In Print

Graham Ramsay

MicroRNA Regulates Tumor Stem Cells
Most tumors harbor chemotherapy-resistant stem cells, thought to be responsible for the aggressive growth, spread, and recurrence of cancers. Chinese researchers Erwei Song and Fengyan Yu (right), working with Judy Lieberman (left), have identified a key genetic switch that gives breast cancer stem cells their deadly properties. Their finding, reported in the Dec. 14 Cell, implicates the microRNA let-7 in stem cell maintenance and suggests a much-needed strategy for killing cancerous stem cells using therapeutic RNAs.

Upcoming

Office of Enrichment Programs

Thursday, January 10
1–4:30 p.m.

Speakers:
• Joan Brugge
•Lior Braunstein
•Ruchira Jha
•Marie-Louise Meng

Lab Works

A multimedia site featuring Harvard Medical research.

Science Progress

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

Spotlight

Graham Ramsay

Brandt to Lead Harvard’ s GSAS
Allan Brandt, of the Department of Social Medicine at HMS, has been named the new dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Harvard, effective Jan. 1. He will succeed Theda Skocpol, who has served as GSAS dean since 2005.

Student Scene

Graham Ramsay

Broadening the Safety Net for Child Health
Joseph Ladapo explores the State Children’s Health Insurance Program—SCHIP—and the pitfalls to covering uninsured Americans.

StudenTalk

Personal takes on issues inside and outside the classroom.