Dr. Xinbin Chen's lab at UC Davis focuses on developing new treatments for triple negative breast cancer by targeting a mutated form of the p53 protein, which is involved in many cancers. The lab studies how certain proteins interact to promote the expression of this mutant p53 and explores how blocking these interactions can inhibit tumor growth. They are also investigating whether a small molecule can enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy in cancers reliant on mutant p53.

Dr. Malcolm E. Winkler's lab at Indiana University focuses on understanding how the cell wall of bacteria, specifically Streptococcus pneumoniae, is built and regulated. By studying the unique structures and processes that govern cell wall synthesis, the lab aims to uncover critical insights that could lead to the development of new antibiotics and vaccines to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This research is especially important for addressing public health challenges posed by superbugs.

Dr. Kathleen A. Boris-Lawrie's lab focuses on understanding how HIV-1 persistently impacts the immune system even when viral loads are controlled through medication. They investigate the role of RNA modifications in HIV-1's ability to replicate and evade immune response. The lab aims to uncover new mechanisms behind HIV behavior, with the hope of informing future treatments to better address chronic HIV infections.

Dr. Almudena Veiga-Lopez's lab at the University of Illinois at Chicago studies how exposure to environmental chemicals affects placental health and pregnancy outcomes. The lab focuses on the placental molecular clock, a system that regulates various biological functions and may play a crucial role in fetal development. By examining how chemicals disrupt this clock, the lab aims to uncover the links between environmental toxins and adverse reproductive health issues.

Dr. Jon P. Boyle's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding how the placenta interacts with the teratogenic pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, which can cause significant harm to fetuses if transmitted during pregnancy. The lab investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind the placental resistance to this pathogen and aims to find predictive markers for infection outcomes. By conducting experiments on placental cells and analyzing immune responses in pregnant women, the research seeks to improve our understanding of congenital toxoplasmosis and maternal-fetal health.

Dr. Norberto Gonzalez-Juarbe's research lab focuses on combating infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, a leading cause of pneumonia, particularly among children and the elderly. The lab is exploring the use of bacteriophage endolysins, which are enzymes that can destroy bacterial cells and their biofilms. This innovative approach aims to not only treat infections more effectively but also to enhance the body's immune response against re-colonization by these bacteria. Overall, the lab seeks to develop a new type of therapeutic agent and vaccine that can provide broader protection against pneumococcal disease.

Dr. Justin Thornton's lab at Mississippi State University focuses on developing a new type of vaccine to prevent colonization by pneumococcus, a bacteria responsible for infections like pneumonia. The lab is looking to find novel targets among bacterial proteins that can stimulate a strong immune response and lead to better protection against these infections, even against different strains of the bacteria. This research not only aims to improve vaccine efficacy but also engages students in real-world biomedical research.

Dr. Markus Bosmann's lab focuses on understanding how bacterial polyphosphates influence immune responses in the intestines, especially in relation to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). They study how these bacterial metabolites affect immune cell interactions and contribute to the severity of gut inflammation. This research aims to uncover new therapeutic strategies for IBD by examining the gut microbiota's role in immune system regulation.

Dr. Richard M. Levenson's lab at UC Davis focuses on improving breast cancer diagnostics, particularly in low and middle-income countries like Ghana. By combining advanced technologies such as millifluidics and digital imaging, the lab aims to create cost-effective, automated instruments that can provide high-quality diagnostic images from breast cancer biopsies. This project not only aims to enhance diagnostic capabilities but also seeks to integrate real-time therapy guidance and AI tools to better support local healthcare providers.

Dr. Nalinikanth Kotagiri's lab focuses on innovative imaging techniques to improve the diagnosis and treatment of lung infections, particularly in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The research involves developing specialized imaging probes that can identify specific bacteria causing infections, which are crucial for targeted therapies. By using cutting-edge imaging technologies, the lab aims to differentiate between bacterial and viral infections, thereby enhancing treatment outcomes and patient management.

Dr. Michael Benjamin Major's lab at Washington University explores innovative treatments for head and neck cancers, focusing on a protein called NRF2 that helps tumors resist radiation therapy. The team is testing new drugs that inhibit NRF2 to make these cancers more sensitive to radiation, aiming to improve patient outcomes. This research holds the potential to significantly enhance the effectiveness of existing cancer treatments and provide new therapeutic strategies for challenging cases.

Dr. Ashley Winn Seifert's lab at the University of Kentucky investigates how certain immune cells, called tissue resident macrophages, influence the body's ability to regenerate damaged tissues. By studying spiny mice, which can regenerate their musculoskeletal tissues, the lab aims to understand the differences between regenerative healing and scarring seen in other mice. The goal is to uncover cellular and molecular mechanisms that can be applied to improve healing processes in humans.

Dr. Victor Ambros's lab focuses on how genetic networks control when and how an organism develops. They study tiny worms, like C. elegans, to understand the role of microRNAs in helping these organisms adapt to stresses during their growth. Their research also explores how certain worms can regenerate their bodies, offering insights into the biology of regeneration across species.

Dr. Jingli Cao's lab at Weill Medical College focuses on understanding how zebrafish can regenerate their heart after injury. The lab explores the role of polyploid cells, which have multiple copies of their genome, in the heart's regenerative process. By studying how these cells communicate and lead the healing process, the research aims to uncover new ways to improve heart repair in humans and address diseases associated with polyploidy, like cancer and kidney injury.

Dr. Jeffrey K Huang's lab studies how the immune system interacts with nerve cells to promote healing in conditions like multiple sclerosis, where nerve insulation is damaged. His research involves manipulating specific molecules to encourage nerve cells to repair themselves and improve patient outcomes. By understanding these interactions better, his work aims to develop new treatments that could help individuals suffering from demyelinating diseases.

Dr. Dayanidhi Raman's lab focuses on understanding how certain proteins in breast cancer cells contribute to drug resistance, particularly in aggressive forms like triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). By studying a protein called eIF4A1, the lab seeks to find ways to target and eliminate drug-resistant cancer stem cells to improve treatment outcomes. The goal is to develop new therapies that can effectively combat this challenging disease and prevent tumor recurrence.

Dr. James L. Manley's lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding the intricate processes involved in mRNA processing and how these processes impact diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. The team investigates how mutations in splicing factors contribute to diseases like acute myeloid leukemia and explores the roles of specific proteins associated with conditions like ALS. Through their research, they aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind these changes and their consequences in human health.

Dr. Annemarie Shibata's lab at Creighton University investigates how long non-coding RNAs affect the immune responses of microglia, which are immune cells in the brain. They study these mechanisms to understand and potentially develop new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The lab combines various techniques and models to unravel the roles of these RNA molecules in inflammation and neurotoxicity.

Dr. Hengwei Zhang's research lab focuses on understanding how cellular aging affects bone healing, especially in elderly patients who suffer from fractures. His work investigates a specific type of aging-related cell known as detrimental senescent cells that hinder the healing process. By exploring the mechanisms behind these cells, the lab aims to develop novel therapies to improve recovery from bone fractures in older adults.

Elias T Spiliotis’ lab at the University of Virginia studies how membrane transport within cells is regulated, particularly in polar cells like neurons and epithelial cells. Their research aims to uncover the roles of septins, a unique family of proteins, in controlling the direction and movement of cell components. By understanding these mechanisms, the lab hopes to find new insights that can lead to better therapies for diseases linked to cellular transport dysfunctions, such as neurodegeneration and cancer.