Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory At the center of life science research and education for over 130 years. program and other educational offerings.
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We are organized into six divisions:

Research: Generates knowledge that will yield better diagnostics and treatments for cancer, neurological diseases, and other major diseases, and that will lead to improved and more diverse food resources and more efficient biofuels. School of Biological Sciences: Trains the next generation of scientists through an innovative Ph.D. Meetings and Courses: Brings together more than 11,000 scientists each year from around the world to present and evaluate new data and ideas in biological research. Banbury Center: Provides a crossroads where scientists discuss important topics in molecular biology, human genetics, and science policy, among others. DNA Learning Centers: Educates the public about genetics through the nation’s first science centers dedicated to this purpose. CSHL Press: Publishes invaluable materials for the worldwide scientific community and the public.

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a rare, fatal, genetic disorder that causes progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the bra...
02/27/2026

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a rare, fatal, genetic disorder that causes progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain, deteriorating a person’s physical and mental abilities usually beginning between ages 30 and 50.

It leads to devastating physical, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms — including involuntary “dance-like” movements (chorea), dementia, and profound personality changes.

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s 2019 Double Helix Medal honoree, Nancy Wexler, learned at 23 that she was at risk for Huntington’s disease. She turned that moment into a life’s mission — leading groundbreaking research in a Venezuelan community that helped identify the HD gene mutation and paved the way for today’s genetic test.

Coming March 10 from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, renowned geneticist Nancy Wexler shares her extraordinary personal and scientific journey in "My Life, My Science: Pursuing a Cure for Huntington’s Disease".

A powerful story of persistence, discovery, and hope. Available for pre-order from Amazon now: https://amz.cx/3c1w

Because breakthroughs in rare disease begin with basic biology.

provides individuals and groups with a unique opportunity to advocate for those living with lesser-known conditions.Bo...
02/26/2026

provides individuals and groups with a unique opportunity to advocate for those living with lesser-known conditions.

Both the Christina Renna Foundation Inc.'s annual Angel's Wish Gala and Rare Disease Month shine a light on Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a rare pediatric cancer that accounts for approximately 3% of childhood cancer cases. At this year’s gala, CSHL Professor Christopher Vakoc was honored for his commitment to RMS research and dedication to uncovering the disease’s cellular vulnerabilities.

We are grateful for our partnership with the Christina Renna Foundation, which continually allows our scientists to dive deeper into these lesser-known diseases.
https://www.cshl.edu/powered-by-community-driven-by-science/

02/25/2026

Think a 280-character limit is small? CSHL's Ben Cowley in collab with Princeton Neuroscience Institute and Carnegie Mellon University, has recreated the visual system of the macaque - a species of monkey whose brains are much closer to humans-using an AI model that fits in an email. Punch approves! (And who knows? It could help explain what he sees in that stuffed orangutan!)

What if the key to understanding the brain wasn’t bigger AI- but smaller AI? https://www.cshl.edu/ai-monkey-brains-and-the-virtue-of-small-thinking/

Earlier this month, we were happy to welcome guests from Stroll magazine to campus for an evening of science, art, and c...
02/23/2026

Earlier this month, we were happy to welcome guests from Stroll magazine to campus for an evening of science, art, and conversation. The highlight of the night was a fascinating lecture from Assistant Professor Arka Banerjee, Director of Research Leemor Joshua-Tor, Assistant Professor Kate Alexander, and Assistant Professor Ben Cowley exploring aphantasia—the striking variation in how people visualize mental images. When you close your eyes and imagine an apple, do you truly see it, or simply understand the concept? Do you see total darkness or a perfect image? Or something in between? The discussion sparked lively exchanges about perception, cognition, and how brain research continues to reshape our understanding of human experience.

Photos courtesy of: Erin Rechler of Erin Rechler Photography

For , we’re spotlighting innovation at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.Cystic fibrosis (CF) is more than a diagnosis — it...
02/20/2026

For , we’re spotlighting innovation at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is more than a diagnosis — it’s a daily reality for about 40,000 people in the U.S. and 100,000+ worldwide. This rare, inherited disease affects the lungs and digestive system, making every breath and every day harder than it should be.

CSHL Professor Adrian Krainer — who helped develop Spinraza — is now advancing A*O technology to help CF cells produce functional CFTR protein, paving the way for more personalized treatments.

means hope.

February marks the anniversary of MASQ sequencing, a highly sensitive sequencing method that could have real-world impac...
02/20/2026

February marks the anniversary of MASQ sequencing, a highly sensitive sequencing method that could have real-world impact. While just one piece of a much larger story, it is a testament to the knowledge-sharing culture at CSHL. Swipe to learn more about the discovery.

