In Print

Graham Ramsay

Zero Discovered in Code Controlling Gene Expression
HMS researchers Yang Shi (left) and Fei Lan have discovered a whole new cipher to the histone code. It appears that not only the presence but also the absence of chemical groups on histone tails can act as markers that may influence gene expression. They found that BHC80, a protein component of the histone demethylase LSD1, only recognizes the unmethylated histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4). Shi believes that the protein acts as a placeholder for LSD1, keeping other enzymes from remethylating the histone and changing the chromatin state.

Upcoming

Public Health Symposium

Meeting Children’s Needs in a World with HIV/AIDS: An International Symposium

Monday, Sept. 24
8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Speakers:
•Peter Piot
•Noerine Kaleeba
•Jim Kim
•Linda Richter

Lab Works

A multimedia site featuring Harvard Medical research.

Spotlight

Harvard Grants Provide Gap Funding, Accelerate Research
The first recipients of grants from the Technology Development Accelerator Fund were recently announced by Harvard’s Office of Technology Development (OTD). The fund supports development of new technologies in the life sciences generated by Harvard investigators. Out of the six projects chosen overall from 27 applications, five originated from HMS and totaled $1.2 million in support.

Student Scene

Rachel Eastwood

How Stark Should the Stark Laws Be?
The Stark Laws prevent physicians from referring patients to services in which the doctor has a financial stake. But these policies also hinder innovation and entrepreneurship, says Jason Sanders, and limit consumer choices.

StudenTalk

Personal takes on issues inside and outside the classroom.

Science Progress

A new HMS site tracing progress in health care through funding, science, and discovery.