Dr. Gyorgy Hajnoczky's lab focuses on understanding how changes in calcium levels within mitochondria affect neuronal health. They explore the role of specific proteins, particularly the MICU family, in calcium signaling and how their dysfunction can lead to neurological disorders. By using advanced imaging techniques and mouse models, the lab aims to determine the connections between mitochondrial calcium homeostasis, neurodegeneration, and brain functioning in different conditions, such as hypoxia and developmental stages.

Dr. Niraj Lodhi's lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on how early life lead exposure affects brain development and memory through changes in RNA methylation. The research explores the role of a specific RNA modification, m6A, in cognitive functions, particularly its influence on memory-related genes. By investigating these mechanisms, the lab aims to understand the long-term consequences of lead exposure on learning and behavior.

Dr. A. Sue Menko's research lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on understanding how the immune system interacts with the eye, particularly in maintaining health after injuries like corneal wounds. The lab studies special immune cells associated with the lens of the eye to learn how they can either help restore balance or lead to problems such as cataracts and glaucoma. Their work is crucial for developing new treatments for eye diseases caused by inflammation.

Dr. Erin Seifert's lab studies how fatty acids are processed by the body when mitochondrial function is impaired, specifically in conditions like mitochondrial myopathy. This research focuses on understanding how skeletal muscle, liver, and heart adapt to these deficiencies to manage energy production and cellular stress. Their ultimate goal is to identify new ways to support metabolic health in individuals with mitochondrial diseases.

Dr. Isidore Rigoutsos' lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on understanding small RNA molecules, particularly variations of microRNAs, and fragments from tRNAs and rRNAs. They aim to develop specialized tools and databases that will help researchers accurately analyze and mine these RNA types from sequencing data. The lab’s work is crucial for improving our understanding of how these molecules regulate gene expression in different contexts, such as in human health and disease, particularly by investigating their roles in breast cancer metastasis.

Dr. Ankita Srivastava's lab focuses on understanding how alcohol consumption affects the liver's ability to regenerate and recover from damage. By studying both male and female rats, the lab investigates the differences in liver responses to ethanol and identifies the mechanisms that lead to disruption in repair processes. The ultimate goal is to translate these findings to human conditions related to alcohol-related liver disease.

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. James Schwaber's lab focuses on understanding how certain neurons in the brainstem help control the vagus nerve, which plays a crucial role in heart health. By studying the molecular mechanisms within these neurons, the lab aims to find ways to enhance vagal activity to protect against heart diseases. This research has the potential to lead to new treatments for conditions related to low cardiac vagal outflow.