Cell Institute ](/news/2026/05/hsci-announces-new-co-director)Lee Rubin, professor of stem cell and regenerative biology and leading scholar of neurodegenerative disease, has been named the next faculty co-director of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI). Effective this spring, he joins current co-director David Scadden, Gerald and Darlene Jordan Professor of Medicine and professor of stem cell and regenerative biology, in leadership of the initiative. ![Professor Lee Rubin in his Sherman Fairchild Lab](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-05/RUBIN_Lee_copyright_Harvard_2017_credit_Kris_Snibbe-Harvard-University.original.jpg?h=0d7cb9b0&itok=pjvJDuvT) ## Funding Opportunities [### 2026 Barry Family Innovation Award ](/news/2026/01/call-applications-2026-barry-family-hsci-innovation-award-early-investigators) [### 2026 Capstone Grants ](/news/2026/03/call-proposals-2026-capstone-grants) [### 2026 Seed Grants ](https://www.hsci.harvard.edu/news/2026/02/call-proposals-2026-hsci-seed-grants) [### HSCI Community Events ](/calendar) ## HSCI Faculty HSCI has been breaking down barriers to collaboration in stem cell science since 2004. We provide fertile ground for more than 350 research faculty and their labs, across the university’s schools, centers, teaching hospitals, and partner companies, to share knowledge and pursue bold new ideas. With Harvard as a wellspring of discovery and a strong network that embraces new ways of working, we are better equipped than ever to change human health in ways that will benefit all of society. [ HSCI Faculty arrow\_circle\_right ](/faculty) ![HSCI principal faculty members](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/hsci/files/faculty-hp.jpg?itok=Kvd4GRxe) [*Doug Melton and David Scadden, co-founders of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute.*](/faculty) [### Executive Committee ](/leadership) [### Principal Faculty ](/principal-faculty) [### Affiliate Faculty ](/affiliate-faculty) ## From Lab to Clinic A key part of our mission is to move research out of the lab and into the clinic. Since our founding, we have been forging a clear path to translating discoveries into products that benefit patients. Now, we have the flexibility to organize people across institutions and sectors to tackle specific biological problems so we can make a lasting difference in people's lives. [ HSCI faculty startups arrow\_circle\_right ](/company-startups-0) ![researchers in lab](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_1_1__480x480/public/hsci/files/lab-to-clinic.jpg?itok=e0eq5Kc9) ## Stem-cell research news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for the HSCI newsletter [ Subscribe arrow\_circle\_right ](http://eepurl.com/gbyqB1) ### Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center ![Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center logo](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/hsci/files/bid.png?itok=GHR9nBYI) ### Boston Children's Hospital ![Boston Children's Hospital logo](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/hsci/files/bch.png?itok=J1Ognez5) ### Brigham and Woman's Hospital ![Brigham and Women's Hospital logo](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/hsci/files/bwh.png?itok=RR9HWJdV) ### Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ![Dana Farber Cancer Institute logo](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/hsci/files/dfc.png?itok=KOrZhOYj) ### Joslin Diabetes ![bigger_joslinheader-redux2_0-1.png](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/hsci/files/bigger_joslinheader-redux2_0-1.png?itok=3kdCTode) ### McLean Hospital ![McLean Hospital logo](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/hsci/files/mclean.png?itok=VjeczVEl) ### Massachusetts Eye and Ear ![Massachusetts Eye and Ear logo](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/hsci/files/mee.png?itok=Mk5FH_8s) ### Massachusetts General Hospital ![Massachusetts General Hospital logo](/sites/g/files/omnuum10026/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/hsci/files/mgh.png?itok=uC9RV37F)