Dr. Sarah E. Millar's research focuses on understanding the cellular mechanisms underlying diseases related to smell loss, aging-related eye health, and skin variation. Her lab investigates how COVID-19 can affect the brain via the sense of smell, explores treatments for Meibomian gland dysfunction which causes dry eye in elderly patients, and studies how skin responds differently to injuries and diseases. This research aims to find new therapies for these health issues.

Dr. Robert S. Krauss's lab conducts innovative research focused on understanding complex developmental disorders and muscle regeneration. One area of study examines holoprosencephaly, a brain malformation influenced by genetic and environmental factors, particularly looking at how prenatal alcohol exposure affects embryonic development. The lab also investigates the mechanisms of muscle stem cell quiescence and activation, seeking to leverage insights into muscle regeneration for therapeutic applications.

Dr. Nicole Dubois' research lab focuses on understanding how the heart's basic building blocks, known as sarcomeres, are formed during development and how RNA-binding proteins like DDX3X play crucial roles in heart function and disease. By studying the mechanisms that lead to congenital heart defects and cardiomyopathies, the lab aims to uncover new therapeutic targets for heart diseases. They utilize cutting-edge technologies to explore both the structural and functional aspects of heart development.

Dr. Daniel Michael Jordan's lab focuses on improving our understanding of genetic diseases and predicting disease risks for individuals with specific genetic markers. By using advanced techniques in deep learning, the lab analyzes large datasets from electronic health records and various biological sources. This research aims to bridge the gap between genetic information and its actual impact on health, making genetic testing results more practical for clinicians and patients.

Dr. Saghi Ghaffari's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on understanding how certain cellular organelles, like mitochondria and lysosomes, play critical roles in blood cell development and leukemia. They explore how these organelles influence the maturation of red blood cells and the behavior of leukemic stem cells. By uncovering these mechanisms, the lab aims to develop new therapeutic strategies for blood disorders and leukemia.

Dr. Nadejda Mincheva Tsankova's lab focuses on understanding and combating glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor known for its aggressive and invasive nature. They investigate the role of specific proteins in tumor migration and aim to develop new therapeutic strategies that could enhance treatment effectiveness for patients. The lab combines advanced techniques in genomics and spatial analysis to identify biomarkers that predict treatment response, which could lead to improved outcomes in glioblastoma patients.

Dr. Judy H. Cho's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms behind inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly Crohn's disease. The research explores how specific genetic mutations affect blood cells and tissue response, especially in challenging cases like perianal fistulae. Through advanced techniques like single-cell transcriptomics and multi-omic analysis, the lab aims to identify new therapeutic targets and improve patient outcomes in IBD.

Elena Ezhkova's lab investigates how Merkel cells, which are important for the sense of light touch, change in number and function as we age. They focus on uncovering the processes behind Merkel cell regeneration and their interaction with specific sensory neurons, especially in the context of dry skin and itch sensation. The goal is to understand these mechanisms to help develop treatments that could prevent age-related decline in Merkel cells and related skin sensitivities.

The research lab led by Dr. Marek Mlodzik focuses on understanding how cells achieve and maintain their polarized structures, which are crucial for proper organ development and function. A particular area of interest is the Wnt/Frizzled Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) signaling pathway, which has implications in various diseases, including cancer and developmental disorders. The lab conducts experiments primarily in Drosophila to explore the molecular mechanisms of cellular signaling and polarity establishment.

Dr. Sergei Sokol's lab studies how cells communicate during the early development of vertebrates, specifically using the model organism Xenopus. They explore the processes that help shape an embryo, looking at how proteins influence cell behavior and organization. This research helps us understand normal development and how diseases like congenital defects and cancer can arise when these processes go wrong.

Dr. Christopher Sturgeon's lab focuses on understanding how blood cells develop in embryos, particularly how different early cell types contribute to the formation of blood and immune cells. By studying these early developmental processes, the lab aims to improve techniques for generating various blood cell types from stem cells, which could have significant applications in regenerative medicine and treatments for blood disorders. Their work investigates the roles of different cellular programs and signaling mechanisms in hematopoietic development.

Prashanth Rangan's lab focuses on understanding the important transition from germ cells to mature egg cells (oocytes), which is crucial for fertility. They use Drosophila, a type of fruit fly, as a model organism to explore how specific genes are silenced during this process to ensure the proper development of embryos. This research aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new insights into human infertility.

Dr. Zhe Ying's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on the regeneration of salivary glands after they are damaged by radiation therapy. They are particularly interested in a gene called Smarca2, which plays a crucial role in the growth of salivary cells without promoting cancer growth. Their innovative research aims to develop techniques that can selectively enhance the recovery of salivary glands, which are vital for functions like swallowing and speaking, while minimizing the risk of cancer recurrence.