Dr. Wei Wang’s lab at UC San Diego focuses on cutting-edge research combining artificial intelligence and molecular biology to explore innovative solutions for anti-aging therapies and genetic disease. The first major project aims to develop advanced AI models for designing antibodies that can rejuvenate the immune system, ultimately improving life quality in aging populations. The second project investigates the role of non-coding DNA regions in cellular functions and disease, aiming to uncover how mutations in these regions affect health and could lead to new therapeutic approaches.

Dr. Eric Bennett's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how cells maintain the quality of their proteins, which is critical for health and can impact conditions such as aging and neurodegenerative diseases. They explore the cellular mechanisms that control the production and degradation of proteins, particularly focusing on the role of ubiquitin ligases, which help tag defective proteins for destruction. The goal is to develop strategies that enhance cellular quality control systems to combat diseases linked to protein misfolding and toxicity.

Dr. Nan Hao's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding the biological processes of aging at the single-cell level. By integrating computational modeling and synthetic biology, the lab investigates how cellular aging impacts health and disease, with particular attention to diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Through innovative experiments and predictive modeling, they aim to develop strategies for promoting longevity and mitigating age-related diseases.

Dr. Hiutung Chu's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how the gut microbiota, particularly commensal bacteria like Bacteroides fragilis, adapt in response to inflammation caused by conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The research aims to uncover how these bacterial adaptations influence immune responses, which could lead to new therapies for IBD. By exploring the genetic and metabolic changes in these bacteria, the lab seeks to develop strategies for detecting and treating IBD in its early stages to prevent chronic disease progression.

Dr. Gulcin Pekkurnaz's lab at UC San Diego studies how the brain's energy metabolism supports cognitive functions like memory and perception. The team focuses on specific brain cells called fast-spiking inhibitory interneurons, which require a lot of energy to help maintain brain rhythms crucial for cognitive tasks. By understanding how these neurons produce and regulate energy, they hope to uncover links between nutrition, brain function, and disorders like Alzheimer's disease.

The research lab of Dr. James T. Kadonaga focuses on understanding how genes are regulated in humans, particularly the processes involving RNA polymerase II transcription. By exploring the core promoter regions and the proteins that interact with them, the lab aims to unravel the complexities of gene expression that can lead to diseases, including cancer. The research also investigates the biological roles of specific nucleosome-binding proteins to deepen our understanding of gene regulation.

Dr. Ananda W Goldrath's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how T cells, especially memory CD8 T cells, adapt to different tissues in the body to provide effective immunity against infections and cancers. The lab investigates the unique changes in gene expression and metabolism that allow these immune cells to survive and function in various environments, particularly in the small intestine. This research has implications for developing better vaccines and immunotherapies tailored to enhance the immune response in specific tissues.

Dr. Steven L. Gonias's lab focuses on understanding the anti-inflammatory effects of a harmless form of prion protein in the brain, which could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. His research explores how this protein interacts with specific cellular receptors to reduce harmful inflammation in brain cells, particularly microglia and astrocytes. By studying these processes in mouse models, the lab aims to develop therapies that enhance the brain's natural defenses against inflammation.

Ryan E Hibbs' lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding the structure and function of important neurotransmitter receptors that are linked to various diseases. Their research explores how nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and GABAA receptors operate in healthy conditions and how they are affected by autoimmune diseases and drug interactions. By using advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy and electrophysiology, the lab aims to uncover the fundamental mechanisms behind these receptors to improve treatments for disorders such as myasthenia gravis and epilepsy.

Dr. Yishi Jin's research lab focuses on understanding how synapses and axons develop and maintain their functions throughout the life of an organism. Using the tiny worm C. elegans, the lab investigates the complexities of nerve connections to gain insights into the molecular mechanisms that govern nerve function and repair. This research is crucial for identifying how disruptions can lead to neurological disorders, offering hope for better treatments and understanding of such conditions.

Dr. Bradley S. Moore's lab at UC San Diego focuses on two major areas: understanding the health risks and benefits associated with seafood consumption through marine contaminants, and developing therapeutic applications for minor cannabinoids found in cannabis. The lab combines expertise from various fields to study both ocean health and innovative cannabinoid therapeutic potential, aiming to improve public health and environmental understanding.

Dr. Gerald Patrick Morris's lab at UC San Diego focuses on improving organ transplantation success by understanding how the immune system reacts to donor organs. They are developing computational tools to predict the risk of rejection based on genetic factors, particularly HLA alleles. This research aims to personalize immunosuppression strategies, making transplant procedures safer and more effective for patients.

Dr. Aaron F. Carlin's lab at UC San Diego focuses on developing new oral antiviral treatments for RNA viruses, such as coronaviruses and dengue. They create and optimize lipid-based prodrugs that enhance the delivery and effectiveness of antiviral medications, aiming to improve treatment options for infections that pose significant public health risks. The research combines synthetic chemistry and pharmacokinetics to design innovative solutions for a rapidly evolving field.

Dr. Mana M Parast's lab focuses on understanding the complex biology of the human placenta, particularly how its structure and function relate to pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. They utilize advanced techniques in single-cell analysis and tissue modeling to explore the properties of placental cells and their interactions, aiming to enhance our understanding of placental dysfunction and develop potential regenerative strategies. This research is crucial as it reveals insights into conditions like Trisomy 21, which significantly affects placental health and fetal development.

Dr. Mariko Horii's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding preeclampsia, a serious condition during pregnancy that can have severe consequences for both mothers and their babies. By modeling placental defects with stem cells, the lab aims to identify the underlying mechanisms of this disease and improve treatment options. Their research seeks to establish better diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets to enhance prenatal care and health outcomes.

Christina Sigurdson's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how prion diseases affect brain function and contribute to neurodegeneration. The research emphasizes the role of the ESCRT pathway in maintaining synaptic health and explores how prion proteins disrupt this process, leading to synaptic dysfunction and neuronal loss. By using advanced techniques like electrophysiology and microscopy, the lab aims to find new treatment strategies for fatal neurodegenerative disorders.

Ina Stelzer's research lab focuses on understanding the complex interplay between the brain, immune system, and hormone signaling during pregnancy, particularly how these factors contribute to spontaneous preterm birth. By investigating the role of dopamine and other neuroimmunoendocrine processes, the lab aims to develop new predictive tools and therapeutic strategies to improve maternal and fetal health. This work has the potential to significantly impact public health by enhancing our understanding of pregnancy complications.

Dr. Suresh Subramani's lab at UC San Diego primarily investigates the mechanisms of peroxisome biogenesis, focusing on how these essential organelles are formed in cells. By utilizing yeast models, the lab aims to uncover key genes and proteins involved in the creation and regulation of peroxisomes, as well as the communication between peroxisomes and other cellular structures. This research not only enhances our understanding of cellular biology but also has implications for diagnosing and treating peroxisome biogenesis disorders in humans.

Dr. Takaki Komiyama's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how the brain's motor cortex helps us learn and execute movements. They study the interactions between different types of brain cells and how these interactions change when we learn new motor skills. By using mouse models and advanced techniques, the lab aims to find out how neurons in the motor cortex communicate and adapt, particularly in relation to motor disorders like Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis.

Dr. Judith Varner's lab focuses on understanding how certain immune cells, particularly macrophages, contribute to the growth and spread of head and neck and lung cancers. By targeting specific pathways in these cells, the lab aims to improve the effectiveness of cancer therapies and identify new treatment strategies. Their work emphasizes the importance of overcoming resistance to existing cancer treatments and finding biomarkers that can help predict how patients will respond.