Dr. Stephen J. Polyak's lab at the University of Washington focuses on developing new antiviral treatments specifically for coronaviruses. The research aims to create a combination of oral medications that can effectively treat patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and other related viruses. By utilizing advanced mathematical models, the lab seeks to optimize drug combinations and dosing strategies, improving global preparedness for future outbreaks.

Dr. Andrew N. Hoofnagle's lab at the University of Washington focuses on improving blood tests for patients with type 1 diabetes. Their research aims to make these tests more reliable and easier to reproduce in different labs, which is crucial for personalized medicine. By using advanced technologies like mass spectrometry, the lab seeks to better understand diabetes and improve the management of the disease through more accurate biomarkers.

Dr. Sam Golden's lab at the University of Washington studies the effects of fentanyl on the brain and explores why some people are more vulnerable to opioid abuse than others. By using advanced techniques to analyze brain function and gene expression in mice, the lab aims to create detailed maps of brain circuitry involved in fentanyl seeking behavior. This research is important for understanding addiction and developing new strategies to combat opioid abuse.

Dr. Alexander Greninger's lab focuses on enhancing the public sharing of viral genomic data, which is essential for developing vaccines and therapies. They are working on an automated system to improve the quality and speed of viral genome annotations, making it easier for researchers to share data related to viruses that significantly impact public health. Their goal is to prepare for future pandemics by ensuring that viral sequencing data is accurately validated and readily accessible.

Dr. Marshall Horwitz's lab focuses on understanding congenital neutropenia, a condition where the body has dangerously low levels of a type of white blood cell called neutrophils, increasing the risk of infections. They explore genetic mutations that impact neutrophil development and function, using innovative human stem cell models to study how these mutations disrupt normal blood cell formation. The goal is to uncover the mechanisms behind this and potentially find new ways to treat these disorders.

Dr. Caitlin Shannon Latimer's lab at the University of Washington focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease, particularly how tau and TDP-43 proteins interact to worsen the condition. Using C. elegans as a model organism, her research aims to uncover the roles of specific genes and pathways that contribute to the severity of Alzheimer's when TDP-43 is also present. By combining molecular biology techniques with human brain tissue analysis, the lab seeks to identify potential targets for new treatments and diagnostic methods for Alzheimer's disease and related conditions.

Dr. Jay Z Parrish's lab at the University of Washington focuses on understanding why certain neurons are more vulnerable to degeneration, particularly those with long axons, by studying the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. They investigate a genetic pathway that influences the production of inflammatory signals affecting neuron health. Ultimately, their research aims to provide insights that could lead to better treatments for neurodegenerative disorders which impact many people worldwide.

Dr. Anitha Pasupathy's research lab focuses on understanding how the primate brain perceives and recognizes visual objects, especially during natural movements like saccades. By examining the interactions between different brain areas in awake macaque monkeys, the lab aims to uncover the neural mechanisms that support stable visual perception despite constantly changing retinal inputs. Their work has implications for understanding visual disorders and improving treatment strategies.

Dr. Warren Ladiges' lab focuses on understanding how physical resilience impacts healthy aging. By studying how different stressors, like lack of sleep or injury, affect the body, the lab aims to identify factors that help maintain function as individuals age. The research involves using mouse models to explore physiological and molecular responses to stress, which could lead to new therapies enhancing healthy aging in people.

Dr. Christopher Dirk Keene's lab focuses on understanding the complex relationship between traumatic brain injuries and the progression of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The lab aims to establish a comprehensive resource that combines brain imaging, neuropathology, and extensive clinical data to improve diagnostics and therapeutic strategies for affected individuals. The research not only emphasizes scientific insights but also prioritizes diversity and inclusion within the research community.

Dr. Jeffrey Riffell's lab at the University of Washington studies how mosquitoes use their vision and sense of smell to find hosts and food sources. They investigate the connection between color vision and odor cues in mosquitoes, aiming to understand how these insects make decisions about where to land and feed. Through advanced genetic techniques and behavioral experiments, they hope to enhance mosquito control strategies and reduce the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.

Dr. Jessica Elaine Young's research lab focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind Alzheimer's Disease (AD), particularly the roles of genetics and cell type-specific functions in disease progression. Her lab investigates endo-lysosomal dysfunction in human neural cells and how sex-linked genetic factors influence the onset and progression of AD. By utilizing human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and patient-derived tissues, the lab aims to identify potential therapeutic targets for AD and better understand the differential effects of genetics on male and female patients.