Dr. Erin Eun-Young Ahn's lab focuses on understanding a rare genetic disorder known as Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim (ZTTK) syndrome, which affects children and leads to serious hematopoietic and immune system disorders. The lab uses mouse models to explore the molecular mechanisms and genetic factors that contribute to these abnormalities, ultimately aiming to improve diagnosis and treatment for affected families. Their research highlights the importance of recognizing and studying rare diseases that often go unnoticed in the broader medical community.

Dr. Joseph Thornton's lab at the University of Chicago focuses on understanding how proteins evolve and acquire new functions over time. Utilizing innovative techniques like ancestral protein reconstruction, the team examines the genetic and biochemical changes that lead to complex features in proteins, including their ability to interact in large complexes and respond to regulatory signals. Their research aims to reveal the historical pathways of protein evolution and how they can inform our understanding of health and disease.

Dr. Kristin A. Hogquist's research lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding how the thymus develops T cells that can tolerate self-antigens to prevent autoimmune diseases. The lab investigates how innate immune activation affects the selection processes of T cells in the thymus, particularly looking at the roles of cytokines like interferons. By studying the interactions between various immune cells, the lab aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to better understanding and treatment of autoimmune conditions.

Dr. Dustin Brisson's lab at the University of Pennsylvania studies how seasonal patterns of black-legged ticks affect the transmission of diseases in humans. By researching the life cycles of these ticks and the pathogens they carry, the lab aims to uncover how changes in the environment influence disease spread. This work is crucial for improving public health management of tick-borne illnesses in North America.

Dr. Matthew T Aliota's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on the Powassan virus, a tick-borne pathogen that poses a growing public health threat. The research aims to investigate how the genetics of both the Powassan virus and its tick vector contribute to disease transmission and severity across different regions in the Northeast and Midwest U.S. This work is vital for understanding how such viruses may evolve and spread, ultimately aiding in disease prediction and prevention efforts.

In Professor Adam Christopher Martin's lab at MIT, researchers study how tissues change shape during development through the actions of cells and the forces they generate. They use the fruit fly Drosophila as a model organism to explore the molecular signaling pathways that control the actomyosin cytoskeleton, which is crucial for tissue formation. The lab employs a combination of biology, engineering, and mathematics to uncover the mechanisms behind tissue morphogenesis and the intricate interactions between cells in developing tissues.

Dr. Andrea Page-Mccaw's lab at Vanderbilt University studies how tissues repair themselves after injury. The team uses fruit fly models to investigate the repair mechanisms of epithelial tissues and basement membranes, which are crucial for organ structure. Their research aims to uncover the fundamental processes of tissue repair to inform clinical therapies for wounds and injuries when normal healing fails.

Dr. Junya Tomida's research lab focuses on understanding the complex interactions between the DNA repair factor REV7 and the tumor suppressor protein p53, which plays a key role in preventing cancer. The lab studies how REV7 regulates p53 protein levels and activity, especially in the context of various DNA damage conditions. By uncovering the mechanisms behind these interactions, the lab aims to identify new insights into cancer development and potential therapeutic targets.

Dr. Liang Tong's lab focuses on understanding how messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are processed and regulated within cells. By studying the proteins involved in mRNA stability and quality control, the lab aims to uncover mechanisms that ensure mRNAs are correctly modified before they are translated into proteins. This research is crucial as defects in mRNA processing can lead to various diseases, including some cancers.

Dr. Archana Kumari's lab at Rowan University focuses on understanding how specific signaling pathways influence the development and health of the tongue and taste organs, particularly in the context of pediatric health and oral cancer. The research includes exploring the role of Hedgehog signaling in the growth and function of the tongue, and developing new treatments for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by inhibiting this pathway with existing drugs. Findings aim to shed light on developmental processes and improve therapeutic strategies for serious health issues related to the tongue and oral cancer.

Dr. Peter J. Tontonoz's lab at UCLA focuses on how fat cells store and use lipids, which is important for understanding obesity and diabetes. They investigate the role of cholesterol in blood vessel inflammation and how nutrients are absorbed in the gut. Their research aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind these processes, potentially leading to new treatments for metabolic diseases.

Dr. Theresa Torres Pizarro's lab focuses on understanding the role of a protein called gasdermin B (GSDMB) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The team investigates how different forms of GSDMB might affect the function of cells in the gut, especially during diseases like IBD. The ultimate goal is to uncover new ways to improve gut healing and develop treatments for IBD by exploring the molecular mechanisms of GSDMB.

Dr. Jesús Torres-Vázquez's lab investigates the mechanisms behind how blood vessels achieve their proper size and structure, which is crucial for maintaining effective blood circulation. Using zebrafish as a primary model organism, the lab studies the signaling pathways and cellular processes that influence blood vessel caliber, including the roles of specific proteins and the effects of blood flow. Research in this lab aims to improve our understanding of cardiovascular health and the effects of vascular abnormalities.

Dr. William A. Muller's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how white blood cells migrate across blood vessel walls during inflammation. By studying this process, known as transendothelial migration, the lab aims to discover new methods to modify inflammation therapeutically. The researchers have made significant advancements in identifying crucial molecules and mechanisms that facilitate this migration, which could lead to better treatment strategies for inflammatory diseases.

Dr. Bruce Blumberg's lab at UC Irvine focuses on understanding how prenatal exposure to environmental chemicals, particularly endocrine disruptors, affects obesity in future generations. They study mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance, which could explain how these effects are passed down without changes to DNA. This research aims to uncover how these inherited traits lead to metabolic diseases and how interventions might prevent these transgenerational effects.

Dr. Christopher Dirk Keene's lab focuses on understanding the complex relationship between traumatic brain injuries and the progression of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The lab aims to establish a comprehensive resource that combines brain imaging, neuropathology, and extensive clinical data to improve diagnostics and therapeutic strategies for affected individuals. The research not only emphasizes scientific insights but also prioritizes diversity and inclusion within the research community.

Dr. Jessica E. Treisman's lab focuses on understanding the development and function of the corneal lens in the fruit fly Drosophila. By studying how specific cells in the retina differentiate and form the cornea, the lab aims to uncover mechanisms that could be relevant to human vision disorders like myopia and keratoconus. Their research combines genetic techniques and advanced imaging to explore cellular and molecular processes, providing insights that may help develop treatments for corneal diseases.

Dr. Jun He's lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its resistance to treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. The lab investigates the role of a specific microRNA, miR-152, and how its suppression leads to the upregulation of pathways that promote tumor growth and resistance to therapy. The ultimate goal of this research is to identify new therapeutic targets to improve treatment outcomes for patients with TNBC.

Dr. Leslie Shaw's lab focuses on the role of a specific protein, IRS2, in regulating cell division in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). The lab aims to understand how IRS2 contributes to cancer development and to explore new therapeutic strategies to combat this aggressive cancer subtype by targeting its unique vulnerabilities during cell division. Through their research, they hope to develop more effective treatments for patients with TNBC.

Dr. Jian-Ting Zhang's lab focuses on developing new treatment strategies for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a type of breast cancer that often resists existing therapies. The lab is investigating how fatty acid synthase (FASN) contributes to resistance against certain cancer drugs and exploring the potential of combining proton pump inhibitors with these drugs to enhance their effectiveness. By targeting FASN, the lab aims to improve survival rates and reduce the side effects of current treatments for TNBC patients.