Dr. Clayton Mathews' lab focuses on understanding how autoimmune processes trigger Type 1 diabetes (T1D) by studying the pancreatic islet cells. They investigate specific proteins that may change in structure due to various chemical modifications, potentially serving as signals for the immune system to attack. By characterizing these changes in affected individuals, the lab aims to discover new biomarkers and insights that could help prevent T1D in at-risk people.

The lab led by Dr. Laura J. Knoll at the University of Wisconsin-Madison focuses on understanding how the immune system responds to infections from protozoan parasites in the human gut. By developing advanced 3D microphysiological models that mimic the human intestinal structure, the lab aims to study the interactions between parasites and immune cells, which is crucial for designing effective vaccines against these infections. The research takes into account the complex environment of the gut, including conditions that affect immune responses.

Dr. Matthew R. Parsek's lab at the University of Washington studies how bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa form biofilms and establish infections. They specifically investigate how different internal signals affect the bacteria's ability to stick to surfaces and communicate with each other. Understanding these processes can help develop new therapies for managing infections.

Dr. Jason Carlyon's lab at Virginia Commonwealth University studies serious diseases caused by two bacterial pathogens: Orientia tsutsugamushi, which leads to scrub typhus, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, which causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis. By understanding how these pathogens interact with host immune systems and cells, the lab aims to develop new treatment strategies and enhance our knowledge of microbial infections.

Dr. Joao Pedra's lab focuses on understanding how ticks interact with their mammalian hosts during feeding. They explore the role of tick saliva and its extracellular vesicles in influencing skin homeostasis, particularly in how these components affect specific immune cells and skin healing processes. The lab aims to uncover the biological mechanisms of tick-borne disease transmission and how these interactions impact public health.

Dr. Andrew S. Pekosz's lab studies the measles virus, particularly focusing on how the measles vaccine works and its effects on the immune system. The research involves understanding the differences between the wild type measles virus and the vaccine-strain virus in terms of how they replicate and stimulate immune responses. This work is vital for improving vaccination strategies and understanding the long-term health impacts of measles infection and vaccination.

Dr. Marion Pepper's lab at the University of Washington studies how certain immune cells influence asthma, a common respiratory condition. The lab focuses on understanding specific types of memory T cells that respond to allergens found in house dust mites. By examining how these cells behave over time and in response to allergens, the research aims to uncover new ways to improve asthma treatments and prevent severe allergic reactions.

Dr. Brandon Lyon Jutras's lab focuses on understanding Lyme disease, particularly how a bacterial component called peptidoglycan can drive persistent symptoms in patients even after treatment. The lab investigates the unique properties of peptidoglycan from the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease, to figure out its role in ongoing health issues like arthritis. By uncovering how and why peptidoglycan persists in the body, the research aims to develop better therapeutic strategies for Lyme disease patients whose symptoms persist post-antibiotic treatment.

Dr. Stanley Perlman's lab at the University of Iowa studies the long-term effects of COVID-19, focusing particularly on how it impacts the sense of smell and brain function. They investigate the relationship between inflammation and neurological issues after infection, aiming to uncover the mechanisms responsible for these symptoms. The research uses mouse models to explore how the virus and inflammatory responses affect olfactory and neurological health.

Dr. Julie K. Pfeiffer's lab studies how intestinal microbiota affect the infection of enteric viruses, like reoviruses. The research looks at how different strains of these viruses interact with gut bacteria and how those interactions can either enhance or inhibit viral replication. This work aims to uncover the complex relationships between viruses and the gut microbiome, which could lead to new insights into combating viral infections.

Dr. Deepta Bhattacharya's research lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind antibody responses and immunity. They investigate how specific metabolic pathways influence the lifespan and function of plasma cells, which are crucial for long-term immune protection. By using advanced genetic tools and various experimental models, the lab aims to uncover the cellular and metabolic factors that determine how long antibodies remain effective after vaccination or infection.

Dr. Carlos Orihuela's lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham focuses on understanding how the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae invades organs during infections. By exploring the molecular mechanisms behind its attachment to cells and its ability to evade the immune response, the lab aims to improve strategies for vaccine design. Their research is crucial for developing better approaches to prevent severe illnesses caused by this pathogen.

Dr. Erich R Mackow's lab focuses on understanding how the Powassan virus (POWV), a tick-borne virus that can cause severe brain damage, infects the central nervous system, particularly in older individuals. The lab studies the differences in how the virus affects young versus aged mice and explores potential treatments to prevent serious neurological damage. By using advanced techniques like genetic engineering and single-cell RNA sequencing, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms of the virus's neurovirulence and develop strategies that could lead to vaccines or therapies for at-risk populations.

Dr. Ram Savan's lab at the University of Washington focuses on understanding how a specific protein modification called prenylation contributes to the body's defenses against viral infections. By studying how this modification affects the behavior and function of antiviral proteins, the lab aims to uncover new ways to enhance antiviral immunity and develop novel therapeutic targets for treating viral diseases. This research holds significant potential for advancing our knowledge of the immune system and improving public health responses to viral threats.

Dr. Maxim Prigozhin's lab at Harvard University focuses on advancing imaging techniques to study neural cells and tissues. By developing innovative probes, the lab aims to combine molecular and ultrastructural imaging methods to better understand how brain structures relate to their functions. This research is crucial for exploring the underlying causes of neurological disorders and enhancing our ability to visualize these complexities at the nanoscale.

Dr. Jay Rappaport's lab at Tulane University focuses on studying aging in nonhuman primates to better understand lifespan differences and aging mechanisms. They are part of a network of primate research centers that aims to collect and analyze data to improve health and longevity insights that can also benefit humans. Furthermore, the lab promotes collaboration and data sharing among scientists, enhancing educational practices within the field of gerosciences.

Dr. Jason Bartz's lab focuses on understanding prions, which are infectious proteins that can cause diseases and evolve rapidly when they infect new host organisms. The research investigates how different strains and substrains of prions contribute to their ability to transmit between species and adapt to new environments. By studying these dynamics, the lab aims to improve treatment strategies for prion-related diseases and prevent their spread.

Dr. Fabio C Re's lab focuses on understanding the role of cellular death processes, particularly pyroptosis, in combating bacterial infections such as melioidosis. By studying how specific proteins in lung cells respond to infections, the research aims to distinguish between protective and harmful immune responses, which could lead to new treatments for bacterial diseases. The lab explores both beneficial and detrimental effects of these responses to improve health outcomes.

Dr. Jianming Qiu's lab specializes in developing innovative gene editing therapies for cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder affecting the lungs. The lab focuses on using advanced techniques like CRISPR and rAAV vectors to correct genetic mutations in patients. Their research aims to enhance gene therapy effectiveness, making it a feasible treatment option for all CF patients, regardless of their specific gene mutations.

Dr. Frederick D. Quinn's lab at the University of Georgia focuses on developing novel vaccines to combat respiratory infections, particularly tuberculosis. Using advanced nanoparticle technology, the lab is researching ways to stimulate local immune responses in the lungs to provide better protection against diseases caused by inhaled pathogens. By combining multiple mycobacterial proteins with immune-boosting components, they aim to create a more effective vaccine that builds on existing methods.