Scientists at Janelia work together in multidisciplinary teams to solve challenging biological problems that are difficult to address in other research settings.

Many lab spaces at Janelia feature modular designs and natural light.

Credit: Brad Feinknopf

Occupying 689 wooded acres along the Potomac River, Janelia Farm provides a variety of services and facilities to support its diverse community of scientists and staff—inside and outside the lab.

A view of the Janelia Farm Research Campus at dusk.

Credit: Brad Feinknopf

The Janelia Farm model frees scientists of constraints commonly found in other research environments, providing access to world-class resources and a talented support staff.

Graduate scholar John Tuthill prepares a Drosophila specimen for imaging.

Credit: James Kegley

In addition to our resident scientists and fellows, we offer visiting scientists, graduate, and undergraduate candidates a range of scientific programs.

Graduate scholar Arbora Resulaj (left) and her mentor, Janelia Fellow Dmitry Rinberg (right).

Credit: James Kegley

Janelia Farm regularly hosts scientific meetings, ranging from workshops to intensive, specialized conferences. See what's coming up and visit the archive of past events.

Janelia's large auditorium seats 250 people.

Credit: Matt Staley

Janelia provides outstanding employment opportunities, at all levels.

Credit: James Kegley

Many tools developed in Janelia Farm labs are made freely available to outside researchers, while others are taking shape through collaborations with industry, academia, and government.

A virtual arena for the study of flight in insects.

Credit: James Kegley

Janelia’s sense of community comes from a core belief that people of diverse disciplines and backgrounds can accomplish great things when working with a common purpose.

Research specialist Trevor Wardill (left) and group leader Vivek Jayaraman (right).

Credit: James Kegley

Public Events

Overview

Tim Harris, Director of Janelia's Applied Physics and Instrumentation Group, spoke to more than 400 members of the public about building microscopes and imaging science.

Janelia Farm’s public lecture series introduces members of the community to biomedical research.

The series began in September 2007 with a lecture from internationally renowned physician-scientist and HHMI Investigator, Huda Y. Zoghbi, who shared her experiences with patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases and her continuing efforts in the laboratory to develop therapeutic treatment options. Since then, we have hosted seven public lectures. Lectures now occur four times each year.

Upcoming Events

Building Better Medicines: Drug Discovery in the 21st Century

Roger Perlmutter - February 15, 2012, 7:00 p.m

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Janelia Farm Research Campus invite the public to attend the eleventh in a series of lectures called "Dialogues of Discovery at Janelia Farm." Roger Perlmutter, executive vice president for Research and Development at Amgen, will deliver a lecture titled "Building Better Medicines: Drug Discovery in the 21st Century" at Janelia Farm in Ashburn, Virginia.

The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. A short question-and-answer period will follow Perlmutter's talk. Light refreshments will be served.

Seating in the main auditorium is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis so please find your seat early. Overflow seating will also be available.

For general information about this lecture, contact Jared Bajkowski at bajkowskija@hhmi.org or 301-215-8632.

For press inquiries, contact Jim Keeley at keeleyj@hhmi.org or 301-215-8858.

Order TIckets

Tickets are free and can be ordered here.

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Directions to Janelia Farm Research Campus

The Janelia Farm Research Campus is located on Route 7 in Ashburn, directly opposite the entrance to Ashburn Village. You will be directed to a designated parking area when you arrive.

View Map

2012 Dialogues of Discovery Schedule

February 15, 2012 - Roger Perlmutter, EVP, Research and Development, Amgen

May 9, 2012 - Karel Svoboda, JFRC/HHMI

July 31, 2012 - Paul Nurse, The Royal Society/Head of UKCMRI

December 12, 2012 - Eric Betzig, JFRC/HHMI

Past Dialogues of Discovery Events

Previous Dialogues of Discovery events have featured talks by prominent scientists including:

Sean B. Carroll, vice president for science education at HHMI:
"Remarkable Creatures: Epic Adventures in the Search for the Origins of Species"

Thomas R. Cech, former president of HHMI and HHMI investigator at the University of Colorado, Boulder:
"RNA Enzymes and the Origins of Life"

Roian Egnor, fellow at Janelia Farm:
"Whistling in the Dark: What Can Mouse Vocalizations Tell Us About the Brain?"

Ronald M. Evans, HHMI investigator at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies:
"Unlocking Ability: What Can Research Teach Us About Exercise?"

Timothy Harris, director of the Applied Physics and Instrumentation Group at Janelia Farm:
"Seeing the Brain in Action: A Toolmaker's Perspective"

Anthony Leonardo, group leader at Janelia Farm
"Constructing Reality: What Illusions Tell Us About the Mind"

Gerald M. Rubin, HHMI vice president and executive director of Janelia Farm:
"The Fly Brain and Yours — Closer Than You Think"

Leslie Vosshall, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at The Rockefeller University:
“Bitten: Why Do Mosquitoes Bite Some People and Not Others?”

Huda Y. Zoghbi, HHMI investigator at Baylor College of Medicine:
"The Path to Understanding and Treating Neurological Diseases"

Charles S. Zuker, HHMI investigator at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and senior fellow at the Janelia Farm Research Campus:
"Common Sense About Taste — From the Tongue to the Brain: How We Transform Sensation into Perception"