Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

From launching an AI platform for cell models to unveiling the Chicago Biohub’s real-time inflammation sensor, Priscilla Chan and CZI leaders share the breakthroughs shaping the future of biomedical research. #TeamCZI #Science #AI

Today, I’m proud to share a major milestone in our work at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative: the launch of our four scientific grand challenges—bold, ambitious efforts at the intersection of AI and biology to help scientists cure, prevent, and manage all disease. We are at a pivotal moment where the combination of AI and biology has the potential to transform how scientific research is done. These scientific grand challenges focus on unlocking new understanding of human biology and building the tools that will drive future breakthroughs: 🔬 Virtual Cell Modeling – Build an AI-based virtual cell model to predict and understand cellular behavior 🧠 Advanced Imaging – Develop novel imaging technologies to map, measure, and model complex biological systems 🔥 Real-Time Inflammation Monitoring – Create new tools for sensing and directly measuring inflammation within tissues in real time 🛡️ Harnessing the Immune System – Harness the immune system for early detection, prevention, and treatment of disease This work builds on nearly a decade of investment in science and technology at CZI and plays directly to our unique strengths as a biomedical research organization with cross-functional expertise and the ability to fund big bets over longer time horizons. To lead these scientific grand challenges, we’ve brought on board some of the foremost experts across biology, engineering, technology, and innovation (Shana Kelley, Andrea Califano and Scott Fraser, to name a few). Later this year, we will add another key leadership position to help accelerate CZI’s mission. In September, CZI will welcome Lori Goler as our first-ever president of CZI. Mark and I could not be more thrilled to bring on an exceptional leader like Lori who knows how to build great teams and scale ambitious initiatives. Her experience across strategy, operations, and technology, with leadership roles at Meta and eBay, make her a great fit for CZI. She will draw on this experience, along with nearly a decade of service on the Stanford Healthcare board, to expand our successful Biohub model and advance the four scientific grand challenges. Also, after nearly a decade with us, this September, our Head of Science, Stephen Quake, D.Phil., will be returning to the lab to continue his scientific research. Until then, he will serve as Chief Scientific Advisor to continue to advance our work and support a smooth transition. During his time here, Steve’s leadership has been transformative—from launching the Biohub Network and our AI compute cluster to attracting top talent in AI, imaging, and cell science. He’s made this next chapter possible, and Mark and I are deeply grateful for all he’s done—and, that he’ll continue to advise us as we move forward. #AI #Biology #BiomedicalResearch #SciTech

And that’s a wrap! Congrats to all the Breakthrough Prize laureates! Our co-founders helped create the Breakthrough Prize to champion science and inspire the next generation in STEM. From uncovering the role of B cells in multiple sclerosis to the collaborations at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider, the Breakthrough Prize winners have driven remarkable discoveries.

Dengue fever isn’t just a fever—it’s a dangerous disease spread by mosquitoes, and in 2023, Burkina Faso saw its worst outbreak in history. With over 154,000 suspected cases and 700+ deaths, health officials knew they needed better ways to diagnose and track infections. But here’s the challenge: Many fever cases were never confirmed in a lab, and some tested negative for dengue—suggesting that other diseases, like chikungunya, might have been spreading at the same time. That’s why a team of scientists from Burkina Faso trained at CZ Biohub SF, learning how to use metagenomic sequencing—a powerful genetic tool that helps detect all viruses in a sample, not just one. With this technology, they can identify outbreaks faster and help health officials act before diseases spiral out of control. #CZBiohubSF #science #InfectiousDisease #tech #research #TeamCZI

We’re thrilled to welcome our latest cohort of #CZBiohubNY Investigators—leading scientists from Columbia University, The Rockefeller University, and Yale University—who are developing new ways to characterize and bioengineer immune cells. Their research will push the boundaries of early disease detection, prevention and treatment, with implications for neurodegenerative disorders, aggressive cancers, and more. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish. #science #HealthResearch #research #TeamCZI

#AI doesn’t come with built-in teaching expertise, but it can be trained to reflect it. That’s why we built Knowledge Graph—to help developers build AI tools rooted in curriculum, academic state standards, and learning science. At SXSW EDU, Playlab and Leading Educators shared how they’re using it to build better tools for real classrooms. 🔗 Learn more: https://czi.co/447eDcm #EdTech #SXSWEDU

Open source software isn’t just about technology—it’s about making sure everyone can contribute to and benefit from scientific advancements. Dr. Daniel Blankenberg and the Galaxy Project team are on a mission to make complex biomedical analysis accessible to more researchers than ever before. By simplifying the integration of new tools into Galaxy, they’re empowering scientists around the world to conduct groundbreaking research. Galaxy is a community-driven project, composed of many individuals from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of interests and capabilities. This image is from the annual Galaxy Community Conference, held in 2019 in Freiburg, Germany. #Science #OpenSource #Software #SciTech #ComputationalBiology Photo by Bérénice Batut. 📸

We’re proud to share “Metamorphosis: Evolving Identities,” a new exhibit in the CZI Community Space that highlights the work of local artists exploring themes of transformation, identity and self-discovery. This fifth annual exhibition, hosted by the Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation, features a dynamic mix of emerging and established artists working across painting, sculpture, digital media and more. It’s free, open to the public and sticking around through spring 2026—come check it out if you’re in the neighborhood. #community #SanMateoCounty #BayArea #creativity #art

Big news! 🎉 Our San Francisco Biohub and Imaging Institute are joining forces to see the tiniest details of life down to the molecules that drive disease. Headed by Scott Fraser, a leader in biological imaging and CZI’s science grant-making program, this new collaborative science campus will develop cutting-edge imaging technologies that will revolutionize how scientists observe and understand life to help redefine what’s possible in biological imaging.

90% computational, 10% experimental. That’s where biology could be headed. In this video podcast, Eric Topol talks with Head of Science, Steve Quake & EPFL’s Charlotte Bunne about the ambitious goal of building a virtual cell—and how AI could transform research, medicine and beyond. Watch here: https://bit.ly/3FMXxq6