Dr. Abigail Sloan Devlin's lab at Harvard Medical School focuses on understanding the role of microbiome-derived sulfated metabolites in human health. Their research investigates how these compounds, produced by gut bacteria, can influence immune responses and potentially lead to new therapies for diseases like autoimmune disorders. By combining analytical chemistry and biological studies, the lab aims to uncover the identity and function of these metabolites and the bacteria that produce them.

Dr. Xinghui Sun's lab at the University of Nebraska Lincoln focuses on understanding how specific proteins influence liver and endothelial cell health. One major area of research investigates how matrin-3 affects liver inflammation and fibrosis, which are key aspects of metabolic diseases like steatohepatitis. Another focus is on the role of neddylation in maintaining the integrity of endothelial cells, which are crucial for vascular health. This research aims to uncover molecular mechanisms that could lead to new therapeutic strategies for liver ailments and vascular diseases.

Dr. Ramon C. Sun's lab at the University of Florida investigates the role of glycogen metabolism in various cancers and Alzheimer's disease. The team is particularly focused on understanding how glycogen influences tumor growth and treatment responses, aiming to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for Ewing's Sarcoma and lung adenocarcinoma. Their research employs advanced techniques like mass spectrometry imaging to study glycogen and complex carbohydrates in tumor samples, which could lead to personalized patient therapies.

The lab of Dr. Wesley I. Sundquist at the University of Utah focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind HIV-1 virus assembly and release from host cells. By studying the roles of specific host proteins and cellular pathways, the research aims to identify how HIV-1 exploits these mechanisms and how certain proteins can inhibit viral release. This research not only targets HIV but also provides insights into other enveloped viruses and potential therapeutic strategies against viral infections.

Dr. Ronald Swanstrom's lab at UNC Chapel Hill focuses on understanding how HIV evolves and interacts with both the host immune system and antiviral treatments. They study different strains of HIV, particularly the subtype C variant prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, to assess drug resistance and improve treatment outcomes. The research combines advanced machine learning techniques with biological assays to monitor viral changes and latency in the brain and other tissues.

Dr. S. Lawrence Zipursky's lab at UCLA studies how neurons in the brain form specific connections, which are crucial for behavior. By using the fruit fly Drosophila, the lab investigates the molecular mechanisms that dictate how different synapses are formed and how neurons choose their partners during the connection process. This research aims to understand and ultimately address the issues related to neurological and psychiatric disorders resulting from faulty synaptic connections.

Dr. Stewart Loh's lab at Upstate Medical University focuses on understanding systemic amyloidosis, a serious condition caused by misfolded proteins accumulating in various organs like the kidneys and heart. The lab uses innovative microfluidic devices that mimic kidney blood flow to study how shear stress affects protein misfolding and aggregation. The ultimate goal is to create early diagnostic tests using biosensors that can detect these protein aggregates in patients' blood and urine.

Dr. Moriah Szpara's lab at Penn State University focuses on understanding how genetic variation in the herpes simplex virus (HSV) affects disease outcomes in newborns. They investigate why some infants experience severe complications, like infection in the brain or other organs, while others have milder forms. The lab combines genomic analysis of viral samples with laboratory experiments and animal models to uncover links between viral genetics and clinical results, aiming to improve prevention and treatment strategies for high-risk newborns.

Dr. Savas Tay's lab at the University of Chicago focuses on how cells communicate and process information in complex environments. The lab combines experimental techniques with advanced technologies to analyze single cells, particularly in the context of immune signaling in health and disease. By understanding these processes, the research aims to improve therapies for various conditions, including cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Dr. Carol W. Greider's lab focuses on understanding how telomere lengths are regulated at the DNA level in yeast. Telomeres are critical for chromosome stability and their lengths influence aging and cancer. The lab uses innovative techniques, such as nanopore sequencing, to investigate the specific molecular mechanisms that determine telomere lengths across different chromosomes. Insights from this research could lead to new therapeutic approaches for age-related diseases and cancer.

The lab led by Dr. Carolyn Teschke focuses on understanding how viruses, specifically bacteriophages, assemble and interact with their host cells. By studying the assembly process of the P22 bacteriophage, the research aims to reveal critical details about viral protein interactions and the mechanisms employed by viruses during infection. This work has significant implications for developing new antiviral therapies and improving our understanding of virus-host dynamics.

Dr. Mathew J. Thayer's lab focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie Down syndrome and its link to early-onset Alzheimer's disease. By investigating the role of epigenetic regulation at critical genes on chromosome 21, the lab aims to elucidate how variations in gene expression may contribute to the symptoms associated with these conditions. This research not only advances our understanding of these diseases but also holds potential for developing new therapeutic strategies.

Dr. Zhijian Jake Tu's lab focuses on understanding the sex-determination mechanisms in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are known carriers of diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. The lab is investigating the M factor, a critical genetic component that dictates whether a mosquito becomes male or female, with the goal of developing innovative methods for controlling mosquito populations. By deciphering the sex-determining pathways, the research aims to create safe and effective strategies to combat mosquito-borne illnesses.

Dr. Ivet Bahar's lab focuses on understanding how proteins function through computational methods, particularly in relation to allosteric modulation and drug discovery. The lab uses cutting-edge techniques to model proteins and predict the effects of mutations, which can inform therapeutic strategies and precision medicine. They combine principles from physics, biology, and artificial intelligence to develop tools that are accessible to other researchers.

Dr. Kendra King Frederick's lab focuses on understanding the structures and behaviors of amyloid proteins, particularly alpha-synuclein, which are linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia. The research combines advanced imaging techniques to examine how these proteins form and propagate within different cellular environments, aiding in the development of better diagnostic tools and therapies.

Dr. Vern L. Schramm's lab focuses on developing targeted therapies for cancer based on understanding the mechanisms of enzymes involved in cell death. By studying specific enzymes, such as SAMHD1 and PNP, the lab aims to create effective drug combinations that can improve treatment outcomes for T-cell cancers. The research combines principles of chemistry and biology to design inhibitors that may help patients with resistant cancers.

Dr. Ernesto Jorge Fuentes' research lab at the University of Iowa focuses on understanding how the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus can survive and cause infections. They study specific signaling systems in these bacteria that help them adapt to challenging environments, such as low oxygen levels. The lab's goal is to uncover the molecular mechanisms that allow these bacteria to regulate their harmful factors, which could lead to new strategies for treating antibiotic-resistant infections.

Dr. Ryan A. Mehl's lab at Oregon State University focuses on advancing Genetic Code Expansion (GCE) technology to enhance biomedical research. The lab aims to make the engineering of proteins with non-canonical amino acids more accessible to a wider range of researchers, creating powerful tools for investigating diseases and developing new therapeutics. Through training and community engagement, the lab will ensure that these methods are widely adopted in the scientific community.

The lab led by Dr. Randy B. Stockbridge focuses on developing innovative treatments to combat early childhood caries (ECC), a significant dental health issue affecting millions of children globally. By studying how certain harmful oral microbes manage to resist fluoride treatment, the lab aims to create specialized fluoride efflux inhibitors that can enhance the effectiveness of fluoride therapies. The ultimate goal is to personalize dental treatments, making them more effective in reversing the dysbiosis associated with ECC.

Dr. Thierry Emonet's lab at Yale University studies how bacteria navigate through their environments using a process called chemotaxis. They are particularly interested in how different species of bacteria, like E. coli and Vibrio cholerae, respond to chemical signals and how these responses affect their ability to move collectively. By understanding these behaviors, the lab aims to provide insights into bacterial infections and the dynamics of microbial populations.