Edward Benjamin Thorp · Biology
Dr. Edward Thorp's lab focuses on understanding how inflammation affects heart health, particularly in conditions like heart failure and ischemic injury. The lab investigates how different immune cells, specifically macrophages, interact with other heart cells to either worsen or alleviate inflammation. By exploring the underlying mechanisms and finding new pathways for intervention, the research aims to uncover potential treatments for heart diseases related to chronic inflammation.
Indira M Raman · Biology
Dr. Indira M Raman's research lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how the cerebellum helps us coordinate movements and learn new motor skills. The lab investigates how synaptic input impacts the firing patterns of neurons that play a crucial role in movement control. Using both mice and zebrafish, the team studies how these neurons respond to expected and unexpected sensory inputs during different behaviors, such as learning new tasks or adapting to changes. Insights from this research may help unravel the mechanisms behind movement disorders like ataxia and autism spectrum disorders.
Daniel A Dombeck · Biology
Daniel A Dombeck's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how neurons adapt and change in response to various stimuli, which is crucial for learning and memory. They use advanced imaging techniques to observe how changes in brain signals occur in real-time, helping to clarify how our brains function during behaviors like spatial navigation. Their work has important implications for treating conditions related to brain plasticity, such as addiction and chronic pain.
Peng Ji · Biology
Dr. Peng Ji's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding the development of red blood cells and the impact of inflammation on blood disorders. They compare the unique environments that support red blood cell development in mice and humans, aiming to uncover critical differences that could lead to new treatments for diseases like myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The research uses advanced techniques to study how immune responses affect blood cell production and maturation, which is vital for addressing health issues associated with aging and chronic inflammation.
Deyu Fang · Biology
Deyu Fang's research lab focuses on developing innovative treatments for triple negative breast cancer by combining immunotherapy and chemotherapy. The lab's goal is to create therapies that not only target cancer cells but also enhance the immune system's ability to fight tumors, particularly those that are resistant to existing treatments. They explore the role of specific proteins, like USP22, in cancer cell growth and immune response to devise effective therapeutic strategies.
Rui Yi · Biology
Dr. Rui Yi's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how hair follicle stem cells function and age. The lab investigates the mechanical properties and the genetic regulation of these stem cells, exploring how they respond to their surrounding environment. By using advanced imaging and genetic tools, the research aims to uncover new insights into hair growth and potential treatments for age-related hair loss.
Congcong He · Biology
Dr. Congcong He's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how specific cellular processes influence cocaine addiction. The team investigates the role of autophagy, a recycling mechanism in cells, particularly how a protein called Becn2 interacts with dopamine receptors related to cocaine reward and relapse. By exploring these molecular pathways, the lab aims to identify potential new treatments for cocaine abuse and other drug addictions.
Kathleen Janee Green · Biology
Dr. Kathleen Janee Green's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how skin cells, specifically melanocytes and keratinocytes, communicate and how this communication impacts the development of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. They explore how certain molecules, like desmoglein 1, change in response to environmental factors like UV radiation and how these changes contribute to cancer progression. This research has important implications in identifying early markers for melanoma and strategies for prevention.
Sui Huang · Biology
Dr. Sui Huang's lab focuses on understanding and developing treatments for cancer metastasis, which is the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. They are working on identifying unique cellular structures associated with metastatic cancer to use as markers for drug testing. One promising drug, metarrestin, has shown effectiveness in preventing metastasis in laboratory settings and is now being tested in clinical trials for pancreatic cancer. The lab aims to create more effective treatments that target these specific cancer traits without harming normal cells.
Vladimir I Gelfand · Biology
Dr. Vladimir I. Gelfand's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how microtubules and the molecular motors that walk along them shape cell structure and function. By studying these mechanisms in different biological models like Drosophila oocytes and mammalian cells, the lab aims to discover how cells become polarized and how they transport vital components. These insights could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and developmental defects in humans.
Brian Joseph Mitchell · Biology
Dr. Brian Joseph Mitchell's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a genetic disorder that impacts respiratory health and other bodily functions. The research uses a unique model of ciliated cells from Xenopus embryos to explore how cilia develop and function. By identifying and characterizing new genes involved in PCD, the lab aims to improve diagnostic methods and enhance our understanding of this complicated condition.
Ertugrul M Ozbudak · Biology
Dr. Ertugrul M Ozbudak's research lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how vertebrates develop their spinal structures, specifically through the process of somitogenesis, where the body segments are formed. The lab investigates how genetic regulation and signaling mechanisms ensure that this process is precise and resilient to variations between cells. By studying these aspects, the lab aims to uncover fundamental insights that could help prevent spinal malformations.
Tiffany M. Schmidt · Biology
Dr. Tiffany M. Schmidt's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding the genetic factors that influence the diversity of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) in the retina. These specialized cells are crucial for various physiological responses to light. By studying these cells, the lab aims to uncover how different subtypes of ipRGCs are formed and how they function, which could enhance our understanding of the retina and the nervous system as a whole.
Vipul Shukla · Biology
Dr. Vipul Shukla's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how specialized immune responses are regulated in germinal centers, where B cells evolve to produce effective antibodies. The research investigates the roles of specific protein complexes that remodel DNA to influence B cell behavior and maintain a balanced immune response. Ultimately, the work aims to uncover the mechanisms important for generating robust immunity and how inflammation might disrupt these processes.
Jeffery A Goldstein · Biology
Dr. Jeffery A Goldstein's lab focuses on using advanced machine learning techniques to understand the causes of stillbirth, a heartbreaking event affecting thousands of families each year. By analyzing placental histopathology, the lab aims to develop models that help identify placental issues leading to stillbirth, thereby improving diagnosis and treatment options. This research not only seeks to enhance understanding of stillbirth causes but also hopes to support families in their future pregnancies by providing personalized care based on identified risks.
Weiguo Cui · Biology
Dr. Weiguo Cui's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how T cells respond to chronic viral infections. They investigate the mechanisms behind T cell exhaustion and differentiation, aiming to harness this knowledge to develop new therapeutic strategies. By exploring how specific T cell subsets are formed and function, the lab aims to improve treatments for conditions like HIV and cancer.
Yevgenia Kozorovitskiy · Biology
Dr. Yevgenia Kozorovitskiy's lab at Northwestern University studies how brains of different rodent species synchronize their neural activity during social interactions. By using advanced genetic and optical tools, they explore the mechanisms behind this synchronization and how it affects social behaviors, which can provide insights into human social interactions and mental health. The research aims to understand how these inter-brain dynamics shape social behavior and attachment, which could have significant therapeutic implications.
Marco Gallio · Biology
Dr. Marco Gallio's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how temperature is sensed and processed in the brain using fruit flies (Drosophila). They investigate the neural circuits and mechanisms that determine how flies differentiate between hot, cold, and noxious temperatures, and how these perceptions influence behavior. By studying these processes, the lab aims to uncover fundamental principles of sensory processing that may apply to more complex organisms, including humans.
Thomas Hope · Biology
Dr. Thomas Hope's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how HIV persists in the body despite treatment. They study the role of specific immune cells, especially myeloid cells, in supporting virus survival and contributing to viral rebound when treatment stops. By using advanced imaging techniques and working with animal models, they aim to identify the main targets of HIV in tissues, which can help in developing new strategies for curing HIV and preventing transmission.
William A Muller · Biology
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.