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Enteric neurons reside within the gut, so numerous that they have been referred to as "the body's second brain". Within the muscle walls of the colon, clusters of enteric neurons form a neural net (myenteric plexus) that contributes to various GI functions, including gut motility, sensing, and secretion. Enteric neurons signaling through nitric oxide (nNOS) are labeled in green. In magenta are sensory nerve fibers that release the neuropeptide CGRP. Cell nuclei are labeled in blue.
Beauty of the Brain
Stunning research images submitted by Harvard affiliated scientists for our annual Beauty of the Brain image contest. Learn more >
photo of david ginty
David Ginty Awarded 2026 Brain Prize
The Brain Prize is the world’s largest neuroscience research prize, awarded each year by the Lundbeck Foundation. Read more >
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Humans of HBI
Interviews profiling faculty, fellows, students, and staff working in the Harvard neuroscience community.Humans of HBI
Human brain organoid showing the integration of excitatory (magenta) and inhibitory neurons (green) of the cerebral cortex
Seeding Solutions for Bipolar Disorder
The Harvard Gazette spotlights the HBI Bipolar Disorder Seed Grant Program and the projects of 2025 grantees Paola Arlotta, Nao Uchida, and Louisa Sylvia.Read more
Enteric neurons reside within the gut, so numerous that they have been referred to as "the body's second brain". Within the muscle walls of the colon, clusters of enteric neurons form a neural net (myenteric plexus) that contributes to various GI functions, including gut motility, sensing, and secretion. Enteric neurons signaling through nitric oxide (nNOS) are labeled in green. In magenta are sensory nerve fibers that release the neuropeptide CGRP. Cell nuclei are labeled in blue.
Beauty of the Brain
Stunning research images submitted by Harvard affiliated scientists for our annual Beauty of the Brain image contest. Learn more >
photo of david ginty
David Ginty Awarded 2026 Brain Prize
The Brain Prize is the world’s largest neuroscience research prize, awarded each year by the Lundbeck Foundation. Read more >
humans of hbi slider image
Humans of HBI
Interviews profiling faculty, fellows, students, and staff working in the Harvard neuroscience community.Humans of HBI
Human brain organoid showing the integration of excitatory (magenta) and inhibitory neurons (green) of the cerebral cortex
Seeding Solutions for Bipolar Disorder
The Harvard Gazette spotlights the HBI Bipolar Disorder Seed Grant Program and the projects of 2025 grantees Paola Arlotta, Nao Uchida, and Louisa Sylvia.Read more

2026 BIPOLAR DISORDER SEED GRANTS

We are excited to announce the 2026 HBI Bipolar Disorder Seed Grant awardees! Congratulations to Mark Andermann (BIDMC and HMS), Chinfei Chen (BCH and HMS), Ovidiu Andronesi (MGH), Aapo Nummenmaa (MGH), Randy Buckner (Harvard FAS), Isaac Chiu (HMS), Brielle Ferguson (BCH and HMS), Maria Lehtinen (BCH), Kyoko Ohashi (McLean), Martin Teicher (McLean), Kanaka Rajan (HMS), Dragana Rogulja (HMS), and Clifford Saper (BIDMC).

Community Stories

How Different Neurons Shape Myelination in the Cerebral Cortex
Nuria Domínguez-Iturza and Paola Arlotta present new research describing the molecular signals that promote myelination in the cerebral cortex and show that these signals are expressed at varying levels across neuronal types. Their findings reveal how neuronal diversity shapes myelin development, providing new insights into brain development and disease.
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Researchers Publish First Complete Connectome of Fruit Fly Brain and ‘Spinal Cord’
In a first, a large, international team led by Rachel Wilson, Wei-Chung Allen Lee, Jan Drugoswitsch, Mala Murthy (Princeton) and colleagues, co-first authors Alexander S. Bates, Jasper S. Phelps, Minsu Kim, and Helen H. Yang, has published a complete wiring diagram of all the connections between neurons in the central nervous system of an adult fruit fly.
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Fruit Flies Can Be Guided to Interact With a Ball
Kenichi Iwasaki shares the highlights of two recent studies exploring the use of fruit flies in research probing the neural mechanisms of object interaction. This work includes the development of a behavioral study paradigm where fruit flies are guided to interact with a small plastic ball and found to manipulate it with great dexterity.
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Upcoming Events

HBI 101 Talk
September 15, 2026
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Location: Warren Alpert 236
Save the date! More info coming soon. 
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