Charles N. Serhan

Charles N. Serhan

Simon Gelman Professor of Anaesthesia
Charles N. Serhan
Research in the Serhan laboratory focuses on structural elucidation of bioactive small molecules that activate the resolution of acute inflammation. Our overall mission is “To identify novel mediators, pathways, and cellular targets critical in promoting resolution of inflammation and reperfusion tissue injury and their relation to human disease.” Our studies currently focus on structural elucidation of novel molecules and pathways that serve as pro-resolving and/or endogenous anti-inflammatory chemical signals. We elucidated several new families of lipid-derived, local-acting chemical mediators, coined the Resolvins and Protectins, and most recently Maresins, that stimulate resolution of inflammatory responses. We also designed novel therapeutic approaches using these structures as biotemplates. New therapeutic approaches built with the knowledge of these signaling pathways could be more potent, selective and better tolerated since they are based on structures naturally evolved in these processes. Several of these new designer therapeutics have already been shown to be effective in human disease.

Contact Information

Brigham and Women's Hospital
Building for Transformative Medicine, Suite 3-012
60 Fenwood Road
Boston, MA 02115
p: 617-525-5001

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