Balskus

For years, a mysterious bacterial toxin lurking in the human gut was suspected of driving colorectal cancer. Now researchers in a pair of Harvard labs have caught the toxin in the act of damaging DNA and creating the very sorts of mutations long...

At a meeting of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences on Feb. 6, 2024, the following tribute to the life and service of the late David Albert Evans was spread upon the permanent records of the Faculty. David Albert Evans was one of the most influential organic...

Like the human gut, the female genital tract is its own complex microbial ecosystem, where billions of beneficial bacteria make their home. The way Harvard chemist Emily Balskus sees it, the vaginal microbiome is an underappreciated, understudied part of...

The Harvard Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology has wrapped up its second annual High School Lab Skills summer intern program, providing an immersive learning experience for a group of local high school students to experience the world of cutting...

On June 1st, CCB kicked off the second annual High School Lab Skills Summer Research Program with “Match Day” at the Harvard Ed Portal in Allston. The afternoon highlighted the work of the six Brighton-Allston High School students enrolled in the program...

The microorganisms living in, on, and around us, collectively known as the microbiome, produce metabolites that affect our health. Some of these molecules are essential for our wellbeing, while others can harm us. Colibactin is an example of a toxin...

A hundred CCB community members joined the department’s first “virtual toast” to honor Emily Balskus By Caitlin McDermott-Murphy “We are here to celebrate Emily’s greatness.” That’s how Ted Betley, the Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical...

Recognized for harnessing chemistry to transform the study of microbial communities By Caitlin McDermott-Murphy Two plush microbes stare up at everyone who visits Emily Balskus’ office. One, a buttercup yellow, mimics the fuzzy hotdog-shaped E. coli...

Researchers discover mysterious bacteria that break down cholesterol in the gut By Caitlin McDermott-Murphy In the darkest parts of the world where light fails to block out the unfathomable bounty of the stars, look up. There are still fewer specks...