Dr. Eve Marder's lab focuses on understanding how neurons and circuits in the nervous system maintain stability and resilience when faced with changes in their environment, like temperature shifts. By studying simple neural circuits in crabs, they aim to uncover general principles that apply to all nervous systems, including humans. Their research looks at how extreme conditions can disrupt normal functions and how prior experiences can influence these responses.

Dr. Noelle D Dwyer's lab at the University of Virginia focuses on understanding how neural stem cells develop into the brain and how disruptions in this process can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders. They utilize mouse genetics to study lethal mutations that affect brain development and other related organs. The team's research combines various phenotyping techniques to analyze these mutations, providing insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying brain malformations and developmental disorders.

Dr. Eric J Huang’s lab at the University of California, San Francisco, focuses on understanding how defects in autophagy and endolysosomal trafficking contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, especially Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). By studying the roles of microglia and their interactions with neurons, the lab investigates how these cellular processes may lead to neuronal loss and disease progression. The research combines molecular biology techniques with advanced proteomics to uncover new pathways that could lead to therapeutic targets for neurodegeneration.

Dr. Valina L. Dawson's lab focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. By studying the roles of specific proteins and metabolic changes in brain cells, the lab seeks to uncover the causes of cognitive dysfunction and develop potential therapies to protect neurons. Their research uses innovative techniques, including imaging mass spectrometry and genetic models, to explore how changes in brain metabolism affect neurodegeneration.

Dr. Natura Myeku's lab at Columbia University Health Sciences investigates how specific proteins degrade in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The research focuses on understanding the roles of specialized proteins called immunoproteasomes, especially during inflammation, and how their dysfunction might contribute to disease progression. The lab combines advanced techniques to unravel the mechanisms behind protein accumulation that characterizes diseases of aging.

Dr. Shuying Sun's lab at Johns Hopkins University focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and Alzheimer's. They study how certain types of RNA related to genetic mutations can become toxic to nerve cells and lead to these conditions. By using advanced imaging techniques and genetic analysis, the lab aims to uncover new insights that could help develop effective treatments for these debilitating diseases.

Dr. Mubarak Hussain Syed's lab focuses on understanding how nerve cells in the brain are formed and how they work together to control behavior. By studying a specific type of fruit fly, they explore the genetic and molecular mechanisms that lead to the creation of different nerve cell types. The lab also emphasizes training and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds in neuroscience, aiming to improve education and increase representation in the field.

Brian Daniels' lab at Rutgers focuses on understanding how the immune system interacts with the nervous system, particularly during viral infections like West Nile and Zika viruses. The research aims to discover how a specific protein, RIPK3, can protect neurons from damage caused by these viruses. By exploring the mechanisms of immune signaling within neurons, the lab seeks to identify potential new treatments for viral infections that affect the brain.

Dr. Yu Luo's lab at the University of Cincinnati focuses on understanding how specific signaling pathways in the brain, particularly those involving microglia and astrocytes, affect brain health and diseases like stroke and Alzheimer's. The research aims to uncover the roles of the TGF-beta signaling pathway in maintaining healthy brain cells and to explore how the choroid plexus and cerebrospinal fluid contribute to cognitive function, especially during aging and in neurodegenerative conditions.

Dr. Hanseok Ko's research lab focuses on understanding how a specific protein signaling pathway in brain immune cells, called microglia, contributes to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. The lab aims to identify the molecular mechanisms involved in this process and explore potential new therapies for Alzheimer's by targeting these pathways. Through a combination of biochemical and genetic experiments, the lab seeks to uncover ways to mitigate the harmful effects associated with Alzheimer's disease and improve brain health.

Clark A. Lindgren's research lab at Grinnell College focuses on understanding how signals from muscles regulate neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction, particularly through a process called presynaptic homeostatic potentiation (PHP). The lab investigates the role of pH and other ionic factors in this communication, aiming to identify the mechanisms that allow muscles to adjust the strength of their signals to nerves. Undergraduate students play a crucial role in this research, gaining hands-on experience in the laboratory while contributing to important discoveries in neuroscience.

Dr. Francesca Bartolini's lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind Alzheimer's disease and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). By studying how microtubule stability and tubulin modifications impact neuronal health, the lab aims to uncover new pathways that could lead to effective treatments for these conditions.

The Ferguson lab at Yale University focuses on understanding how lysosomes function in neurons, particularly in the context of Alzheimer's disease. They investigate the proteins JIP3 and JIP4, which play crucial roles in regulating lysosome movement and signaling within nerve cells. By uncovering the mechanisms that affect lysosome behavior, the lab aims to contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. Jay Z Parrish's lab at the University of Washington focuses on understanding why certain neurons are more vulnerable to degeneration, particularly those with long axons, by studying the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. They investigate a genetic pathway that influences the production of inflammatory signals affecting neuron health. Ultimately, their research aims to provide insights that could lead to better treatments for neurodegenerative disorders which impact many people worldwide.

Dr. David E. Kang's lab at Case Western Reserve University focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, ALS, and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. The lab studies the role of specific proteins, including TDP-43 and Nrf2, in regulating cellular responses to stress and their impacts on neurodegeneration. By utilizing animal models and advanced biochemical techniques, the lab aims to find potential therapeutic targets to mitigate the detrimental effects caused by these proteins.

Dr. Doodipala Samba Reddy's lab focuses on developing innovative treatments to counteract the harmful effects of nerve agents, particularly in the context of seizure management and brain protection. The primary research involves creating new hydrophilic neurosteroids that can effectively treat severe seizures that do not respond to current medications like midazolam. This research is particularly relevant for military and civilian safety during chemical warfare scenarios.

Dr. Zdenek Hel's lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham focuses on understanding how specific types of immune cells called neutrophils contribute to liver and gastrointestinal diseases in individuals infected with HIV-1. Their research primarily investigates the role of dysregulated neutrophil populations and their activation in disease progression, aiming to uncover potential therapeutic targets for treatment.

Dr. Caroline L Ng's lab studies malaria, particularly the mechanisms behind resistance to artemisinin, a key treatment for this disease. They investigate how the proteasome, a protein degradation system, affects the survival of malaria parasites under drug pressure. By understanding these processes at a molecular level, the lab aims to develop new therapeutic strategies to combat artemisinin-resistant malaria and improve treatment outcomes.

Dr. Daniela Nicastro's research lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center focuses on understanding how cilia, tiny hair-like structures, move and function in various biological processes. The lab aims to uncover how certain protein complexes regulate ciliary movement, which is crucial for the proper functioning of many organs. By studying defects in ciliary function, the research has implications for understanding genetic disorders linked to ciliary dysfunction, such as respiratory and developmental diseases.

Kirsten Nielsen's lab at Virginia Tech focuses on understanding the interactions between the immune system and the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, which can cause serious infections in people with weakened immune systems, especially those with HIV/AIDS. The research investigates how different strains of the fungus and the environment of the host impact disease outcomes. By exploring these interactions, the lab aims to develop new treatments that could help patients better manage their infections.