Dr. David E. Olson's lab focuses on discovering new treatments for addiction by developing non-hallucinogenic compounds that can promote changes in brain structure and function. These compounds, known as psychoplastogens, could offer therapeutic benefits for conditions like substance use disorders without the side effects of hallucinations. The lab employs innovative techniques to rapidly identify and evaluate these promising molecules.

Dr. John P. O'Bryan's lab focuses on understanding how certain proteins, called RAS, contribute to cancer development. They are exploring new ways to inhibit these proteins using innovative synthetic molecules called monobodies, which can bind to RAS with high specificity. By studying how these molecules affect RAS function, the lab aims to identify new strategies for cancer therapy that directly target RAS mutations.

Dr. Lin He's lab at UC Berkeley studies the role of retrotransposons—genetic elements that can move around within the genome—in mammalian development and reproductive aging. Their research aims to uncover how these elements influence gene regulation during early embryo development and the aging process of female reproductive cells. By using advanced techniques like CRISPR and genomics, the lab investigates the functional significance of retrotransposon-derived promoters and how they can lead to alternative gene forms that impact cell functions.

Dr. Satish K Nair's lab at the University of Illinois studies natural products called RiPPs, which are created from simple peptide sequences and have various medical applications. The lab focuses on understanding how certain enzymes transform these peptides into active compounds that can fight diseases like cancer and infections. By investigating the structure and function of these enzymes, the research aims to develop new and improved therapeutic drugs.

Dr. Lynne Maquat's lab at the University of Rochester explores how cells manage their RNA molecules, particularly focusing on a process called nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). This process helps eliminate faulty RNA that could result from genetic errors and is crucial for maintaining healthy gene expression. The lab's research aims to understand how disruptions in these RNA processes could relate to diseases like fragile X syndrome and various muscle disorders.

Elizabeth Gavis's lab at Princeton University studies how messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are controlled during the development of fruit flies (Drosophila). They focus on understanding how mRNAs are localized and regulated to ensure that proteins are produced in the right place and at the right time during embryonic development. Their research has implications for understanding diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, as the rules governing mRNA behavior can reveal why these processes go wrong in various health issues.

Dr. Dmitri N Ivanov's research focuses on understanding how a protein called SAMHD1 helps the body's immune system fight against HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS. This protein regulates the levels of deoxynucleotides, which are vital for various cellular functions including DNA repair. His lab studies the biochemical properties and regulatory mechanisms of SAMHD1 to explore how it can enhance antiviral defense in non-dividing immune cells.

Dr. Wallace Marshall's lab at UCSF focuses on understanding how cells determine their shapes and structures, which are crucial for their functions. By studying model organisms and employing techniques from both biology and engineering, they investigate how cells sense and respond to changes in their geometry. Their research has important implications for understanding diseases where cell structure is altered, such as cancer.

Dr. Xiaochen Bai's lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center focuses on understanding how receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) signal in cells and exploring new therapies involving the STING protein, critical for immune response to cancer. The lab combines advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy, biochemistry, and cell biology to investigate the complex mechanisms of RTK activation and to develop innovative cancer treatments. By designing new types of therapies that can manipulate these signaling pathways, this research aims to improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients.

Chaolin Zhang's research lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding how RNA molecules and their binding proteins regulate gene expression, especially in the brain. They study alternative splicing, a process that generates diverse proteins from a single gene, which is crucial for the function of different neuronal cell types. Their work aims to map regulatory elements that control this splicing and investigate how alterations in these processes can lead to neurological disorders and other diseases.

Dr. Amy H Andreotti's lab focuses on understanding the signaling pathways that control T cell activation and differentiation, which are crucial for immune responses to infections and cancer. The lab aims to uncover how variations in T cell receptor (TCR) signaling strength affect gene expression and ultimately influence the behavior of T cells. By exploring the role of the ITK kinase, the lab seeks to improve therapeutic strategies related to autoimmune diseases and cancer.

Dr. Peter Kaiser’s lab at UC Irvine studies two major areas: how cells communicate environmental signals through ubiquitin signaling and the reactivation of mutant p53 proteins in cancer. By examining metabolism and its effects on the cell cycle, as well as developing therapies for cancer that target p53, the lab aims to uncover important mechanisms underlying cell growth, disease, and potential treatments.

Dr. Paul R. Thompson's lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School focuses on the study of protein citrullination, a process that can be problematic in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. The lab aims to develop innovative chemical tools to better understand how this modification affects cell signaling and explore potential new treatments for these serious health conditions. By identifying how citrullination changes protein activity, they seek to uncover its role in disease progression and find targeted therapies.

Dr. Summer B. Thyme's lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School focuses on understanding and treating Down syndrome, a condition that often leads to intellectual disabilities. Using zebrafish as a model, the lab investigates the genetic factors from human chromosome 21 that contribute to brain development and function. By screening for small molecules that can counteract the effects of these genes, the lab aims to find potential drug therapies to improve outcomes for individuals with Down syndrome.

Dr. Monika Gulia-Nuss's research focuses on understanding the biology of ticks and the pathogens they transmit, such as those causing Lyme disease. The lab is developing advanced genetic techniques, particularly using CRISPR/Cas9, to create genetically modified ticks that can help scientists study how ticks transmit diseases. This work aims to improve tick control strategies and enhance our knowledge of tick biology at the molecular level, ultimately contributing to public health and agricultural advancement.

Dr. Irina Tikhanovich's lab focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). The research aims to investigate how certain liver cells signal to aid in the resolution of fibrosis after alcohol withdrawal. By studying the role of the Acute Phase Response, the lab hopes to develop new therapeutic strategies to improve liver recovery among patients with ALD.

Roberto Tinoco's lab at UC Irvine focuses on understanding how specific proteins regulate T cell responses during chronic viral infections like HIV and HCV. The research aims to uncover the mechanisms by which T cells become exhausted and explore potential therapies to reinvigorate these immune cells. Overall, the lab seeks to enhance our understanding of T cell behavior and develop new treatment approaches for chronic infections and cancers.

Dr. Yunsun Nam's lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center focuses on understanding how exposure to toxic heavy metals, like arsenic and cadmium, affects RNA modifications in cells. These modifications play a critical role in gene regulation, and the lab investigates how heavy metals disrupt these processes, potentially leading to harmful health effects like cancer. The research aims to reveal the molecular mechanisms behind these disruptions and their implications for cellular function and disease pathology.

Dr. Cedric Feschotte's lab at Cornell University studies transposable elements (TEs), which are DNA sequences that can change their position within the genome. These elements are critical for understanding evolution and genetic variation, as they can influence gene expression and contribute to cellular functions. By examining the role of young TEs in human and zebrafish development, the lab aims to uncover their significance in processes like embryonic growth and pregnancy, potentially leading to new insights into diseases such as neurodevelopmental disorders and complications during pregnancy.

Dr. Donald C. Rio's lab at UC Berkeley focuses on understanding DNA transposons and their roles in gene expression, especially through a process called alternative pre-mRNA splicing. Their research explores how these mobile genetic elements impact human health and development, including their contributions to diseases like ALS. By studying these processes in model organisms like Drosophila and through advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy, the lab aims to uncover critical insights into gene regulation that could lead to biomedical advancements.