Dr. Melissa Ellermann's lab at the University of South Carolina studies how the endocannabinoid system affects gut bacteria, particularly during infections caused by Escherichia coli. The research aims to understand how this signaling system can lower the gut's defenses against harmful bacteria, potentially worsening chronic digestive diseases like Crohn's disease. By using mouse models and advanced genetic techniques, the lab investigates the complex interactions between host signals and microbial behavior.

Dr. Cameron McCarthy's lab focuses on understanding how diabetes affects the cerebrovascular system, particularly after a stroke. They study the role of a specific protein modification, known as O-GlcNAcylation, which may worsen neurovascular injuries and hinder recovery from stroke in diabetic patients. Their research aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new therapeutic targets for improving outcomes in stroke patients with diabetes.

Dr. R Clinton Webb's lab at the University of South Carolina focuses on understanding how diabetes can lead to erectile dysfunction by looking at the role of specific ion channels in blood vessel constriction. The team studies how reactive oxygen species, particularly superoxide, influence vascular signaling and how a particular protein family (LRRC8) might contribute to this process. By uncovering these mechanisms, the lab aims to identify new treatment strategies for erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes, addressing a significant health challenge.