Dr. W Todd Lowther's lab at Wake Forest University focuses on understanding how certain compounds in our diet contribute to kidney problems, especially in patients with primary hyperoxaluria. The lab is working on developing new drugs that can block the breakdown of hydroxyproline, a component of collagen, which can lead to the production of harmful oxalates and kidney stones. Their innovative approach combines laboratory experiments with computational techniques to design effective treatments and explore how these new drugs work at a molecular level.

Dr. Edward E Luk's lab at Stony Brook University focuses on understanding unique structures of chromatin, which are crucial for regulating gene expression and cellular processes. By studying specific histone variants and their roles in transcription and chromatin formation, the lab aims to uncover how these structures impact cellular behavior and may be linked to diseases like cancer. The research involves advanced biochemical techniques and models to explore these processes at a molecular level.

Dr. Humam Kadara's lab focuses on understanding how specific lung cells evolve into cancerous cells due to tobacco exposure. By studying the genetic and inflammatory changes that occur in lung tissues, the lab aims to uncover new ways to prevent lung adenocarcinoma, especially in smokers. This research is critical for developing early intervention strategies to combat this common type of lung cancer.

Dr. Natalia Kedishvili's lab focuses on understanding how specific enzymes influence inflammation in the lungs through their interactions with lipid mediators known as oxylipins. The research explores how the enzyme DHRS9 affects the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signals, which is important for healing injuries and controlling inflammatory responses. By studying this enzyme, the lab aims to uncover potential new treatments for inflammatory diseases of the lungs.

Dr. Kristen W. Lynch's lab focuses on understanding how a specific protein kinase called TAO2 affects RNA processing and viral replication, particularly during Influenza virus infection. By exploring the interactions and functions of TAO2 in cellular environments, the lab aims to uncover new strategies for controlling viral infections and enhancing our understanding of RNA splicing mechanisms. This work combines genetics, biochemistry, and advanced imaging techniques to make significant implications for viral biology and cellular function.

Dr. Roberto Zoncu’s lab at UC Berkeley focuses on how cells sense nutrients and signals through lysosomes, which are essential for cellular health and metabolism. They study the role of the mTORC1 protein in diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration, aiming to discover new therapeutic strategies. By exploring how cholesterol interacts with lysosomes, the lab aims to uncover mechanisms leading to kidney cancer and neurodegeneration, particularly in conditions like Niemann-Pick type C disease.

Dr. Krzysztof A Fidelis leads a research lab focused on improving our understanding of macromolecule structures, which are crucial for biology and medicine. His work, primarily through the Critical Assessment of Structure Prediction (CASP) program, involves using advanced computational techniques, including deep learning, to predict protein structures. By participating in a global research community, the lab aims to enhance methods for modeling complex biological systems relevant to drug design and disease mechanisms.

Dr. Rinku Majumder's lab focuses on understanding how a protein called Protein S regulates blood coagulation, particularly its interaction with another protein, Factor IXa. By studying these interactions, the lab aims to create new treatments for conditions that lead to excessive blood clotting, which can result from deficiencies in Protein S. Their research combines molecular biology with biochemistry to explore potential therapeutic options for patients at risk of thrombotic disorders.

The Mann lab at Columbia University studies how certain genes, known as Hox genes, control the identities of different body parts in fruit flies, which helps us understand how animals develop. They combine techniques from genetics, biochemistry, and genomics to decipher the roles of these genes at a very detailed level. Through this research, they also explore the mechanisms that could be relevant to human diseases caused by gene regulation issues, like cancer and diabetes.

Dr. Ronen Marmorstein's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on understanding how enzymes involved in metabolism, particularly ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY) and various acetyltransferases, contribute to cancer and other diseases. They study the molecular mechanisms behind how these enzymes are regulated and their role in producing important cellular metabolites. Their work aims to develop new drugs for cancer therapy by targeting these enzymes effectively.

