Dr. Jonathan Abraham's lab at Harvard Medical School studies alphaviruses, which are mosquito-borne viruses that can lead to severe brain infections. The lab focuses on understanding the cellular receptors these viruses use to infect brain cells and exploring potential therapeutic approaches to prevent infections. By using advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy, the lab aims to visualize virus-receptor interactions and develop strategies to combat these dangerous pathogens.

Dr. Laura B. Dickson's lab focuses on understanding how the adaptation of the Aedes aegypti mosquito to low humidity affects its ability to spread diseases like Zika and dengue. By investigating the physiological and genetic changes that occur in these mosquitoes under dry conditions, the lab aims to uncover new ways to develop effective control measures against vector-borne diseases. Their research combines field studies with molecular biology techniques to explore the relationship between environmental factors and virus transmission.

Dr. Herve Agaisse's lab at the University of Virginia focuses on understanding the illness caused by the bacteria Shigella flexneri, which leads to severe diarrhea and intestinal damage. They study how the bacteria invade the intestinal cells and interact with the immune system, using infant rabbits as a model to better represent human disease. Through their research, they aim to identify host factors that play crucial roles in shigellosis, ultimately contributing to new treatment strategies for this widespread public health issue.

Dr. Rafi Ahmed's lab at Emory University focuses on understanding how the immune system responds to chronic viral infections and vaccinations, particularly in the context of T cell memory. His research aims to uncover the mechanisms that allow certain T cells to maintain their function over time, even in the presence of persistent viral infections. By studying these processes, the lab hopes to improve immunotherapies and vaccination strategies, particularly against SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging viruses.

Dr. Hisashi Akiyama's lab at Boston University Medical Campus focuses on understanding how HIV RNA and its modifications contribute to chronic inflammation in people living with HIV who are on antiretroviral therapy. The lab investigates the mechanisms by which HIV RNA triggers immune responses that lead to complications such as neurocognitive disorders. By studying these processes, the lab aims to develop novel treatments that can minimize inflammation and improve the health outcomes of individuals with HIV.

Dr. Ilhem Messaoudi's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how chronic alcohol consumption affects the immune system, specifically the roles of monocytes and their progenitors. The team uses a macaque model to study how alcohol alters gut microbiota, leading to inflammation and impairments in immune response and healing. They employ advanced molecular techniques to uncover the mechanisms linking alcohol use disorder to chronic inflammation and its related health issues.

Dr. Donghoon Chung's research lab at the University of Louisville focuses on developing new antiviral therapies specifically targeting arthritogenic alphaviruses like Chikungunya. The lab aims to optimize a unique antiviral compound that has shown promise against certain alphaviruses and enhance its effectiveness against other forms of these viruses, which have the potential to cause significant public health challenges. The multidisciplinary team combines efforts in structural biology, medicinal chemistry, and virology to create next-generation antiviral drugs.

Dr. Kenneth Stapleford's lab investigates how certain viruses, particularly alphaviruses like Chikungunya, infect humans and spread through insect vectors. By studying the molecular mechanisms behind these processes, his team aims to reveal how viral proteins adapt to different hosts and environments. This research can inform efforts to combat viral diseases and improve public health.

Dr. Charles L. Sentman's lab at Dartmouth College focuses on developing innovative therapies for Alzheimer's disease using genetically engineered immune cells. The lab's main project involves creating chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T regulatory cells that can target and clear harmful amyloid-beta protein plaques in the brain, while reducing inflammation associated with the disease. By enhancing the persistence and activity of these targeted cells, the goal is to improve treatments for Alzheimer's and its neurodegenerative effects.

Rama Rao Amara's lab at Emory University focuses on developing innovative approaches to vaccinate against HIV and achieve long-term remission from the virus. Their research includes creating DNA-based vaccines that stimulate both strong antibody production and robust cellular immunity, which are crucial for controlling HIV infections. The lab also explores therapies that target the immune system to improve CD8 T cell responses and reduce viral reservoirs, making strides in finding effective treatments for HIV/AIDS.

Michael J. Garabedian's lab focuses on developing innovative treatments for prostate cancer, particularly in cases where standard anti-androgen therapies fail. They are exploring a new class of molecules called peptoid conjugates, designed to effectively antagonize the androgen receptor and stop tumor growth. In addition to their anti-cancer properties, these peptoids may also stimulate the immune system to enhance cancer treatment effectiveness.

Dr. Ruslana Bryk's lab focuses on developing new antibiotics to combat tuberculosis (TB) and non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) diseases. They study a specific target in bacteria, lipoamide dehydrogenase (Lpd), to discover and optimize new drug candidates that can effectively kill these pathogens. The lab aims to understand the mechanisms of these inhibitors, improving their effectiveness and addressing the rise of drug-resistant strains.

Dr. Amy Kenter's lab studies how antibodies are formed by exploring the genetic rearrangements that create a diverse set of these crucial immune molecules. By mapping the three-dimensional structure of antibodies' genetic material, the lab aims to understand the factors that influence the selection and efficient use of these antibodies during immune responses. This research contributes to improving vaccine development by enhancing our knowledge of immune system function.

Dr. Benjamin R. Tenoever's lab focuses on how cells defend themselves against viral infections. They study a complex formed by the enzyme Drosha and the RNA-induced silencing complex, known as the ADAR-RISC Complex, which plays a role in antiviral responses. By understanding how this complex works, researchers hope to develop new therapies that can better combat viral diseases.

Dr. Margaret J Lange's lab at the University of Missouri-Columbia focuses on understanding the HIV virus, specifically its capsid protein and its interactions with host cells. Using innovative tools called aptamers—molecular constructs that can bind to specific targets—the lab aims to explore the structure and dynamics of the HIV capsid during replication. Their work seeks to develop new diagnostic technologies and therapeutic targets that can ultimately improve strategies for managing HIV infections.

Dr. Stephen David Bell's lab focuses on studying archaeal microorganisms to better understand fundamental biological processes that are also present in more complex eukaryotic cells. By investigating how archaea organize their DNA and manage gene expression, the lab aims to uncover parallels to eukaryotic systems, offering insights into evolution and essential molecular functions. Their work has significant implications for understanding the basic mechanisms of life.

Dr. Nicholas Arpaia's lab at Columbia University focuses on innovative approaches to cancer immunotherapy, particularly for colorectal cancer and other challenging tumors. They study how engineered probiotics can enhance the immune system's response to tumors by delivering targeted therapies and vaccines directly to the site of disease. The lab aims to improve therapeutic outcomes by modulating bacterial behavior in the body and understanding how the gut microbiome influences cancer progression and immune activity.

Dr. Ziaur Rahman's lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on understanding autoimmune diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). His research investigates how specific metabolic pathways and regulatory molecules in B cells contribute to the development of autoreactive cells and disease progression. The lab aims to identify potential therapeutic targets to improve treatments for SLE and related conditions.

The Baumgarth lab at Johns Hopkins University focuses on understanding how B cells respond during influenza infections to improve vaccine design. They investigate how innate immune signals regulate B cell activation and help generate strong antibody responses. By studying the mechanisms behind B cell differentiation and memory, the lab aims to find ways to create vaccines that offer longer-lasting protection against viruses like influenza.

The research lab led by Dr. Ethan Clark Garner at Harvard focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of bacterial cell division, specifically how proteins called FtsZ and FtsA deform the bacterial membrane to initiate this process. By studying these mechanisms, the lab aims to improve our understanding of antibiotic design and how to combat pathogenic bacteria more effectively. Their work combines in vivo experiments with in vitro studies to explore the physical properties and behaviors of these filaments at the cellular level.