Niels Ringstad's research lab at NYU focuses on discovering new treatments for addiction by studying natural compounds from microbes that can influence brain signaling. Using a microscopic worm called C. elegans, the lab explores how these compounds affect specific neurotransmitter systems involved in addiction. Their work aims to identify novel small molecules that can better regulate neurochemical pathways linked to human behavior and impulse control.

Dr. Jef D Boeke's lab at NYU School of Medicine focuses on understanding how genes are regulated within our genomes. They create and manipulate large DNA constructs to study the effects of genetic elements on gene expression, with potential applications in gene therapy and biotechnology. The lab offers exciting opportunities for undergraduate students to be directly involved in these transformative research projects.

Dr. Brian Dynlacht's lab at NYU School of Medicine focuses on understanding how primary cilia, tiny structures on the surface of cells, are assembled and disassembled. These cilia are crucial for sensing signals from the environment and play important roles in cell growth and division. The lab studies specific proteins that help configure cilia and other cellular structures, which can have implications in developmental defects and cancer. By uncovering the connections between protein functions and cellular processes, the lab aims to advance knowledge in cell biology and potential disease mechanisms.

Dr. Stefan Feske's lab at NYU focuses on understanding how T cells and B cells regulate immune responses to infections and their roles in autoimmune diseases. The research explores the mechanisms by which ion channels affect T cell function and plasma cell differentiation, using models of inflammation and genetic screening. The ultimate goal is to identify potential drug targets that can modulate these immune responses.

Dr. Andreas Hochwagen's lab at New York University studies how organisms safely break their DNA to create genetic diversity. They focus on understanding programmed DNA double-strand breaks and their roles in meiotic recombination and ribosomal DNA variations. By using genetics and molecular biology techniques, the lab aims to gain insights into genome stability and its implications for human diseases.

David Gresham's lab at NYU studies how cells respond to nutrient deprivation and adapt through rapid evolution. They focus on understanding cell quiescence, a state where cells remain inactive but can react to challenges, and how certain genetic changes can lead to rapid adaptations in microbes. This research has implications for improving antifungal treatments and understanding diseases influenced by genetic variation.

Dr. Chunyuan Jin's lab focuses on understanding how formaldehyde, a chemical found in many environments, affects our DNA and contributes to cancer. The research aims to uncover how formaldehyde interacts with proteins that help package our DNA, leading to potential changes in gene expression and chromosomal stability, which might be linked to cancer development. This work could reveal new insights into how environmental toxins impact our health.

Dr. Juan Lafaille's lab at New York University focuses on understanding how specific types of immune cells, called border-associated macrophages (BAMs), maintain healthy blood vessels in the brain. This research is particularly relevant to diseases like Alzheimer's, where the buildup of amyloid proteins can disrupt vascular function. By studying unique mouse models, the lab aims to uncover the role of BAMs in preventing these complications and advancing our knowledge of brain health, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. Fei Li's research lab focuses on understanding the centromere, an essential chromatin domain that plays a crucial role in proper chromosome segregation during cell division. By exploring how centromeres are specified and inherited, the lab aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind centromere function, which is linked to various diseases, including cancer and Down syndrome. Using the fission yeast model, the lab combines different disciplines such as genetics, genomics, and structural biology to investigate the intricacies of centromere organization and regulation.

Dr. Marcin Imielinski's lab at NYU School of Medicine researches how the original cell type from which lung cancer arises affects the disease's behavior and treatment. They focus on understanding the genetic changes that accompany lung adenocarcinoma, a common and deadly form of lung cancer. By analyzing mutations in lung cancer samples, the lab aims to identify the cell of origin for these tumors and improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Dr. Eva Hernando's lab at NYU School of Medicine focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind cancer metastasis, particularly in melanoma and brain tumors. The lab investigates how certain proteins and epigenetic changes affect tumor spread and explores new therapeutic strategies to inhibit brain metastasis. Ultimately, the research aims to improve treatment options for patients with limited prospects.

Dr. Christopher Y Park's lab focuses on improving diagnosis and treatment for patients with follicular lymphoma, a type of cancer affecting B-cells. The lab combines advanced genomic studies and innovative mouse models to understand how changes in the tumor microenvironment influence disease progression and response to therapy. By identifying reliable biomarkers, they aim to enhance patient stratification and treatment outcomes for those at high risk of early disease progression.

Dr. Susan Ruth Schwab's research focuses on understanding how T cells exit from sites of inflammation, which is crucial for immune responses. By exploring the role of specific lipids in guiding T cell movement, her lab aims to uncover mechanisms that could prevent T cell exhaustion and improve memory responses during chronic inflammation. They utilize a novel mouse model to manipulate gene expression in a targeted manner, enabling detailed studies of T cell behavior in real time.

Dr. Duncan J. Smith's lab at New York University focuses on understanding how DNA processes like replication and transcription interact and sometimes conflict with each other. They use yeast as a model to explore the behaviors of helicases—proteins that unwind DNA—and how their activities affect genome integrity, especially in relation to cancer. The lab develops novel methods to map these interactions and aims to provide insights that could help in understanding diseases related to DNA damage.

Dr. David L. Stokes' lab focuses on understanding how cells transport ions like potassium and zinc across their membranes. By combining advanced techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations, the lab investigates the mechanisms that regulate these transport processes. This research not only provides insights into cellular ionic homeostasis but also has implications for understanding how these processes can be disrupted in diseases.

Dr. Michelle Krogsgaard's lab focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of T cell-based immunotherapies for cancer treatment. By studying the signaling pathways of T cell receptors, the lab aims to improve the ability of T cells to recognize and kill tumor cells without compromising their specificity. This research holds promise for developing better strategies in cancer immunotherapy, particularly for melanoma.

Claude Desplan's lab at New York University studies two main areas: the unique aging process in ants and the development of neural diversity in the fruit fly Drosophila. The lab investigates how environmental factors influence aging and longevity in ants, particularly focusing on the reproductive role of certain workers that can dramatically extend their lifespan. Additionally, they explore how different neurons are formed in the fly brain, looking at the various mechanisms that contribute to neural diversity and circuit formation. Through these studies, the lab aims to uncover fundamental principles of biology that may have implications for understanding aging and neural development in other animals.

Esteban Mazzoni's lab at NYU School of Medicine focuses on understanding how Hox genes, which are essential for the body's development, maintain their positional identity through epigenetic memory. The lab investigates how different signaling factors interact with chromatin to properly activate or repress these genes during cell differentiation. This research has implications for understanding developmental processes and diseases such as cancer.

Thales Papagiannakopoulos's lab focuses on understanding and treating aggressive forms of lung cancer driven by KRAS mutations, particularly those with mutations in the KEAP1 gene. They explore novel therapeutic strategies that target specific metabolic vulnerabilities and immune evasion mechanisms in these tumors, aiming to improve treatment options for patients with KRAS mutant lung cancer.

Iannis Aifantis' lab at NYU focuses on understanding the mechanisms of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other blood cancers. The research explores how RNA-binding proteins affect cell differentiation and how inflammation impacts the immune response in leukemia. By using advanced techniques like CRISPR, the lab aims to identify new therapeutic targets and improve treatment outcomes for leukemia patients.