Dr. Marcelo C. Sousa's lab at the University of Colorado studies how certain bacteria, specifically Gram-negative ones, develop resistance to important antibiotics like colistin. By exploring the modifications in a component called Lipid A, which bacteria alter to evade these drugs, the lab seeks to identify new ways to make resistant pathogens susceptible again. This research is crucial for improving treatment options for serious infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Dr. Natalie G. Ahn's lab at the University of Colorado studies how proteins regulate cellular responses, especially focusing on the MAP kinase ERK2 involved in signaling pathways. By understanding the dynamics of enzyme activation and the effects of varying strengths of signaling, her research aims to uncover mechanisms that can lead to new cancer treatments. Students in this lab will gain hands-on experience in biochemistry and cell biology, contributing to important discoveries in molecular biology.

Dr. Xuedong Liu's research lab focuses on developing innovative delivery systems called gectosomes for transporting macromolecules like proteins and RNA into specific cells. These gectosomes are designed to overcome the limitations of current delivery methods, making it safer and more efficient for applications in gene editing and therapeutic research. The lab aims to enhance the targeting precision, safety, and scalability of these delivery systems in order to advance functional genomics and epigenetic studies.

Dr. Karolin Luger's research focuses on understanding how the protein PARP1 interacts with DNA and chromatin in cells, especially in the context of cancer treatment. By studying PARP1's structure and function, her lab aims to develop more effective drugs that can enhance cancer therapy, particularly for tumors with DNA repair deficiencies. Their work could lead to innovations in how these drugs are applied and how they work at the molecular level.

Dr. Alexandra Whiteley's lab at the University of Colorado focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind a severe neurodegenerative disease called ALS-FTD. They study proteins involved in neuronal dysfunction, particularly how the UBQLN2 protein affects another protein named PEG10, which may play a critical role in the disease's progression. The research aims to reveal new potential targets for therapies to treat this condition.

Dr. Robert Batey's lab at the University of Colorado focuses on understanding riboswitches, which are important regulatory elements that help bacteria control gene expression. The lab is exploring how these RNA structures interact with small molecules and transcription factors, which are proteins that regulate the activity of genes. The ultimate goal is to develop novel tools for RNA visualization in living cells and to enhance our understanding of gene regulation at the molecular level.

Dr. Dylan Taatjes' lab at the University of Colorado focuses on understanding how RNA polymerase II, an essential enzyme that helps transcribe DNA into RNA, is regulated during the process of gene expression. The lab combines biochemical experiments and advanced cellular assays to investigate the mechanisms that control RNA polymerase II activity, which is critical for normal cell function and can lead to diseases like cancer and neurological disorders when disrupted.

Dr. Maciej Walczak's lab at the University of Colorado focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and developing new antifungal treatments. Researchers in the lab study how proteins like tau are modified by sugars (glycosylation) and how these changes can affect brain health and disease progression. The lab also explores effective strategies to combat fungal infections that are difficult to treat, specifically looking for novel antifungal agents against valley fever.

Dr. Amy E Palmer's lab studies the role of zinc in cell biology and its impact on human health. The research focuses on how zinc dynamics influence cellular processes like gene expression and cell cycle, aiming to develop advanced tools for tracking RNA in live cells. This work seeks to improve our understanding of zinc as a signaling molecule and its connection to diseases.