Tag: Dong Feng Chen

  • Health

    Barrier found to nerve regeneration

    Scientists have long dreamed of prompting adult neurons of the central nervous system to regenerate. But these cells have the deck stacked against them in several ways. Molecules from the myelin sheath surrounding their axons actively discourage growth. After injury, nearby astrocytes form a dense scar to block them. Even the signals that once guided…

    1–2 minutes
  • Campus & Community

    Scientists reveal key clue to how HIV infects cells

    Harvard researchers have shown for the first time the critical “before” structure of an AIDS virus protein that plays a key role in the virus’ infection of cells. The protein, called gp120, is responsible for binding to target immune system cells. Once the protein binds to the cell, it changes its shape, allowing a second…

    1–2 minutes
  • Health

    Schepens scientists regenerate optic nerve for the first time

    In earlier research, Dr. Dong Feng Chen, lead author of the study, assistant scientist at Schepens Eye Research Institute and an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Harvard Medical school, and her team discovered several processes that they believed “locked up” the optic nerve’s ability to regenerate. The first lock was the turning off of the…

    1–2 minutes