Science & Health

From uncovering how the immune system fights infection to developing new treatments for cancer, autoimmune diseases, and viral threats, Harvard researchers are advancing knowledge that strengthens global health, supports prevention, and improves lives for communities everywhere.

Harvard scientists have invented a new way to 3D print soft robots that can bend and grasp, laying the groundwork for applications ranging from surgical tools to assistive devices.

Harvard stem cell biologists have uncovered a method to grow the brain cells affected by ALS and spinal cord injuries, opening new paths for research and treatment.

Harvard researchers are redesigning robotic joints to improve efficiency and performance, paving the way for safer medical devices and more accessible assistive technologies.

For Maria Perez-Matos PhD ’25, the question of aging is not just about adding years to life, but about adding healthy years. She hopes her research on longevity will help ensure that individuals can experience a good quality of life until their final day.

Researchers at the Broad Institute, Harvard Medical School, Mass General Brigham, and Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine have developed small-molecule drug candidates that could potentially treat Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases.

A new study reveals five genetic patterns common to 14 major psychiatric conditions, offering fresh insights that could help improve precision in diagnosis and treatment.

In a first-in-human trial, a Harvard-developed biomaterial-based cancer vaccine proved safe and activated patients’ immune responses, marking a step forward for personalized cancer treatment.

Inspired by the muscular propulsion of jellyfish, which resembles the rhythmic motion of a heartbeat, Harvard’s Kit Parker is developing three-dimensional cardiac models for use in a future virtual model of the human heart.

One often-repeated example illustrates the mind-boggling potential of quantum computing: A machine with 300 quantum bits could simultaneously store more information than the number of particles in the known universe. Harvard scientists just unveiled a system that was 10 times bigger and the first quantum machine able to operate continuously without restarting.