Dr. Sandhya Kortagere's lab at Drexel University focuses on developing new therapies for epilepsy, a condition affecting millions worldwide. The lab aims to create a novel drug that can help patients who do not respond to current treatments. By studying how a specific glutamate transporter works in the brain, the lab is working to improve seizure control and promote long-term brain health.

Dr. Christopher J. Kristich's lab focuses on understanding how certain bacteria, specifically enterococci, become resistant to antibiotics. The lab investigates the dynamics of proteins that help these bacteria resist treatments, as well as how intracellular signals influence this resistance. Their work aims to uncover new targets for developing innovative antibiotics that can effectively fight these resistant infections, which are a significant issue in hospitals.

Dr. Dirk Dittmer's lab focuses on studying Kaposi Sarcoma (KS), a common cancer in people living with HIV. The research aims to understand how antiretroviral therapy (ART) affects the development of KS, particularly in the oral cavity. By investigating the interactions between HIV, KS, and the immune system, the lab seeks to identify new biomarkers that can help determine the best treatment options for patients.

Dr. Shou-Jiang Gao's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding how the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) causes cancer, particularly in the context of HIV infection. The research spans various aspects, including how KSHV alters metabolic processes in infected cells and how the microbiome influences the development of AIDS-related cancers like Kaposi's sarcoma. By exploring these mechanisms, the lab aims to discover new therapeutic targets and improve treatment outcomes for patients.

Dr. Sebla B. Kutluay's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding how HIV-1 virus packages its genetic material, specifically looking at the roles of various RNA-binding proteins. The research investigates the mechanisms by which viral RNA is selected for packaging into new virus particles, aiming to uncover vulnerabilities that could be targeted for new antiviral therapies. This work contributes to our broader knowledge of viral replication and interactions between viruses and their host cells.

Scott J. Hultgren's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding bacterial infections, particularly urinary tract infections (UTIs) that are complicated by antibiotic resistance. Their research explores how bacteria form communities on medical devices like catheters, which leads to persistent infections. The lab aims to develop new treatments that are effective even against antibiotic-resistant bacteria by analyzing bacterial interactions and resistance mechanisms.

Dr. De'Broski R. Herbert's lab focuses on the interaction between sensory nerves in the skin and immune responses to parasitic worms that penetrate the skin. They study how specific neurons can help protect against these infections and how immune cells react to the urinary toxins produced by these worms. Understanding this relationship could lead to new ways to prevent infections caused by these parasites.

Dr. Breck A. Duerkop's lab focuses on understanding how bacteria exchange genetic material, which can lead to new traits like antibiotic resistance. Using a cutting-edge technique called transductomics, researchers in this lab analyze how viruses transfer genes among bacteria in the intestines, which is crucial for both microbial diversity and public health. The lab aims to identify these genetic exchanges in real-time to better understand their implications for human health and to develop therapies that can prevent the spread of harmful bacterial traits.

Dr. Vladimir Denic's lab at Harvard University focuses on understanding how proteins are formed and broken down in cells. The research explores a new chaperone system that helps build an important protein called eEF1A, which is essential for protein synthesis. The lab also investigates how cells manage damaged organelles through a process called selective autophagy, linking protein production and degradation. Together, this work aims to uncover the mechanisms that maintain protein balance and health in cells, which has implications for aging and diseases.

Dr. Ryan Langlois's lab at the University of Minnesota studies how viruses transmit between different species, particularly using models with rodents. They focus on understanding the factors that influence virus transmission dynamics, including immune responses and the evolutionary distance between hosts. The lab aims to develop new tools for studying zoonotic viruses, which are crucial for improving public health responses against emerging viral threats.

Dr. Lucia R. Languino's lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on understanding and targeting Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer (NEPC), a rapidly advancing and treatment-resistant form of prostate cancer. The lab investigates how tumor cells adapt and metastasize in response to therapy, aiming to identify new therapeutic targets. Their work combines various projects that explore cellular communication, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the tumor microenvironment surrounding NEPC.

Dr. Maria Lara-Tejero's lab at Yale University studies the machinery that some harmful bacteria use to infect host cells. Her team is focused on understanding how these bacteria inject proteins into host cells, which is crucial for their ability to cause disease. By using advanced imaging and genetic techniques, they seek to uncover details about this process that could help in developing new ways to combat bacterial infections.

Dr. Janine M Lasalle's lab at UC Davis focuses on understanding how environmental factors, particularly exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), affect brain development and behavior, especially in relation to autism spectrum disorders. The lab investigates the molecular mechanisms behind neurodevelopmental disorders, including the roles of specific genes and epigenetic changes, aiming to uncover why boys are more severely affected than girls. Through innovative use of human samples and mouse models, the research seeks to identify protective mechanisms in the brain that could lead to new therapies for autism.

Dr. Matthew Lawrenz's lab at the University of Louisville focuses on understanding how the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which causes plague, interacts with the human immune system. His research investigates how this pathogen alters immune responses and evades inflammation during infection. By studying the mechanisms that Yersinia pestis uses to suppress immune communication and acquire essential nutrients from the host, the lab aims to uncover potential new therapies for plague and improve our understanding of bacterial infection processes.

Dr. Helen Lazear's lab at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill studies how the immune system protects the skin from viruses like herpes simplex virus and other mosquito-borne pathogens. They specifically investigate how interferon lambda, a type of signaling molecule, helps control viral infections and inflammation in the skin. The lab uses mouse models to explore the mechanisms of immune response and aims to develop better strategies for fighting viral diseases.

Dr. Soo Chan Lee's lab at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind fungal infections, particularly mucormycosis caused by Mucorales fungi. The lab investigates how certain proteins, including calcineurin and protein kinase A, contribute to the virulence of these fungi and explores new strategies for antifungal drug development. By identifying specific genetic links and pathways in these organisms, the lab aims to provide insights that could lead to more effective treatments for life-threatening fungal infections in immunocompromised patients.

Dr. Sanghyun Lee's lab at Brown University focuses on understanding how viruses evade the immune responses of intestinal epithelial cells during infections. The research involves studying specific viral proteins that interact with cellular receptors to suppress immune signaling pathways. The lab aims to uncover the mechanisms behind these interactions to better understand enteric viral infections and potential therapeutic targets.

Dr. Jayhun Lee's lab studies a human parasite called Schistosoma mansoni, which can evade the immune system and thrive in the human bloodstream. The lab is particularly interested in how the parasite's esophageal gland helps it survive by breaking down immune cells that are supposed to fight it. By identifying specific proteins in this gland, the research aims to find new ways to treat schistosomiasis, a disease that affects millions worldwide.

Dr. Wenwei Li's lab at Yale University focuses on understanding how the HIV-1 virus fuses with host cells to initiate infection. They use advanced imaging techniques, particularly cryo-electron tomography, to visualize the interactions between the virus and cell membranes. The goal of this research is to uncover critical details about how HIV-1 proteins interact and change shape during the fusion process, which could lead to new treatments for HIV infection.

Dr. Yuxing Li's lab focuses on designing safer and more effective vaccines for the Zika virus, a significant public health threat. The research primarily investigates how antibodies interact with the virus and aims to develop a vaccine that not only provides strong immunity but also avoids potential issues seen with dengue virus infections. The lab employs advanced techniques to analyze immune responses and antibody dynamics in order to enhance vaccine efficacy.