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HHMI - Howard Hughes Medical Institue

At the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, we believe in the power of individuals to advance science through research and science education, making discoveries that benefit humanity. Learn more about how we move science forward. COVID-19 HHMI's Response »
Research Jun 18 2020
Fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic Through Testing

Research labs are racing to develop innovative testing methods and overcome the bottlenecks to more widespread testing, which is crucial to controlling the spread of the disease.

Research Jun 17 2020
Tomato’s Hidden Mutations Revealed in Study of 100 Varieties

A new analysis of difficult-to-access genetic variation is the most comprehensive ever conducted in plants. It could guide the improvement of tomatoes and other crops.

Research Jun 12 2020
Precision Genome Editing Enters the Modern Era

CRISPR has sparked a renaissance in genome editing. Now, next-generation CRISPR technologies let scientists modify the genome more efficiently and more precisely than before. Such tools could one day serve as therapeutics, but many challenges remain.

Research May 20 2020
Preventing ‘Cytokine Storm’ May Ease Severe COVID-19 Symptoms

A clinical trial in people with the new coronavirus is testing a drug that may halt an overactive immune response before it ramps up.

Research May 14 2020
Discovery of Malaria Parasite’s Clock Could Pave Way to New Treatments

The parasite that causes malaria has its own internal clock, explaining the disease’s rhythmic fevers and opening new pathways for therapeutics.

Research May 11 2020
SARS-CoV-2 Targets Many Cell Types, Analysis of Single-Cell Data Suggests

The new coronavirus invades cells that sport certain molecules on their surfaces. A network of researchers realized they already had the data to identify these cells.

Research May 01 2020
Molecular Basis of Rare Neurological Disorder Reveals Potential Treatment

Edwin Chapman has long studied how one protein triggers the release of neurotransmitters, allowing neurons to communicate. A mother’s email prompted him to investigate what happens when this protein malfunctions.

Institute Apr 30 2020
Clayton S. Rose Elected Chair of HHMI’s Trustees

Clayton S. Rose, President of Bowdoin College and a longtime Howard Hughes Medical Institute Trustee, will succeed Kurt L. Schmoke as Chair of the Trustees.

Research Apr 24 2020
Tracking the COVID-19 Pandemic with an App

Researchers and a volunteer team from Pinterest developed How We Feel, an app that lets users report symptoms of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Research Apr 15 2020
A Gut-to-Brain Circuit Drives Sugar Preference and May Explain Sugar Cravings

The sensation of sweetness starts on the tongue, but sugar molecules also trip sensors in the gut that directly signal the brain. This could explain why artificial sweeteners fail to satisfy the insatiable craving for sugar.

Research Apr 07 2020
Repurposing Existing Drugs Could Offer Faster Path to COVID-19 Treatment

A map of interactions between the novel coronavirus and human proteins is helping scientists identify drugs that might work as therapeutics.

Research Mar 31 2020
Virus-Scanning Tool Could Detect Previous COVID-19 Infections and Inform Vaccine Development

Using a research assay called VirScan, scientists plan to study how antibodies from people who have had COVID-19 attack the virus that causes it.

Research Mar 26 2020
Citizen Scientists Are Helping Researchers Design New Drugs to Combat COVID-19

Using a free computer game called Foldit, researchers are enlisting the help of citizen scientists to design drugs that could stop the novel coronavirus from infecting human cells.

Research Mar 24 2020
Patients with Severe Forms of Coronavirus Disease Could Offer Clues to Treatment

A new international project aims to enroll 500 COVID-19 patients to search for genetic mutations that make some people more vulnerable to severe infection.

Research Mar 05 2020
Resurrecting Ancient Protein Partners Reveals Origin of Protein Regulation

After reconstructing the ancient forms of two cellular proteins, scientists discovered the earliest known instance of a complex form of protein regulation.

Research Feb 06 2020
Fat Droplets Play Surprise Role in Metabolism

Cellular structures once thought to be inactive fat storage centers may actually help regulate metabolism.

Research Jan 30 2020
Uncovering the Neural Basis for Hypothetical Thinking in Rats

As a rat approaches a maze juncture, neural activity rapidly cycles between two sets of cells. The discovery suggests the rodents are envisioning turning left or right. A similar phenomenon may underlie how humans make decisions.

Research Jan 22 2020
Unveiling the Biggest and Most Detailed Map of the Fly Brain Yet

Janelia and Google scientists have constructed the most complete map of the fly brain ever created, pinpointing millions of connections between 25,000 neurons. Now, a wiring diagram of the entire brain is within reach.

