Dr. Celia A. Schiffer's lab focuses on understanding and preventing drug resistance in infectious diseases and cancer. They explore how mutations in drug targets can lead to resistance and how to design better drugs that maintain their effectiveness. Using a combination of experimental and computational methods, including machine learning, the lab strives to create innovative strategies for drug development that can overcome the challenges posed by rapid evolution of pathogens.

The Schumacher lab at Duke University focuses on unraveling the molecular mechanisms behind protein-nucleic acid interactions in biology. Their research investigates how certain bacteria sense their environment and develop, as well as how they can cause disease. One of their key projects aims to understand the virulence of Francisella tularensis, which causes tularemia and is a potent bioweapon. By exploring these biological processes, the lab hopes to identify new targets for developing antibiotics, especially against drug-resistant bacteria.

Dr. Irina Serysheva's lab focuses on understanding how calcium signaling in cells is regulated, particularly through a protein called inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R). By studying how this receptor works at a molecular level, the lab aims to uncover its role in various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease. The research combines advanced techniques in structural biology and biophysics to develop insights that could lead to new treatments for conditions caused by calcium signaling dysfunction.

Dr. Sanja Sever's research focuses on understanding how specific proteins, particularly the proteolytic fragment of the soluble urokinase receptor (suPAR), contribute to kidney disease and diabetes. By studying how this fragment affects both kidney podocytes and pancreatic beta-cells, her lab aims to uncover new therapeutic targets that could help treat chronic kidney disease and Type 1 diabetes. The work is particularly relevant as these conditions are on the rise and can lead to serious health complications.

Dr. Vallabh Shah's lab focuses on improving the health and well-being of Zuni elders through fall prevention strategies. By adapting traditional physical therapy programs to meet the cultural needs of Native elders, the lab aims to empower this community to reduce the risks associated with falls and support aging in place. This research not only addresses health disparities but also fosters collaboration and cultural understanding between the Zuni Pueblo and health services.

Dr. Sarah H. Shahmoradian's lab focuses on understanding how the aggregation of a protein called TDP-43 causes damage to nerve cells, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS. By studying how TDP-43 alters the structures in neurons known as P-bodies, the lab aims to uncover new mechanisms of neurotoxicity and identify potential markers for age-related dementia. Through advanced imaging and sequencing techniques, the research could offer insights into treating these debilitating conditions.

Dr. Ali Shilatifard's lab focuses on understanding how mutations in chromatin modifiers like MLL4 contribute to cancer, especially bladder cancer. His research combines biochemical studies with pre-clinical trials to explore how these mutations can inform targeted therapies and improve patient treatment options. By studying specific mutations and their effects, the lab aims to develop biomarkers for better cancer diagnostics and treatment strategies.

Dr. James Shorter's lab at the University of Pennsylvania is focused on developing innovative RNA-based therapies to combat neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS. Their research explores how short RNA molecules can prevent harmful changes in a protein called TDP-43, which is involved in many neurodegenerative disorders. By understanding and manipulating the behavior of TDP-43, they aim to create effective treatments that restore normal protein function and protect neurons from degeneration.

Dr. Samuel K Sia's lab focuses on creating innovative diagnostic tools that are both environmentally friendly and efficient. One of their key projects involves developing biodegradable materials for microfluidic devices, which can help reduce waste in medical testing. Another major aim is to create a rapid and user-friendly test for hepatitis C that combines sample preparation and testing into one quick process, making it easier for patients to get diagnosed and treated in a single visit.

Dr. Thomas J. Silhavy's lab at Princeton University focuses on understanding how Gram-negative bacteria, like E. coli, construct and maintain their outer membrane. This work is crucial because the outer membrane acts as a protective barrier, and better understanding its biology can lead to new antibiotic treatments that target these bacteria. The lab studies various proteins and mechanisms involved in outer membrane biogenesis and transport, with an aim to uncover how these processes can be manipulated for potential therapeutic applications.

Dr. Jeffrey Scott Smith's lab at the University of Virginia studies how aging affects the stability of specific regions of DNA, particularly those that produce ribosomal RNA. The lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind DNA damage and repair, especially how certain proteins can both cause and prevent genomic instability. By using yeast and human cell models, the research aims to uncover fundamental insights into how DNA maintains its integrity during the aging process, which could have implications for health and longevity.

Dr. Weizhe Hong's lab at UCLA focuses on understanding the neural circuits that govern social behaviors, particularly allogrooming, which is grooming directed towards another individual. This research is crucial because it aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms that influence social interactions, which can be disrupted in conditions like autism and schizophrenia. By analyzing specific brain areas like the medial preoptic area (MPOA), the lab seeks to understand how these circuits control social behaviors and their relevance to mental health.

Dr. Tobin R Sosnick's lab at the University of Chicago focuses on understanding how proteins, especially membrane and disordered proteins, work and fold. They use advanced techniques to study how these proteins transport molecules across cell membranes and how they behave under stress. This research is not only foundational for biology but also has practical implications for drug development and understanding disease processes.

Dr. Rui Zhao's research lab focuses on understanding the complex process of pre-mRNA splicing, which is crucial for gene expression in eukaryotes. By studying the spliceosome, a large RNA/protein complex, the lab aims to uncover how errors in splicing can lead to genetic disorders and other diseases. Research in this lab combines structural, biochemical, and genetic approaches to fill knowledge gaps regarding splicing mechanisms and their implications for human health.

Dr. Stefan Stamm's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how specific modifications in RNA, particularly circular RNAs (circRNAs), contribute to Alzheimer's disease. The lab studies how these modifications might lead to the production of proteins that influence the disease process, particularly in relation to tau protein aggregation, a key feature of Alzheimer's pathology. By exploring the mechanisms behind these RNA modifications, the lab hopes to unveil new aspects of Alzheimer's disease that could lead to novel therapeutic strategies.

Dr. Gary S. Stein's lab focuses on understanding how genome organization and epigenetic control influence gene expression, particularly in breast cancer. By exploring the interactions between epigenetic modifications and nuclear organization, the team aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment. The lab employs advanced techniques to study both normal and cancerous breast cell behaviors and their response to various treatments.

Dr. Klemen Strle's lab focuses on understanding Lyme disease, particularly why it affects people differently. They research the role of specific microbial proteins in causing excessive inflammation, which can lead to severe symptoms and complications. By studying these proteins in both human samples and mouse models, they aim to identify potential biomarkers for patients at risk of more severe disease and develop better treatment strategies.

Dr. Kevin Struhl's lab at Harvard Medical School focuses on understanding how genes are expressed in eukaryotic organisms, linking these mechanisms to human diseases. The research primarily investigates the processes of mRNA production, stability, and how specific RNA sequences affect gene regulation. Through innovative experiments and techniques, the lab aims to uncover the fundamental roles of transcription and mRNA processing in genetics and biological function.

The Stukenberg lab at the University of Virginia focuses on understanding how chromosomes are accurately separated during cell division, a process that goes awry in many cancers. They have discovered that a protein complex called the Chromosome Passenger Complex, which includes Aurora B kinase, is crucial for this regulation and can form special structures that help with this accuracy. Their research aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind these processes and explore new cancer therapies based on their findings.

Dr. Hei Sook Sul's lab at UC Berkeley is focused on understanding how certain genes are activated in brown fat cells to help regulate body temperature and energy expenditure. The team studies a specific protein called UCP1, which plays a crucial role in burning fat to produce heat. By exploring how the activity of UCP1 is regulated, the lab aims to uncover new strategies for treating obesity and related metabolic diseases like diabetes.