Biology

Explore breakthroughs in biology from Harvard and beyond—discoveries in genetics, ecosystems, health, and the science of life.

Four Labrador puppies—two black and two yellow—sitting in green grass.

What Do Puppies Know?

Canine capabilities emerge early and continue into adulthood.

by Schuyler Velasco

A close-up of a beetle on the textured surface of a cycad cone and cycad cones seen in infrared silhouette.

Research in Brief

Cutting-edge discoveries, distilled

by Jonathan Shaw

Purple violet flower with vibrant petals surrounded by green foliage.

Bees and Flowers Are Falling Out of Sync

Scientists are revisiting an old way of thinking about extinction.

by Andrés Muedano

An axolotl with a pale body and pink frilly gills, looking directly at the viewer.

Regenerative Biology’s Baby Steps

What axolotl salamanders could teach us about limb regrowth

by Saima Sidik

A bioengineered virtual human heart overlaid with jellyfish-like structures, symbolizing cardiac designs inspired by jellyfish motion

From Jellyfish to Digital Hearts

How Harvard researchers are helping to build a virtual model of the human heart

by Olivia Farrar

A worm-like creature known as the "velvet worm" rears as if looking at the camera

Creepy Crawlies and Sticky Murder Weapons at Harvard

In the shadows of Singapore’s forests, an ancient predator lies in wait—the velvet worm.

by Olivia Farrar

Harvard's Andrew Knoll stands smiling at the camera, wearing a black shirt

Five Questions with Andrew Knoll

A paleontologist on how to understand Earth’s biggest extinction event

by Olivia Farrar

Professor David Liu smiles while sitting at a desk with colorful lanterns and a figurine in the background.

This Harvard Scientist Is Changing the Future of Genetic Diseases

David Liu has pioneered breakthroughs in gene editing, creating new therapies that may lead to cures.

by Veronique Greenwood

What Makes the Human Mind?

Biological anthropologist Marc Hauser explores what he terms “humaniqueness”

Best Friend Bests Chimp

How domestication allows animals to communicate with humans 

by Christopher Reed