Load More
Research Jun 18 2020
Fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic Through Testing

Research labs are racing to develop innovative testing methods and overcome the bottlenecks to more widespread testing, which is crucial to controlling the spread of the disease.

Research Jun 17 2020
Tomato’s Hidden Mutations Revealed in Study of 100 Varieties

A new analysis of difficult-to-access genetic variation is the most comprehensive ever conducted in plants. It could guide the improvement of tomatoes and other crops.

Research Jun 12 2020
Precision Genome Editing Enters the Modern Era

CRISPR has sparked a renaissance in genome editing. Now, next-generation CRISPR technologies let scientists modify the genome more efficiently and more precisely than before. Such tools could one day serve as therapeutics, but many challenges remain.

Research May 20 2020
Preventing ‘Cytokine Storm’ May Ease Severe COVID-19 Symptoms

A clinical trial in people with the new coronavirus is testing a drug that may halt an overactive immune response before it ramps up.

Research May 14 2020
Discovery of Malaria Parasite’s Clock Could Pave Way to New Treatments

The parasite that causes malaria has its own internal clock, explaining the disease’s rhythmic fevers and opening new pathways for therapeutics.

Research May 11 2020
SARS-CoV-2 Targets Many Cell Types, Analysis of Single-Cell Data Suggests

The new coronavirus invades cells that sport certain molecules on their surfaces. A network of researchers realized they already had the data to identify these cells.

Research May 01 2020
Molecular Basis of Rare Neurological Disorder Reveals Potential Treatment

Edwin Chapman has long studied how one protein triggers the release of neurotransmitters, allowing neurons to communicate. A mother’s email prompted him to investigate what happens when this protein malfunctions.

Institute Apr 30 2020
Clayton S. Rose Elected Chair of HHMI’s Trustees

Clayton S. Rose, President of Bowdoin College and a longtime Howard Hughes Medical Institute Trustee, will succeed Kurt L. Schmoke as Chair of the Trustees.

Research Apr 24 2020
Tracking the COVID-19 Pandemic with an App

Researchers and a volunteer team from Pinterest developed How We Feel, an app that lets users report symptoms of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Research Apr 15 2020
A Gut-to-Brain Circuit Drives Sugar Preference and May Explain Sugar Cravings

The sensation of sweetness starts on the tongue, but sugar molecules also trip sensors in the gut that directly signal the brain. This could explain why artificial sweeteners fail to satisfy the insatiable craving for sugar.

Research Apr 07 2020
Repurposing Existing Drugs Could Offer Faster Path to COVID-19 Treatment

A map of interactions between the novel coronavirus and human proteins is helping scientists identify drugs that might work as therapeutics.

Research Mar 31 2020
Virus-Scanning Tool Could Detect Previous COVID-19 Infections and Inform Vaccine Development

Using a research assay called VirScan, scientists plan to study how antibodies from people who have had COVID-19 attack the virus that causes it.

Research Mar 26 2020
Citizen Scientists Are Helping Researchers Design New Drugs to Combat COVID-19

Using a free computer game called Foldit, researchers are enlisting the help of citizen scientists to design drugs that could stop the novel coronavirus from infecting human cells.

Research Mar 24 2020
Patients with Severe Forms of Coronavirus Disease Could Offer Clues to Treatment

A new international project aims to enroll 500 COVID-19 patients to search for genetic mutations that make some people more vulnerable to severe infection.

Research Mar 05 2020
Resurrecting Ancient Protein Partners Reveals Origin of Protein Regulation

After reconstructing the ancient forms of two cellular proteins, scientists discovered the earliest known instance of a complex form of protein regulation.

Research Feb 06 2020
Fat Droplets Play Surprise Role in Metabolism

Cellular structures once thought to be inactive fat storage centers may actually help regulate metabolism.

Research Jan 30 2020
Uncovering the Neural Basis for Hypothetical Thinking in Rats

As a rat approaches a maze juncture, neural activity rapidly cycles between two sets of cells. The discovery suggests the rodents are envisioning turning left or right. A similar phenomenon may underlie how humans make decisions.

Research Jan 22 2020
Unveiling the Biggest and Most Detailed Map of the Fly Brain Yet

Janelia and Google scientists have constructed the most complete map of the fly brain ever created, pinpointing millions of connections between 25,000 neurons. Now, a wiring diagram of the entire brain is within reach.

Science Forward
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