02/19/2026

Deep neural networks (DNNs) are invaluable for predicting the results of genomic experiments, but there isn’t a gold standard for testing how confident they are in their answers. Enter DEGU, a new AI tool courtesy of CSHL’s Koo lab, that distils the predictive power of multiple DNNs into a single, much more manageable model. DEGU-trained models make better predictions and provide better explanations of those predictions, at a fraction of the overall cost, than models trained using standard methods.
https://www.cshl.edu/degu-debuts-with-better-ai-predictions-and-explanations/

Excited to launch our new Behind the Name series—spotlighting the 50+ CSHL facilities along the hilly shores of Cold Spr...
02/18/2026

Excited to launch our new Behind the Name series—spotlighting the 50+ CSHL facilities along the hilly shores of Cold Spring Harbor.

In each post, we’ll share who each building was named after, their contributions, and how the space is used today.

Did you know part of CSHL’s main campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places? From its original vision as a “village of science” to the cutting-edge research happening here today—there’s a story behind every name.

First up is the Beckman Laboratory in honor of Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Education Week:

Dedicated in 1991, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Laboratory was designed to kickstart CSHL’s search for the seat of memory. The Laboratory honors scientist and inventor Dr. Arnold O. Beckman and his wife Mabel, whose generous support was instrumental in getting construction off the ground. Today, Beckman houses CSHL neuroscientists exploring the inner workings of the brain, the origins of neurodevelopmental disorders, and conditions like Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Schizophrenia.

“We believe the most effective way to advance progress is to support the work of the finest scientific minds on the plan...
02/17/2026

“We believe the most effective way to advance progress is to support the work of the finest scientific minds on the planet at the world’s leading research institutions,” said Ed Strohm, Executive Director of the Strohm Foundation and a member of CSHL’s Corporate Advisory Board. Since 2017, the Strohm Foundation has supported cancer research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, contributing more than $115,000 to advance discoveries with meaningful patient impact. Founded in 1999 as the Three Strohm Sisters Family Foundation, the organization remains deeply committed to supporting the world’s leading scientific minds. We are grateful for the Foundation’s continued partnership and shared commitment to accelerating breakthroughs.

Photo from 2022: Edward J. Strohm flanked by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory CEO Dr. Bruce Stillman, Meaghan Sunderland of the Canadian Consulate NY, Brian Sharkey Grand Council of United Emerald Societies and Brian Sullivan Nassau County Correction Officers Benevolent Association.

02/17/2026

For most men, is treatable. However, in some cases, it resists all known therapies, including androgen deprivation therapy — medical castration. Now, molecular biologist Lloyd Trotman has found a new way to kill metastatic prostate cancer cells, stop the disease's spread, and prolong life. He's done it in mice. Now, he's trying to do it in humans. The next step would be a special kind of clinical trial called a window-of-opportunity study. For Trotman, it's the culmination of 20 years of intensely dedicated research. For thousands of men around the world, it's the first and most crucial step toward finding a cure. Support this initiative at give.cshl.edu, because

As we recognize Alzheimer’s & Dementia Education Week, we’re thrilled to share a Newsday feature story: "Alzheimer’s dis...
02/16/2026

As we recognize Alzheimer’s & Dementia Education Week, we’re thrilled to share a Newsday feature story: "Alzheimer’s disease discovery: Cold Spring Harbor research with key protein improves memory in mice with symptoms.”

CSHL Professor Nicholas Tonks and team found that blocking a protein called PTP1B improved learning and memory in an Alzheimer’s mouse model—pointing to a promising new therapeutic target.

“The goal is to slow Alzheimer’s progression and improve quality of life,” says Tonks.

Read the full article at the link here: https://www.newsday.com/news/health/alzheimers-disease-brain-protein-mice-improved-memory-o32ntsm3

Love is where you find it, and the Beyaz lab found it in the form of a heart-shaped cell and a heart-shaped organoid! Wh...
02/14/2026

Love is where you find it, and the Beyaz lab found it in the form of a heart-shaped cell and a heart-shaped organoid! Wherever you may find love—let it in. Happy Valentine's Day from CSHL.

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1 Bungtown Road
Cold Spring Harbor, NY
11724

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+15163678800

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Our Story

We are organized into six divisions: Research: Generates knowledge that will yield better diagnostics and treatments for cancer, neurological diseases and other major diseases, and that will lead to improved and more diverse food resources and more efficient biofuels.

DNA Learning Centers: Educates the public about genetics through the nation’s first science centers dedicated to this purpose.

Watson School of Biological Sciences: Trains the next generation of scientists through an innovative Ph.D. program and other educational offerings.

Meetings and Courses: Brings together more than 11,000 scientists each year from around the world to present and evaluate new data and ideas in biological research.