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The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, is taking steps to retract six scientific studies and correct 31 others conducted by its top researchers, including the CEO.
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Accusations of data manipulation, involving copy-and-paste methods in image editing software like Adobe Photoshop, have been raised by data sleuth Sholto David and colleagues on PubPeer, an online forum for research discussions.
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The alleged manipulation involves data figures, particularly Western blots, used for detecting and visualizing proteins in complex mixtures.
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DFCI Research Integrity Officer Barrett Rollins, acknowledging the accusations, stated the institute's commitment to a culture of accountability and integrity.
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The accused researchers include DFCI President and CEO Laurie Glimcher, Executive Vice President and COO William Hahn, Senior Vice President for Experimental Medicine Irene Ghobrial, and Harvard Medical School professor Kenneth Anderson.
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Rollins, who is also a co-author on two studies, recused himself from decisions involving those studies.
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An internal review by the institute identified 38 studies potentially manipulated by DFCI researchers, leading to the retraction of six studies and corrections sought for 31 others.
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Of the 19 studies identified by David, three were cleared of manipulation allegations, while 16 had data collected outside DFCI and are still under investigation.
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Rollins emphasized that finding false data and manipulated images doesn't necessarily imply scientific misconduct, and a careful examination is required to determine intent.
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Despite the simplicity of the methods used for manipulation, Rollins noted that errors can often be unintentional and may not amount to misconduct.