Dr. Owen Pornillos' lab focuses on understanding how certain proteins called TRIM5 proteins protect cells against viruses like HIV. They study the structure of these proteins and how they interact with viral components to prevent infection. Through advanced techniques, their research aims to uncover the details of how TRIM5 proteins function, which could lead to new ways to combat HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Sergi Regot's lab at Johns Hopkins University focuses on cancer research, particularly how certain genetic changes within tumors can affect cancer growth and response to treatment. They are exploring a protein called TRIM37 and its role in making some cancer cells more vulnerable to specific therapies that target a protein involved in cell division. The aim is to find new ways to treat aggressive cancers, such as breast cancer and neuroblastoma, that show genetic alterations.

Dr. Binhua P Zhou's lab focuses on understanding and combating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly aggressive form of cancer with poor prognosis. The research aims to investigate how a specific enzyme, nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), helps TNBC cells survive under stress and contributes to their spread in the body. By targeting NNMT with specially designed inhibitors, the lab seeks to develop new treatment strategies to improve outcomes for patients with TNBC.

Dr. Jean X Jiang's lab focuses on developing innovative treatments for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an especially aggressive form of breast cancer that disproportionately affects younger patients and women of color. The lab is working on creating novel drugs that target adenosine receptors to inhibit tumor growth and enhance anti-tumor immunity. By employing advanced technologies in drug design and testing in animal models, the aim is to generate effective therapies that improve the survival of patients with this challenging disease.

Dr. Joshua T Mendell's lab focuses on understanding how specific modifications to transfer RNA (tRNA) impact the growth and spread of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), a type of kidney cancer. The lab investigates a newly discovered mechanism where altered tRNA modifications can change the way cancer cells metabolize energy, potentially leading to increased metastasis. By combining expertise in RNA biology and cancer research, the lab seeks to uncover new therapeutic targets for treatment.

Dr. Sarah A. Stanley's lab focuses on understanding how the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) suppresses the human immune system, which allows for chronic infections. The lab investigates two key components, the ESX-1 secretion system and a lipid called PDIM, to see how they work together to evade the immune response. By studying these mechanisms in mouse models, the lab aims to uncover new potential therapies to combat tuberculosis, one of the deadliest infectious diseases.

Dr. Tudorita Tumbar's lab at Cornell University focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular organization of the skin's inter-follicular epidermis, particularly how it renews and repairs itself. The research looks at how different types of skin cells behave and interact, particularly under conditions like UV exposure. The lab also investigates the mechanisms of gene regulation in skin cells, offering insights into how genes are expressed during skin development and healing. Overall, the work aims to shed light on how skin maintains health and responds to injury.

Dr. Michel Dupage's lab focuses on understanding how regulatory T cells (Tregs) hinder the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies. By studying the mechanisms through which Tregs suppress the immune response within tumors, the lab aims to develop targeted therapies that can enhance anti-tumor immunity while minimizing autoimmune side effects. This research is crucial for improving cancer treatment options and making immunotherapies more effective for patients.

The lab led by Dr. Kit S. Lam focuses on developing innovative therapeutic strategies to enhance cancer treatment, specifically by targeting the tumor microenvironment using transformable nanoparticles. By utilizing a unique platform that adjusts its structure in response to specific tumor markers, the lab aims to deliver treatments that activate the immune system against cancer while minimizing damage to normal tissues. Their research is particularly relevant to the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Dr. Thomas J. Kodadek's research lab at the University of Florida focuses on discovering new small molecules that can interact with proteins, particularly those involved in the Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS). His team employs cutting-edge DNA-encoded library technology to identify compounds that can manipulate protein degradation pathways, which are essential for maintaining cellular health. Their innovative approach aims to develop drugs that can enhance the body's ability to remove damaged or misfolded proteins, thereby opening new avenues for treating diseases linked to aging and degeneration.

Professor Rachel Klevit's lab at the University of Washington studies how proteins are modified by a process called ubiquitylation, which affects their function and stability in cells. This research is important for understanding various human diseases, including cancer, as the modification of proteins can influence cellular processes such as growth and stress responses. The lab focuses on the proteins involved in this modification process and aims to uncover new therapeutic targets to address these diseases.

Dr. Russell E. Vance's lab at UC Berkeley focuses on understanding how the bacteria Shigella causes disease. By developing a new mouse model that mimics human infection, the lab investigates the immune response and key cellular players that contribute to disease severity and resolution. Their research has significant implications for public health, particularly in combatting diarrheal diseases that affect millions worldwide.

Dr. Hideki Aihara's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding how viruses replicate and invade host cells. By studying the molecular structures of various viruses, including retroviruses like the Human T-cell Leukemia virus and coronaviruses, the lab aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new antiviral treatments. The research also explores gene delivery methods, which can be helpful in both therapy and research applications.

Dr. Yi Ren's lab at Vanderbilt University is delving into the mechanisms of mRNA nuclear export, focusing on how the SARS-CoV-2 Nsp1 protein inhibits this process to enhance viral replication. The lab aims to uncover how this viral protein interacts with host cellular machinery and how understanding these interactions can lead to new antiviral strategies. Their research combines techniques from biochemistry, cell biology, and structural biology to provide insights into both fundamental cellular processes and viral pathogenesis.

Professor Andrea Soranno's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2, specifically how its nucleocapsid protein packages the viral genome. By employing techniques like single-molecule fluorescence and force spectroscopy, the lab aims to reveal the biophysical interactions that drive genome compaction, which is crucial for the virus's life cycle. Their work not only seeks to explain how coronaviruses function but also to identify potential therapeutic agents that could disrupt these processes.

Dr. Brian Volkman’s lab at the Medical College of Wisconsin focuses on understanding the protein interactions and signaling mechanisms involved in chronic pancreatitis and the evolution of metamorphic proteins. His team investigates how specific chemokines like CCL28 influence inflammation in the pancreas, potentially leading to cancer, and develops new proteins that can switch their structure to perform different functions. The ultimate goal is to identify novel therapies that could mitigate chronic inflammation and improve treatments for pancreatic diseases.

Dr. Ashani T Weeraratna's lab focuses on understanding how aging affects melanoma, particularly the way dormant cancer cells can reactivate and spread. The research examines how aged tissues impact tumor behavior and treatment resistance through specific signaling pathways. This work aims to identify new strategies to prevent cancer recurrence, especially in older patients, enhancing the effectiveness of existing therapies.

Dr. Michael Aaron Weiss's lab focuses on creating and studying new types of insulin that can help treat Type 1 diabetes more effectively and safely. They are particularly interested in how changes in the structure of insulin can improve its function and reduce side effects, such as low blood sugar. The lab uses advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy to analyze insulin's behavior and develop analogs that respond to glucose levels in the body, potentially transforming diabetes management.

Gary Wessel's lab at Brown University focuses on understanding how primordial germ cells are formed and regenerated during early development in animals like sea urchins and sea stars. Unlike mammals, these unique organisms allow the lab to study germline biology with advanced techniques that reveal insights into sexual reproduction and regeneration. The research aims to decode the mechanisms behind germ cell formation and explore ways these processes can be innovatively manipulated in the lab.

Robert T. Wheeler's lab at the University of Maine Orono focuses on understanding how certain strains of Candida yeast cause vaginal infections (VVC) in some women while remaining harmless in others. The lab investigates the mechanisms by which these fungal strains can trigger inflammation and lead to painful symptoms, aiming to identify specific virulence factors that could improve diagnosis and treatment options. Their innovative approach combines genomic analyses and in vitro assays, which may ultimately transform the way we view and manage candidiasis.