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Research

The Ragon’s research centers around six research areas and COVID-19, an emergency research priority.

Our approach draws on the wealth of cross-disciplinary knowledge created by our collaborative approach, understanding that progress comes not from silos of expertise, but from a vibrant, collaborative community with knowledge building as it flows from field to field, each approach and perspective giving valuable insights into key scientific and medical questions.

In this video, Galit Alter describes the basics of some of the immunology research conducted at the Ragon.

Emergency Response

Emergency Response

In response to the global pandemic, we have turned our considerable immunology and infectious disease expertise to understanding SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19, and the immune response to the virus.

Priority Research Areas

HIV

The study of HIV, a devastating epidemic affecting millions of people around the globe, was the Ragon Institute’s initial research program.

LABS WORKING IN THIS AREA:

Allen, Balazs, Batista, Gaiha, Juelg, Kwon, Lingwood, Ndung’u, Shalek, Walker

Global Infectious Diseases

Though the Ragon Institute started by studying HIV, we quickly expanded to other global infectious diseases.

LABS WORKING IN THIS AREA:

Balazs, Barczak, Batista, Bryson, Carrington, Kwon, Lichterfeld, Lingwood, Schmidt, Shalek, Walker

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The Ragon is committed to the study of emerging infectious diseases, such as Ebola, Zika, SARS/MERS, which have a devastating global impact.

LABS WORKING IN THIS AREA:

Balazs, Batista, Lichterfeld, Schmidt, Shalek, Walker

Vaccine Development

The best treatment for infectious diseases is prevention through effective vaccines.

LABS WORKING IN THIS AREA:

Allen, Balazs, Batista, Gaiha, Juelg, Lichterfeld, Lingwood, Pillai, Schmidt, Walker

Clinical Research

Clinical research provides valuable insight in the interactions of the immune system and various pathogens through the use of clinical samples such as blood draws and mucus swabs.

LABS WORKING IN THIS AREA:

Balazs, Juelg, Lichterfeld, Ndung’u, Pillai, Shalek, Walker

Basic and Applied Immunology

Basic and applied immunology research seeks to answer fundamental questions in immunology and use the findings to drive forward medical research

LABS WORKING IN THIS AREA:

Allen, Batista, Bryson, Carrington, Kwon, Pillai, Schmidt, Walker

New Scientific Advances

Press Releases April 15, 2024

Ragon faculty finds intricate functions of Resident Tissue Macrophages (RTM’s) extend beyond immune defense

Researchers at the Ragon Institute, including faculty member Hernandez Moura Silva, PhD, recently published a paper in Science Immunology with significant findings regarding resident tissue macrophages (RTMs), shedding light on their multifaceted roles in organ health. 

April 1, 2024

‘Evolution of an Epidemic’ Returns — Taking Students Across South Africa to Learn the Real-World Impact of HIV and COVID-19

After three years off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ragon-MIT course HST.434 returned this January to provide 24 students a once in a lifetime learning experience

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About

The Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard brings together scientists and engineers from diverse fields to better understand the immune system and support human health.

Facilities

Located at 400 Technology Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Ragon Institute is specifically designed to safely support our immunology and infectious disease research.

Leadership: Faculty

The Ragon’s faculty includes many of the world’s most creative scientists, engineers, and clinicians.