Dr. Jennifer Kohler's lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center studies glycoconjugates, which are complex sugar molecules found on cell surfaces. They explore how these molecules interact with pathogens like cholera toxin and how they vary from person to person, potentially influencing diseases and infection vulnerability. The lab develops innovative chemical biology tools to investigate these questions, helping to further our understanding of cell biology and disease processes.

Dr. Steven L. McKnight's lab focuses on understanding how certain proteins, made up of a limited number of amino acids, play crucial roles in cellular functions. These proteins, known as low complexity domains, are often disordered and involved in various cellular processes, including the formation of RNA-rich structures in cells. The lab's research aims to uncover the mechanisms by which these proteins assemble and regulate cellular activities, with implications for understanding diseases like neurodegeneration.

Dr. Margaret A. Phillips leads a research lab focused on developing new drugs to combat malaria, particularly in light of increasing drug resistance. Her team aims to optimize DHODH inhibitors, which can target a specific enzyme crucial for the malaria parasite's survival, using both computational models and experimental techniques. The goal is to identify safer and more effective compounds that are less likely to lead to drug resistance, thus improving treatment options for this life-threatening disease.

Dr. Joseph M Ready's lab studies how a specific enzyme, 15-prostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH), affects tissue healing and regeneration. They are developing small molecules that inhibit this enzyme, which could help treat various conditions involving tissue damage, such as inflammation and injury. Their research combines techniques from chemistry and biology to uncover how this enzyme functions and how its inhibition can promote recovery in the body.

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. 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. 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.

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. 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. Chuo Chen's lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center focuses on developing new drugs to treat cancer by targeting a specific cell signaling pathway known as Wnt/-catenin. This pathway is often dysfunctional in many cancers, particularly colorectal cancer, which affects thousands of people each year. The lab utilizes innovative chemical strategies and protein studies to understand how certain enzymes can control cancer growth and offer potential treatment solutions.

Jun Wu's research lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center focuses on innovative techniques to study brain development and evolution using interspecies models. The team employs a groundbreaking method called blastocyst complementation to introduce rat brain tissue into mice, allowing for the investigation of how different species' brains develop and function together. This research has significant implications for understanding neurological processes and potentially ethical considerations concerning human brain studies.