Ensuring State-of-the-Art Facilities

Pioneering basic science research depends on cutting-edge technologies. Our world-class technical facilities are key to our scientists’ ability to ask insightful questions and pursue detailed answers that advance knowledge on health and disease. 

That is a good news/bad news situation: Whitehead Institute has state-of-the-art scientific equipment and systems; but research technologies are continuously moving forward -- getting better and faster, and regularly introducing wholly new capacities. Indeed, our researchers’ discoveries and new investigative strategies often drive development of new technologies and expanded uses for current systems.

Maintaining and upgrading our eight shared technical facilities is a never-ending process that requires continuing investment. Our Functional Genomics Platform, for example, must respond to the steadily growing opportunities created by the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system for finding the specific genetic drivers of disease -- and for identifying targets for therapeutics. And the Metabolite Profiling Core Facility is key to the continuing growth of Institute studies on the role of metabolism in cancer, diabetes, and the fundamental aging process -- and our leadership in development of metabolism-focused strategies for preventing or treating disease.

Donors’ gifts in any amount can help ensure that our technologies continue to be state-of-the-art. And donors can name an individual Institute core facility with endowment gifts beginning at $2,000,000.