Dr. Jie Jiang's lab at Emory University studies the effects of genetic mutations linked to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), focusing specifically on the KIF5A gene. They investigate how a mutation in this gene leads to nerve cell degeneration. The lab uses various models to explore how altered protein functions and transport mechanisms contribute to the disease, aiming to discover new treatment avenues for ALS.

Dr. Rhoda Au's lab focuses on understanding and preventing Alzheimer's disease through innovative digital technologies. They aim to develop continuous cognitive assessment tools that can detect changes in cognitive health before more severe symptoms emerge. Using data from studies such as the Framingham Heart Study, the lab combines advanced imaging techniques with digital biomarkers to better identify individuals at risk of Alzheimer's and tailor personalized interventions.

Jessica Mozersky's lab at Washington University focuses on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) research, particularly on how to effectively communicate biomarker results to older adults. The lab is exploring new blood tests that identify preclinical AD and evaluating safe and understandable methods for returning these results to participants. This is crucial in the context of emerging treatments for AD, aiming to enhance engagement and compliance among older adults.

Dr. Michael Koob's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on developing advanced mouse models to better understand Alzheimer's Disease. By replacing mouse genes with their human counterparts, the lab aims to recreate the genetic and physiological aspects of Alzheimer's in a controllable laboratory setting. This research is important for identifying how specific genetic variations influence the disease and for developing new therapeutics.

The Roussarie lab at Boston University Medical Campus focuses on understanding how specific genes and microRNAs influence vulnerability to Alzheimer's disease. Their research investigates the role of miR-129-2, a microRNA that may help protect neurons in the entorhinal cortex from neurodegeneration related to Alzheimer's. By mapping its expression patterns and studying its effects on tau accumulation, the lab aims to identify potential therapeutic targets to mitigate early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Tal Nuriel's lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding how long-term infections with herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in individuals with a genetic predisposition (APOE4 allele). The research aims to reveal the complex interactions between viral infection and brain function, which may lead to new treatments for preventing or slowing Alzheimer's disease in at-risk populations.

Dr. Andrew Teich's lab focuses on understanding how Alzheimer's Disease affects brain structure and function, particularly in elderly patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus. By examining brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid from surgical patients, the lab investigates the role of immune responses in the brain and how they relate to cognitive decline. This research aims to identify biomarkers that could help predict outcomes in Alzheimer's patients, thereby improving clinical care.

Dr. Thomas J. Montine's lab at Stanford University focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias. The lab employs advanced technologies, including innovative single-cell analyses and machine learning, to identify specific neuronal vulnerabilities and develop new therapeutic targets aimed at preventing or treating these conditions. Their research integrates genetic, anatomical, and pathological insights to provide a comprehensive view of AD and its impact on synaptic function.

Dr. Ulland's lab focuses on understanding how a substance called beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) can impact the progression of Alzheimer's disease. They explore how BHB may alter brain pathology and cognition through its effects on the microbiome and immune response. This research is aimed at uncovering new therapeutic strategies to help combat Alzheimer's disease, which affects many older adults.

Dr. Kyung Bo Kim's research lab at Florida International University is focused on developing new treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD). They are specifically exploring a novel class of drugs that inhibit the immunoproteasome, which may help improve cognitive deficits associated with AD without relying on the traditional targets of amyloid-beta and tau proteins. The lab aims to identify and characterize macrocyclic peptide compounds that can effectively cross the blood-brain barrier and demonstrate prolonged activity in the brain.

Dr. Gaya K. Amarasinghe's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding how certain viruses, specifically bunyaviruses and filoviruses, interact with their host cells to cause disease. This research aims to identify the key proteins and pathways involved in viral entry and pathogenesis, which could lead to the development of new therapeutics against these emerging infectious diseases. The lab combines techniques from biochemistry, virology, and molecular biology to explore these interactions in detail.

Dr. Kenichiro Taniguchi's lab studies the formation of the amniotic membrane, which is crucial for human pregnancy. They use advanced models to explore how certain molecular signals influence the development of amniotic cells. By examining both human stem cells and primate embryos, their research aims to uncover the mechanisms that control early embryonic development and improve our understanding of fertility issues.

Dr. Deborah J Andrew's research lab focuses on understanding how specific proteins influence the formation and function of organs using the Drosophila salivary gland as a model. By investigating the roles of transcription factors in organ development, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms that guide tissue morphogenesis and physiological specialization. This research has implications for understanding human organ development and diseases such as cancer.

Dr. Allison Michelle Andrews' lab focuses on understanding the intersection of synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyls, and HIV, especially in the brain. Researchers investigate how fentanyls affect the blood-brain barrier and contribute to HIV replication, while also developing innovative imaging techniques to study HIV reservoirs in the central nervous system (CNS). The aim is to better comprehend how these factors interact and impact health, especially for people living with HIV.

Dr. Amy E. Moran's lab investigates how the androgen receptor affects T cell function, particularly in the context of cancer immunotherapy. They are exploring the mechanisms by which this receptor influences T cell behavior and its implications for improving treatment outcomes in cancers like prostate cancer. The research integrates animal models and chromosome-level analysis to better understand these processes and potentially augment immunotherapy effectiveness.

Eduardo Martin Torres's lab investigates how an abnormal number of chromosomes affects cell function, particularly in Down syndrome. Their research seeks to understand the mechanisms that link aneuploidy (having an incorrect number of chromosomes) to developmental and aging-related issues in patients. The team focuses on cell structure, especially the nuclear membrane, to discover pathways that might help suppress negative effects associated with Down syndrome and promote health in affected individuals.

Dr. Minah Kim's lab focuses on understanding how the Angiopoietin-2/Tie2 signaling pathway affects liver metastasis in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNET). By investigating the mechanisms of tumor growth and immune evasion, the lab aims to improve treatment strategies for patients suffering from this aggressive cancer. Ultimately, the research seeks to identify potential biomarkers that could help guide clinical decisions for better management of metastatic disease.

Dr. Mohammad Yunus Ansari's lab focuses on understanding how damaged mitochondrial DNA can contribute to inflammation and degeneration of intervertebral discs, which is a significant cause of back pain. By investigating the mechanisms of mtDNA leakage and its role in chronic inflammation, the lab aims to discover new therapeutic targets that could help in treating disc degeneration. The research involves both human samples and mouse models to explore these processes in a comprehensive manner.

Dr. Brian Lazzaro's lab at Cornell University studies antimicrobial peptides, which are crucial for defending against bacterial infections. By using the fruit fly model, Drosophila melanogaster, the lab explores how these peptides work and evolve. The goal is to understand their mechanisms in order to design new antimicrobial treatments that target specific pathogens more effectively.

Dr. Stephen J. Polyak's lab at the University of Washington focuses on developing new antiviral treatments specifically for coronaviruses. The research aims to create a combination of oral medications that can effectively treat patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and other related viruses. By utilizing advanced mathematical models, the lab seeks to optimize drug combinations and dosing strategies, improving global preparedness for future outbreaks.