Research News

December 22, 2008

Rudolf Jaenisch honored for research in cellular reprogramming
Jaenisch has been named a recipient of the 2008 Meira and Shaul G. Massry Prize in recognition of his work in creating so-called induced pluripotent stem cells, or IPS cells.

December 15, 2008

Single virus used to convert adult cells to embryonic stem cell-like cells
Adult cells, from both humans and mice, can be converted into embryonic stem cell-like cells (induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells) using a single virus to insert four reprogramming genes into the cells’ genomes.

December 15, 2008

Tracking the molecular pathway to mixed-lineage leukemia
The MLL-AF4 fusion protein, which causes the blood cancer called mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL), binds to several genes responsible for early blood cell development. MLL-AF4 also alters the chromatin proteins associated with these genes, a state that is associated with cancer and leukemia progression.

December 11, 2008

Cueing up at the meiotic starting line
Expression of the Dazl gene in embryonic germ cells primes these cells for stimulation by an external signal that initiates meiosis (the process of halving the cell’s chromosomes).

December 5, 2008

Scientists pinpoint immune system targets in complex pathogens
Scientists have long struggled for details on how the immune system responds to complex pathogens such as the parasite Toxoplasma gondii and herpes viruses. Adapting an existing technology, researchers have pinpointed precise molecular targets that these pathogens present to signal T cells.

December 4, 2008

Doing the math for membranes
A new quantitative model accurately predicts the three-dimensional forces involved in creating and maintaining certain biological membranes.

November 25, 2008

Misfolded proteins accelerate yeast evolution
In yeast, a protein-misfolding mechanism can reveal hidden genetic variations and thus generate new phenotypes that may increase cell survival. Researchers now have demonstrated that when yeast cells are stressed, this mechanism is triggered much more often.

November 20, 2008

Susan Lindquist wins HHMI Collaborative Innovation Award
Whitehead Member and Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigator Susan Lindquist has been awarded a Collaborative Innovation Award, part of a four year, $40 million pilot project launched by the HHMI.

November 17, 2008

New clue emerges for cellular damage in Huntington’s disease
Huntington’s disease is caused by misfolded and clumped proteins that interfere with the cell’s protein quality control, which may lead to cellular toxicity and eventually cell death.

November 3, 2008

Brain development takes an unexpected bend
A previously undescribed molecular mechanism for changing the shape of cell sheets is demonstrated in the embryonic brain, using the zebrafish model. This process, termed "basal constriction", is likely to occur in different structures during development in all animals.

November 3, 2008

Protein-printing technique gives snapshots of immune system defense
A new technique lets researchers, for the first time, look at single white blood cells and measure specific characteristics of the set of antibodies they produce when the body is under attack.

October 13, 2008

David Page elected to Institute of Medicine
Whitehead Director David C. Page has been elected to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine.

October 10, 2008

Whitehead’s Luke Whitesell receives top research grant from Johnson & Johnson
Whitesell has been chosen to participate in Johnson & Johnson’s Focused Funding Program.

October 1, 2008

Short RNAs show a long history
MicroRNAs and piRNAs, two classes of small RNAs that regulate genes, have been discovered within diverse animal lineages, implying that they have been present since the ancestor of all animals (about a billion years ago).

August 7, 2008

Putting microRNAs on the stem cell map
Short snippets of RNA called microRNAs help to keep embryonic stem cells in their stem cell state. Researchers now have discovered the gene circuitry that controls microRNAs in embryonic stem cells.

August 6, 2008

Recipe for cell reprogramming adds protein
Embryonic-like stem cells can be efficiently generated using a natural signaling molecule instead of the virally delivered cancer-causing gene c-Myc.

July 30, 2008

How short RNAs influence many proteins
The first large-scale study of the protein output of genes targeted by microRNAs confirms that each microRNA adjusts the production of many proteins, and sheds important light on how this regulation occurs.

July 17, 2008

Whitehead Member Peter Reddien selected as 2008 Keck Distinguished Young Scholar
Whitehead Member Peter Reddien has been named one of five Distinguished Young Scholars in Medical Research by the W.M. Keck Foundation.

July 10, 2008

Whitehead remembers Alex d’Arbeloff
Whitehead Director David Page shares thoughtful reflection upon the passing of Institute Board member Alex d'Arbeloff.

July 1, 2008

New technique produces genetically identical stem cells
Cells from mice created using genetically reprogrammed cells can be triggered via drug to enter an embryonic stem-cell-like state.

June 4, 2008

Whitehead Member Susan Lindquist honored with Harvard Centennial Medal
Whitehead Member Susan Lindquist has been awarded a Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) Centennial Medal from Harvard University, given annually to graduate alumni who have made exceptional contributions to society.

May 27, 2008

Whitehead Member David Sabatini wins HHMI appointment
Sabatini has been appointed a Howard Hughes Medical Investigator, a highly sought-after post that recognizes the nation’s top biomedical scientists.

May 22, 2008

How cells size up their growth opportunities
Improved understanding of this nutrient-sensing pathway may aid in developing therapies for cancer and diabetes.

May 15, 2008

Embryonic pathway delivers stem cell traits
Understanding the role of EMT in adult stem cell creation may lead toward the development of healthy stem cells for regenerative medicine and provide drug targets for cancer.

April 17, 2008

Mature B cells reprogrammed to stem-cell-like state
Fully differentiated cells can be reprogrammed to induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells.

April 7, 2008

Reprogrammed cells reduce Parkinson's symptoms in rats
Dopamine-producing neurons transplanted into adult rat brains treat behavioral symptoms related to low dopamine levels.

March 27, 2008

Susan Lindquist receives Otto Warburg Medal
Award recognizes contributions to understanding of neurological disease.

March 26, 2008

Harvey Lodish to chair MLSC Scientific Advisory Board
Peer review board aids the quasi-public agency that promotes life sciences in Massachusetts.

March 3, 2008

Whitehead ranks among best places for postdocs
Collaborative efforts continue to improve experience for young researchers.

February 18, 2008

Shocking evolution into action
One heat shock protein affects the expression of many complex traits genes, which may contribute to rapid evolutionary change.

February 17, 2008

Single microRNA fine-tunes innate immune response
A single microRNA, microRNA-223, in mice controls the production and activation of granulocytes, white blood cells essential for host defense against invading pathogens.

February 15, 2008

Gijsbert Grotenbreg is named NRF Research Fellow
Postdoc will receive up to $1.5 million for independent research in Singapore.

February 10, 2008

How red blood cells nuke their nuclei
In the first mechanistic study of how a red blood cell loses its nucleus, the research sheds light on one of the most essential steps in mammalian evolution.

February 5, 2008

Susan Lindquist receives Genetics Society of America Medal
The medal is given for outstanding contributions in the field of genetics during the past 15 years.

January 23, 2008

Whitehead Institute ranks among top in citations
Whitehead scientists top the list of authors with the most high-impact papers in molecular biology and genetics.

January 17, 2008

Human blood stem cells are multiplied 20-fold in culture
Advance offers promise for bone marrow transplants, gene therapy.

January 17, 2008

Whitehead Institute unveils innovative salary and benefits plan for postdoctoral scientists
New plan significantly improves salary and benefits for its postdoctoral scientists–a crucial step in addressing the needs of these promising young researchers.

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Last updated December 22, 2008.