Using molecular and genetic approaches, we are examining how various signals are integrated in undifferentiated cells in order to dictate cell fates and ultimately influence morphogenesis. Our main experimental system is Drosophila, but we are interested in exploiting this system as a tool to explore human biology and understand the underlying mechanisms of pathologies such as cancer

Our research is focused on the biology of cilia, cellular organelles with unique evolutionary fate and physiological role.

The Blenis lab concentrates on several signaling mechanisms inside a single cell, hoping to decipher the cell's complex internal code.

Our laboratory is investigating the cellular processes and pathways that are involved in normal morphogenesis of epithelial tissues as well as those involved in the initiation and progression of epithelial tumors.

The primary focus of our laboratory is to delineate cellular energy and nutrient sensing pathways, including metabolic checkpoints that integrate cellular survival and bioenergetics.

Our lab develops quantitative live cell imaging methods and computational models to unravel how cheminal and mechanical signals integrate in the regulation of the cytoskeleton.

We are interested in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and related regulatory systems. Specific topics include the mechanism of the proteasome, ubiquitin-like proteins, antizyme, and nonproteolytic functions of ubiquitination.

We study how cell-cell signaling molecules set up spatial pattern, particularly in the development and regeneration of connections in the nervous system.

Our laboratory is presently studying the regulation and mechanisms of protein breakdown in animal and bacterial cells.

We study the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into somatic cell types, especially the keratinocyte.

We are interested in developing and applying new technologies in the fields of mass spectrometry and proteomics.

Our laboratory studies the functions and mechanisms of the ubiquitin-proteasome system in cell cycle and checkpoint control using proteomic, genetic and biochemical approaches.

The Haigis laboratory focuses on the molecular regulation of mitochondrial functions during aging and age-related disease. Our goal is to investigate how pathways that control aging, such as sirtuins, impact mitochondrial fuel utilization, bioenergetics and signaling. To achieve these objectives, we take a multidisciplinary approach that employs biochemical, cellular, and mouse modeling experiments to systematically dissect the mitochondrial pathways of interest.

Broadly, my goal is to create molecular and cellular visualizations that will enable learning, research and scientific communication.

Our lab integrates chemical and cell biologal approaches to study cell division and chromosome segregation.

Our research focuses on the processes that mediate and regulate the movement of membrane proteins throughout cells.

We study the molecules, genes, and neural circuits that control instinctive animal behavior. We identified a novel family of sensory receptors in the nose, and are currently exploring their physiological roles. We are also developing new strategies to chart the hypothalamic neural circuitry that governs feeding behavior.

The lab addresses mechanisms controlling chromosome segregation, T cell activation, and epithelial stem cell maintenance using cell biology, mouse models, and molecular technologies. 

We study how protein- and RNA-based mechanisms mediate the formation and propagation of epigenetic chromatin domains.

Our research is focused on the molecular mechanisms of mammalian gene regulation in normal and cancerous cells.

Our laboratory studies tissue and organ morphogenesis.

Our laboratory works on cell biology topics in two areas: cytoskeletal dynamics and the control of genome stability. Our approaches include genetics, functional genomics, biochemistry and live cell imaging. Ongoing projects use both yeast and animal cell systems.

Our laboratory is interested in nutrient sensing in mammalian cells and how it connects to the transcriptional machinery to control gene metabolic regulatory networks.

We are interested in the molecular mechanisms by which proteins are transported across or are inserted into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. We have dissected both cotranslational protein translocation in mammals and posttranslational translocation in yeast using a combination of biochemical approaches.

We are interested in understanding the mechanisms underlying intracellular transport and cell division, in particular the roles played by microtubules and microtubule-based molecular motors.

Our research is focused on the functional coupling of the steps in gene expression in human cells, with a focus on the machineries involved in RNAP II transcription, pre-mRNA splicing, polyadenylation, mRNA export and translation.

Much of the previous work in our lab has centered on the molecular mechanisms that regulate mitotic entry, mitotic progression and mitotic exit. The lab’s major focus has now shifted to using zebrafish embryos to ask how hormonally active pollutants, also known as environmental endocrine disruptors, interfere with molecular programs of development and differentiation.

We study biochemical and cellular mechanisms involved in signal transduction through the Hedgehog signaling pathway. We also develop and apply new chemical technologies to study the cell biology of lipids.

A major focus of my lab is to understand epigenetic regulation and its role in human diseases. Specifically, we are investigating how histone methylation is dynamically regulated as well as mechanisms involved in the recognition of combinatorial modifications occurring on histone tails that are important for chromatin regulation.

Our laboratory is centered on the molecular basis of cell differentiation and tissue development, using adipogenesis as a model system. We are also interested in the biochemical mechanisms of metabolic diseases relating to adipogenesis, especially obesity and insulin-resistant diabetes (NIDDM). In addition, we have a major interest in trying to alter cancer cell growth by stimulating pathways of terminal differentiation.

My research interests are focused on the molecular mechanisms that guide neuronal growth cones through the developing embryo to reach and select their appropriate synaptic targets.

Our group uses molecular electron microscopy to determine the structures of integral membrane proteins and macromolecular complexes. We are particularly interested in structural aspects of water, urea and iron transport, protein-lipid interactions and chromatin remodeling.

I am the Director of a core light microscopy facility shared by Cell Biology, Systems Biology & BCMP called the Nikon Imaging Center at Harvard Medical School. The purpose of the facility and the NIC staff is to provide light microscopy expertise and training to the Harvard Medical School community.

The Whitman lab is interested in how signals are transduced into highly specific biological responses during embryogenesis, during physiological responses of an organism to stress or damage,  and  during the development of various disease pathologies.

The research in Yuan lab is aimed at elucidation of the molecular mechanisms regulating cell death under physiological and pathological conditions.