Studying the Biology of Adversity at the Broad Institute featuring Jason Buenrostro

Life experiences, including stress and adversity, can have a lasting impact on many aspects of human biological systems and processes, including immune function, brain development, cardiovascular function, and more. Many epidemiological, psychological/psychiatric, and social sciences studies have explored these connections, but much of the biology underlying them is unknown.

In the Biology of Adversity Project at the Broad Institute, core institute member Jason Buenrostro and his colleagues are working to uncover biological pathways affected by a wide range of life experiences and to identify measurable markers of biological responses — including both negative health outcomes and resilience — to challenging life experiences.

By discovering and characterizing the long-lasting changes to specific genes, cell types, and pathways, they aim to fuel the development of diagnostic tools that could help identify people at risk of negative health outcomes and allow them to access care that will improve their health.

For more information, visit: Biology of Adversity Project