HHMI works every day to discover and share new scientific knowledge. Today, our mission takes on new urgency, as our scientists, educators, and staff contribute to the fight against COVID-19. This essential work includes efforts in diagnostic testing, understanding the basic biology of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, modeling epidemiology, and developing potential therapies or vaccines. Our science education teams are equipping educators with online teaching resources and supporting high-quality science journalism. Behind the scenes, our operations staff is busy helping to make it all happen. Here are some of our stories.
HHMI Investigator Vincent Tagliabracci
March 1, 2022
Before it can wreak havoc in human cells, the virus that causes COVID-19 must hide the tip of its genetic material. By delving into how the virus puts on this disguise, researchers have identified a unique way to fight it. Read more »
HHMI Investigator David Veesler
January 21, 2022
As teams of researchers around the world race to piece together a picture of the Omicron variant, they’re fast-tracking discoveries and transforming the way science is done. Read more »
HHMI Hanna H. Gray Fellow David Martinez
June 23, 2021
Mice that received a vaccine made from a hybrid spike protein resisted infection from several coronaviruses, researchers report. Read more »
HHMI Investigator Akiko Iwasaki
February 8, 2022
In mice, a vaccination strategy that uses an mRNA coronavirus vaccine injection followed by a nasal spray booster generates immune protection in the airways. Read more »
May 19, 2021
A new ‘long COVID’ study will examine vaccines' effect on patient symptoms. Read more »
July 2, 2020
Akiko Iwasaki presents a webinar on the immune response to SARS-CoV-2. Watch »
June 24, 2020
Data from COVID-19 cases around the world suggest that the new coronavirus hits men harder than women. Differences in men and women’s immune responses to the virus may help explain why. Read more »
HHMI Investigator Clifford Brangwynne
January 21, 2021
People taking cholesterol-lowering drugs may fare better than others if they catch the novel coronavirus. A new study hints at why: the virus relies on the fatty molecule to get past the cell’s protective membrane. Read more »
HHMI Investigator Michel Nussenzweig
November 11, 2020
People who have recovered from coronavirus can make potent antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 that evolve in the months after infection. These antibodies may be evolving in response to residual viral antigen hidden in the gut. Read more »
HHMI Investigator Jean-Laurent Casanova
September 24, 2020
Two new studies offer an explanation for why COVID-19 cases can be so variable. A subset of patients has mutations in key immunity genes; other patients have auto-antibodies that target the same components of the immune system. Both circumstances could contribute to severe forms of the disease. Read more »
March 24, 2020
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. Read more »
HHMI Investigator Peter Walter
September 8, 2020
Researchers have designed a molecule that sticks tightly to the coronavirus spike protein, preventing the virus from infecting cells. The molecule might someday be used in an aerosolized drug to treat or prevent COVID-19. Read more »
HHMI Investigator Anna Marie Pyle
August 31, 2020
The novel coronavirus uses structures within its RNA to infect cells. Scientists have now identified these configurations, generating the most comprehensive atlas to date of SARS-CoV-2’s genome. Read more »
HHMI Investigator Jesse Bloom
August 12, 2020
Scientists have analyzed every possible mutation to one key part of the coronavirus. The data could help guide vaccine and drug development and hint at how the virus might spread. Read more »
HHMI Investigator Robert Tjian
June 18, 2020
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. Read more »
HHMI Investigator Bert Vogelstein
May 20, 2020
A clinical trial in people with the new coronavirus is testing a drug that may halt an overactive immune response before it ramps up. Read more »
HHMI Investigator Aviv Regev
May 11, 2020
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. Read more »
HHMI Investigator Feng Zhang
April 24, 2020
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. Read more »
HHMI Investigator Britt Glaunsinger
April 16, 2020
In this webinar, HHMI Investigator Britt Glaunsinger discusses the molecular virology of coronavirus infection. Watch »
HHMI Investigator Kevan Shokat
April 7, 2020
A map of interactions between the novel coronavirus and human proteins is helping scientists identify drugs that might work as therapeutics. Read more »
HHMI Investigator Stephen Elledge
March 31, 2020
Using a research assay called VirScan, scientists plan to study how antibodies from people who have had the disease attack the virus. Read more »
HHMI Investigator David Baker
@foldit scientific discovery game
March 26, 2020
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. Read more »
Free Online Resources for Biology Courses
BioInteractive offers resources and strategies to support the move to online teaching and learning. These include materials about viruses, stories of scientists combatting epidemics, and activities for lab sections.
Science of COVID-19 Seminar Series
Organized by Janelia's Sarada Viswanathan and Loren Looger, the Science of COVID-19 seminar series brings in outside experts, covers papers and preprints, and highlights local efforts in testing, production, and analysis.
Support for Science Journalism
Our support of the Associated Press enables additional coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.
Additionally, we’re providing support to the National Geographic Society for its new emergency fund for coronavirus coverage.
