Research Laboratory of Prof. Charles N. Serhan,
The Simon Gelman Professor at Harvard Medical School and
Director, Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury

Research Description
Dr. Serhan was appointed the first Endowed Distinguished Scientist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and currently serves as Director of the Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury (CET&RI) at BWH. He is a full Professor of Anaesthesia at Harvard Medical School and affiliated with the Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology. The research undertaken in the Serhan laboratory focuses on structural elucidation of bioactive molecules. The overall mission is "To identify novel pathways and cellular targets critical in regulating neutrophil-mediated inflammation and to establish the templates for physiologic small molecule-based interventions." In the CET&RI, the overarching mission is to define the molecular mechanisms underlying reperfusion injury and to identify novel therapeutic interventions that can prevent cell injury. The most recent studies undertaken in the Serhan laboratory focus on structural elucidation of novel molecules and pathways that serve as pro-resolving and/or endogenous anti-inflammatory chemical signals. The current focus is on elucidating lipid-derived as well as other autacoids that are involved in intracellular signaling and cell-cell signaling. We study acute inflammation in murine models as well as second organ injury following reperfusion. We have defined several previously unappreciated biochemical pathways that lead to pro-resolving, endogenous anti-inflammatory, and protecting compounds that appear to be components of the self-limited process of inflammation, a mechanism directed towards resolution.

To date, we have elucidated four novel molecular mechanisms and endogenous receptor ligand interactions that are used in vivo to dampen exuberant inflammatory responses. We have also designed novel therapeutic approaches using these structures as biotemplates. New drugs built with the knowledge of these biochemical signaling pathways could be more potent and better tolerated since they are based on structures of endogenous natural compounds. The overall goal of research in the Serhan Laboratory is to understand the cellular and biochemical pathways involved in resolution and anti-inflammation so that we can better control the level of inflammation, its duration and pain associated with a wide range of diseases and injuries. See:

Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury Website

Graduate Program at Harvard Medical School

Ongoing projects in which students and fellows can be involved include:

1) evaluating the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in second organ reperfusion injury, inflammation, and resolution

2) the structural elucidation of novel lipid-derived signals and small molecules involved in "stop signaling" in human leukocyte-vessel cell interactions
(see schemes)

3) the link between cell-cell interactions and the generation of pain termination signals

4) the role of transcellular biosynthesis in signaling molecules and cell-cell interactions during anti-inflammation and pro-resolution

5) the impact of focal chronic inflammation (i.e. periodontal disease, second organ injury) on systemic host defense and inflammatory sequelae

6) mechanisms involving lipid mediators in gene regulation during activation of the pro-resolution circuits

Lab Protocols:

"Lipoxin & Aspirin-triggered 15-epi-Lipoxin Related Methods & Physical Analyses",
by CN Serhan, K Gronert, CB Clish, B Levy and N Chiang

"Lipid Mediator Informatics and Proteomics in Inflammation Resolution",
by Y Lu, S Hong, K Gotlinger, and CN Serhan

Serhan Lab Personnel

Support Staff

Serhan Lab Personnel -  2005-07   2004   2003   2002

In the News:

Molecular Findings Show Fish Oil Is Not Just Snake Oil - February 2006
Resolvin E1: Potent Anti-inflammatory Agent Derived from EPA - March 2005
Controlling Inflammation: A Fat Chance? - March 2005
Oily Fish Helps Cut Inflammation - March 2005
Secret of Fish Oil's Healthy Effects Revealed - March 2005
Oily Fish Fosters Healthy Blood Fat - March 2005
Unraveling Inflammation; Society for Leukocyte Biology, 36th Annual Meeting - October 2003
Protein Components Identified in RNA Splicer - Sept 2002
Inflammatory Villain Turns Do-Gooder - Aug 2001
Inflammation Itself Signals A Halt To Mounting Immune Responses - July 2001
New Scientific Proof Uncovers Body's Link Between The Benefits of Eating Fish and Taking Aspirin - Discovery may pave the way for development of designer anti-inflammatory drugs with less side-effects - Oct 2000
Study Shows Inflammation Associated with Periodontal Disease May be Controlled - April 2000
How Aspirin Reduces Inflammation - Feb 1998
Aspirin's Action Leads to Better Anti-Inflammatory Agents - May 1997
Honors & Awards - Joan Claria - Sept 1996

Links:

Journal Covers of the Serhan Lab

Supplemental Information for Publications of the Serhan Lab