Department of Medicine
Chemical Genomics of Neuropsychiatric & Neurological Disease
Contact Us
Center for Human Genetic Research - Haggarty Laboratory
Simches Research Center
CPZN-5242
185 Cambridge Street
Boston,
MA
02114
Phone: 617-643-3201
Fax: 617-643-3202
Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research - Haggarty Laboratory
Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT
7 Cambridge Center
Stanley Center, Room 511
Cambridge, MA 02142
Phone: 617-714-7624
Explore This Research Lab
Overview
Our multidisciplinary research program involves a combination of approaches including synthetic chemistry, neuroscience, and human genetics. Using this chemical-genomic approach, members of our research group invent new methods for finding small-molecule probes that target key components of the neurocircuitry, and then use these probes to selectively perturb neuronal network function at the molecular, cellular and circuit level. As a result of our work, we hope to develop novel, targeted therapeutics for treating neuropsychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, fragile X syndrome, and neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. We conduct this research program in close collaboration with other members of the Center for Human Genetic Research (CHGR) at MGH and the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research. We are also affiliated with the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI).
Our studies entail three general types of experimental approaches:
Small-Molecule Probe Discovery & Proteomic Characterization
Cellular and biochemical assays for screening small molecules, RNAi, and cDNA libraries are developed in order to enable discovery of agents targeting disease-relevant mechanisms and pathways identified by human genetics. Identification of targets and functional characterization of new molecular probes is performed using proteomic methods.
Neural Stem Cell-Based Models
Neural stem cells, including induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from reprogrammed somatic cells, are being developed for characterizing the function of disease genes and pathways. These cell lines will eventually provide genetically accurate models for high-throughput chemical screening.
In Vivo Animal Models
Small-molecule probes employing new mechanism of action are tested in animal behavioral models relevant to mood and memory disorders through collaborations with a variety of investigators interested in the development of novel therapeutics.
Group Members
Mass General Center for Human Genetic Research
Director, Chemical Genomics of Neuropsychiatric and Neurological Disease Program
Research Scientists
Surya Reis, PhD
Krista Hennig, PhD
Chialin Cheng, PhD
Research Technicians
Iren Kurtser, MSc
Stephanie Norton, BSc
Kraig Theriault, BSc
Broad Institute - The Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research
Director, Chemical Genomics of Neuropsychiatric and Neurological Disease Program
Research Scientists
Dan Fass, PhD
Jen Pan, PhD
MJ Kim, PhD
John Madison, PhD
Research Technicians
Josh Ketterman, MSc
Xiulin Liu, MSc
Catherine Luce, MSc
Research Projects
Chromatin-Mediated Neuroplasticity in Memory and Mood
The role of chromatin-modifying enzymes in regulating transcriptional programs important to memory and mood are being investigated. Efforts to develop CNS penetrant, isoform selective inhibitors of class I/class II histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone demethylases implicated in neuroplasticity and testing of these probes in vivo using behavioral models are underway.
GSK-3/β-Catenin in Neurotransmission
The role of GSK-3/ β-catenin in regulating pathways important to neuropsychiatric disease is being investigated. Inhibitors of GSK-3 are being tested in animal models of behavior and efforts to develop CNS penetrant, allosteric, ATP non-competitive inhibitors of GSK-3β through medicinal chemistry are underway. A collection of small-molecule modulators of GSK-3/β-catenin signaling have been identified through a panel of cell-based, high-throughput screens and the relevant targets are being identified using RNAi and proteomics.
Neural Stem Cell Models of Mental Illnesses
Genetically accurate neural stem cell models of mental illness are being developed in collaboration with the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and our genetics collaborators in Dr. Pamela Sklar’s laboratory at MGH. Patient-derived somatic cells with specific genomic abnormalities and haplotypes are being reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to enable discovery of disease-associated phenotypes as the basis for small molecule and RNAi screens as well as functional studies of these disease mechanisms.
Chemical Modulators of Neurotoxicity and Neurodegeneration
Small-molecule modulators of aberrant cell-cycle activity and DNA damage associated with neurodegeneration implicated in Alzheimer’s disease and LRRK2-mediated neurodegeneration implicated in Parkinson’s disease are being developed using cell-based and biochemical approaches.
Research Positions
Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Scientist Positions
The Haggarty Laboratory seeks highly motivated individuals to work in the area of chemical genomics of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders. This is a unique opportunity for working in a fast-paced, and highly collaborative, translational research group working at the interface of chemistry, biology, and therapeutic development.
Qualifications
MD and/or PhD in neurobiology, molecular biology, chemistry, or related field required. Must posses familiarity with mammalian cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, and molecular biology. Must posses excellent computer skills and ability to perform basic quantitative analysis of large data sets. Knowledge of programs such as Spotfire, PipelinePilot and GeneData would be preferred. More advanced statistics or programming skills a plus. Excellent critical thinking skills and attention to detail needed. Must be able to use sound judgment to effectively solve problems, work independently, and handle a variety of tasks. Requires effective oral and written communication skills along with meticulous laboratory technique and recording skills. Must be able to use discretion to organize workflow and to change methodologies to optimize work results and communicate effectively with all levels of staff to ensure that work supports team goals.
Interested applicants should send curriculum vitae and names of three references via email or postal mail to:
Stephen Haggarty, PhD
Center for Human Genetic Research
Massachusetts General Hospital
185 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02114 USA
e-mail:haggarty@chgr.mgh.harvard.edu
Undergraduate Students/Medical School Students
Students interested in a rotation or thesis project should contact Dr. Stephen Haggarty directly by emailhaggarty@chgr.mgh.harvard.eduwith a copy of their curriculum vitae and a statement of their research interest. Limited fellowships are available. Regretfully, we do not have the resources to support all applicants who apply.
Publications
View recent scientific publications from our laboratory. Some full text publications may require a subscription.Comprehensive list of publications by Stephen J. Haggarty on PubMed
Research at Mass General
Every day, our clinicians and scientists chart new terrain in biomedical research to treat and prevent human disease and advance patient care.
Our Collaborators
Learn more about our collaborators.