Jessica Mozersky's lab at Washington University focuses on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) research, particularly on how to effectively communicate biomarker results to older adults. The lab is exploring new blood tests that identify preclinical AD and evaluating safe and understandable methods for returning these results to participants. This is crucial in the context of emerging treatments for AD, aiming to enhance engagement and compliance among older adults.

Dr. Gaya K. Amarasinghe's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding how certain viruses, specifically bunyaviruses and filoviruses, interact with their host cells to cause disease. This research aims to identify the key proteins and pathways involved in viral entry and pathogenesis, which could lead to the development of new therapeutics against these emerging infectious diseases. The lab combines techniques from biochemistry, virology, and molecular biology to explore these interactions in detail.

Dr. Steven Van Dyken's research lab focuses on understanding the immune responses involved in atopic dermatitis, a common skin condition characterized by allergic inflammation and intense itching. The lab investigates the role of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in activating specific immune cells called basophils and group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), which produce key inflammatory cytokines. By using mouse models and advanced techniques like spatial transcriptomics, the lab aims to uncover how IL-18 influences skin inflammation and itch, with the ultimate goal of identifying new therapeutic approaches.

Dr. Sheila A Stewart's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding how specific types of cells in the breast cancer environment, especially senescent cancer-associated fibroblasts (senCAFs), contribute to the progression of breast cancer. By studying the interactions between these cells and tumor cells, the lab seeks to uncover new strategies for improving cancer treatments. Their research aims to reveal how senCAFs alter the immune response and the physical properties of the tissue around tumors, potentially opening avenues for innovative therapies.

Dr. Jonathan R. Brestoff's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding how immune cells, especially neutrophils, regulate brown adipose tissue (BAT) function and thermogenesis, potentially influencing metabolic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes. Additionally, his research explores intercellular mitochondria transfer as a novel therapeutic approach for treating Leigh Syndrome, a serious mitochondrial disease. The lab aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new treatments for these conditions.

Dr. David Piston's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding and developing treatments for diabetes and autoimmune diseases. They are particularly interested in how proteins from brown fat can regulate insulin levels and glucagon secretion to improve diabetes management. Additionally, they study the role of specific ion channels in the immune response, which could lead to new therapies for chronic inflammation and cancer.

Dr. Kodi S. Ravichandran's lab at Washington University focuses on how certain molecules in our cells help with communication and the removal of dying cells, which is crucial in maintaining health. Their research explores how these processes affect cell differentiation, particularly in fat cells, and how specialized proteins in immune cells help manage the cleanup of cellular debris during inflammation. Through their work, they hope to uncover new insights that could lead to better treatments for conditions like obesity and inflammatory diseases.

Dr. Kyunghee Choi's lab focuses on understanding how a specific protein called Myct1 influences both blood vessel formation and the immune response to tumors. By studying endothelial cells, which line the blood vessels, the lab aims to uncover how Myct1 can either promote angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) or enhance the immune attack on tumors. The ultimate goal is to leverage these insights to develop new cancer therapies that improve immune responses while inhibiting abnormal blood vessel growth.

Dr. Erik Herzog's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding how our body's internal clock, known as the circadian clock, adjusts to environmental changes, like the length of day and night. Through a blend of experimental techniques and computer modeling, the research aims to uncover how specific brain cells communicate and alter their connections to maintain daily rhythms in behavior and physiology. This work is crucial for revealing how the brain functions as a network and adapts to seasonal variations.

Joseph Corbo's lab is focused on understanding and treating retinal degeneration, particularly retinitis pigmentosa, a common cause of blindness. The lab explores innovative therapies that knock out specific genes to prevent the degeneration of photoreceptors, which are essential for vision. By utilizing advanced techniques such as CRISPR and examining multiple animal models, the lab aims to develop strategies that might help a wide range of genetic forms of blindness.

Dr. Takeshi Egawa's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding how CD8 T cells, a vital part of the immune system, make decisions about their fate when they respond to infections or vaccinations. By investigating the roles of specific signaling pathways and transcription factors, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms that lead to T cell differentiation, memory formation, and their potential for use in immunotherapy against cancers. This research is essential for developing improved treatments that harness the body's immune response to fight chronic infections and cancer.

Dr. Jeffrey I. Gordon's lab focuses on understanding how gut microbes influence the health and development of children, particularly those suffering from malnutrition. The lab has developed innovative food formulations designed to improve gut microbiota in undernourished children, which helps enhance their growth and overall health. By studying the relationship between specific dietary components and gut bacteria, they aim to create effective nutritional strategies that promote better developmental outcomes.

Dr. Gautam Dantas's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding how bacteria and viruses interact with the human gut microbiome, particularly in the context of infections like Clostridioides difficile. Their research aims to explore how early life factors, like antibiotic use, shape gut health and disease in children. By studying these microbial dynamics, the lab hopes to develop new approaches to prevent and treat microbiome-related diseases.

Dr. Eric J. Huang's lab at Washington University studies the mechanisms of neurodegeneration associated with mutations in the GRN gene, which is linked to diseases like frontotemporal lobar degeneration and Alzheimer’s disease. The lab focuses on how defects in lipid metabolism and endolysosomal trafficking in brain cells contribute to neuronal vulnerability. Through both human and mouse models, they aim to identify therapeutic targets for age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. Ta-Chiang Liu's lab focuses on understanding how HIV impacts gut health and the role of diet in gut immunity. They use advanced mouse models and cell culture techniques to study gut inflammation and the functions of special cells called Paneth cells, which are crucial for intestinal health. Their goal is to uncover mechanisms that contribute to gut dysfunction in people with HIV and those with obesity-related issues, ultimately aiding in the development of new treatments.

Professor Marco Colonna's lab at Washington University focuses on the immune system's role in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and other conditions. Researchers in the lab study how immune cells manage to clear harmful proteins like amyloid plaques and Tau aggregates in the brain. They are particularly interested in the function of microglia, a type of brain immune cell, and the receptor TREM2 which could be targeted for drug development to improve treatments for AD.

Dr. Nima Mosammaparast's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding how damage to RNA can lead to serious problems with genome stability in cells. Specifically, they investigate a newly discovered pathway where injured RNA causes DNA breaks, potentially leading to genetic disorders or cancer. The lab aims to uncover the factors that recognize and repair these RNA-induced DNA breaks to enhance our understanding of cellular responses to damage.

Dr. Kenneth M. Murphy's lab at Washington University explores how specific dendritic cells, called cDC1, help the immune system recognize and respond to infections and tumors. The lab focuses on the role of a protein named WDFY4 in both Treg (regulatory T cell) development and antigen presentation, essential for activating the immune response. Their research aims to uncover new treatment pathways for autoimmunity and cancer immunotherapy.

Dr. Ben N. Mansfeld's lab at Washington University explores how the timing of immune responses in plants, particularly through their internal biological clocks known as circadian rhythms, affects their defenses against pathogens. By studying a diverse group of plants called Solanum, the lab investigates how different environmental factors impact these rhythms and ultimately influence plant immunity. The research aims not only to advance our understanding of plant biology but also to draw parallels that could inform human health and disease treatments.

The lab led by Colin G. Nichols at Washington University investigates how potassium channels influence insulin secretion and cardiovascular health. By studying both the molecular mechanisms of these channels and their role in diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disorders, the lab aims to develop new therapies that can mitigate these conditions. Their work involves a mix of animal models and cell biology to better understand these important biological processes.