Dr. William F. Marzluff's lab at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill focuses on understanding the tumor suppressor protein p53, especially its function outside the nucleus. The lab investigates how p53 can regulate important cellular processes like apoptosis and autophagy in the cytoplasm. By studying mutant forms of p53 modeled after bat genetics, the team aims to uncover novel regulatory mechanisms that could influence cancer treatment and aging.

Dr. Selma Masri's research lab focuses on understanding how disruptions in our body's internal clock, known as the circadian clock, can influence the development of colorectal cancer, particularly in younger adults. The lab investigates how these disruptions impact cellular changes in the intestine, metabolism, and immune responses that may contribute to cancer progression. Through innovative mouse models and patient-derived samples, the lab aims to identify new prevention and treatment strategies for colorectal cancer.

Dr. Timothy McGraw's lab focuses on understanding how incretin hormones, specifically GIP and GLP-1, control metabolism in the body. These hormones are important for regulating insulin secretion and sensitivity, with potential applications in treating diabetes, heart disease, and even neurodegenerative disorders. The lab develops mouse models to explore the molecular mechanisms of GIP receptor signaling, which could lead to improved therapies targeting these hormones.

Dr. Julien Berro's lab explores how physical forces impact cellular processes such as endocytosis, which is how cells take in nutrients and communicate. By developing innovative force sensors and protein engineering techniques, the lab aims to understand the mechanics behind these processes at a molecular level. This research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for diseases like cancer and metabolic disorders by leveraging mechanical signals to influence cell behavior.

Joan C. Mecsas's lab focuses on understanding how bacterial pathogens manipulate immune cells to evade responses during infections. The research particularly looks at neutrophils, which are crucial for fighting infections, and specialized intestinal cells called M cells, which help trigger immune responses. By investigating how the bacterium Yersinia pseudotuberculosis interacts with these cells, the lab aims to uncover new strategies to enhance immune responses and combat diseases caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria.

Dr. Leonid V. Medved's lab at the University of Maryland Baltimore focuses on the protein fibrinogen and its role in vital processes like inflammation and blood clotting. The lab investigates how interactions between fibrin and receptors on cells impact inflammation and angiogenesis—the formation of new blood vessels—which are critical in wound healing as well as in diseases like cancer. They aim to develop new therapies that could potentially treat conditions caused by these processes.

Erwin London's lab explores the intricate structure and function of cell membranes, focusing on how the composition of lipids affects cellular processes and responses. Using innovative techniques, the team investigates how the organization of membrane lipids influences the behavior of membrane proteins, particularly receptors that play crucial roles in cellular signaling. The lab's research has implications for understanding disease mechanisms and improving vaccine design.

Dr. Jingshi Shen's lab at the University of Colorado studies how cells regulate the movement of proteins within their membranes, which is essential for proper metabolic function. They specifically focus on how vesicle fusion—a process where small membrane-bound packages merge with larger membranes—affects glucose transport and insulin response in human cells. Research in this lab aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms of metabolic disorders like insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, which could ultimately lead to new treatment strategies.

Dr. Matthew E. Merritt's lab at the University of Florida focuses on developing advanced imaging techniques to study brain metabolism, particularly how the brain utilizes glucose for energy. The team is investigating new magnetic resonance imaging methods that can enhance the detection of metabolic processes in the brain, which could lead to better understanding and diagnosis of neurological diseases, including cancer. Their research aims to provide safer, non-invasive imaging alternatives to current methods, enabling repeated studies in various populations.

The lab led by Prof. Oliver Fiehn at UC Davis focuses on enhancing the field of metabolomics, which studies the unique chemical fingerprints that cellular processes leave behind. One of their main projects aims to create a cloud-based database called LC-BinBase that standardizes the analysis of metabolomics and lipidomics data, enabling better reproducibility across different laboratories and instruments. By developing advanced algorithms and offering workshops for collaboration, the lab is striving to improve the quality and usability of metabolic data for biomedical researchers.