Dr. Shipra Vaishnava's lab at Brown University studies how vitamin A interacts with gut bacteria to influence immune health and gut barrier function. They explore the role of retinoic acid, a vitamin A metabolite, in regulating immune responses and epithelial regeneration, aiming to reveal new insights that could lead to dietary or microbial therapies for diseases involving gut barrier dysfunction.

Dr. Sylvia S. Christakos' lab at Rutgers focuses on how vitamin D influences intestinal health, especially as we age. They study the mechanisms behind vitamin D's role in calcium absorption and its protective effects against inflammation and cancer in the gut. The lab aims to uncover why older adults often experience a reduced response to vitamin D and how targeted therapies can enhance its beneficial effects.

Dr. Ulrich H. Von Andrian's lab at Harvard Medical School focuses on understanding how the immune system responds to infections, particularly in the nasal mucosa, which is often the first line of defense against airborne pathogens. The lab uses advanced microscopy techniques to study the dynamic behavior of immune cells like neutrophils and how they interact within different regions of the nasal cavity. Additionally, the lab explores the mechanisms behind lymphocyte trafficking in the body, investigating how certain blood vessels help immune cells reach their infection sites. This research has important implications for improving vaccine efficacy and developing treatments for diseases related to inflammation and cancer.

Dr. Angela Raquel Wahl's lab focuses on understanding the role of myeloid cells, particularly microglia, in the persistence of HIV in the brain. By studying these cells in a humanized mouse model, her research aims to uncover how HIV might hide in the brain, avoid eradication strategies, and lead to complications in patients even when treated with antiretroviral therapy. Ultimately, this work seeks to contribute to the development of more effective HIV cure strategies that can target the central nervous system.

Dr. Jennillee Wallace's lab at Rush University Medical Center studies how HIV affects the brain, specifically looking at its impact on cognitive functions and inflammation. By using human-mouse chimera models, the lab investigates how HIV-infected immune cells infiltrate the brain and contribute to cognitive deficits. This research aims to deepen our understanding of neuroHIV, especially in individuals undergoing antiretroviral therapy.

Dr. Penghua Wang's lab focuses on understanding the role of non-canonical inflammasomes in the immune response, particularly during infections that can lead to severe illnesses like sepsis. By studying how specific proteins, such as UBXN1, regulate inflammation, the lab aims to uncover new pathways that could lead to better treatments for sepsis and related inflammatory diseases.

Dr. Tian Wang's lab focuses on developing innovative vaccines to combat COVID-19, particularly using a novel approach involving porous silicon microparticles. They aim to enhance both systemic and mucosal immunity against SARS-CoV-2 variants, making vaccination more effective through different delivery methods. The research holds potential for long-term protection against viral infections and improving public health responses to pandemics.

Chyung-Ru Wang's research lab at Northwestern University investigates how a specific type of immune cell, called Group 1 CD1-restricted T cells, interacts with lipid antigens during infections like tuberculosis. They are particularly interested in how conditions like hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat in the blood) can affect these T cells and their memory responses to infections. Their findings may lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases and improved vaccines.

Dr. Eric A Weaver's lab focuses on developing innovative vaccines to prevent pandemic influenza viruses. They aim to create a universal influenza vaccine that can offer long-lasting protection against different strains of the virus. By combining various promising strategies, such as the use of conserved protein parts from the virus and advanced delivery systems, the lab is working toward a vaccine that is more effective than current options.

Dr. Susan R. Weiss's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on understanding how different types of coronaviruses interact with the human immune system. They study how these viruses, like SARS-CoV-2 and MERS, evade immune responses and lead to varying disease severities. The lab also examines the nasal epithelial cells, the first line of defense against these infections, to find ways to improve treatments and prepare for future outbreaks.

Dr. Jing Wen's lab at UCLA focuses on developing innovative solutions to combat HIV, especially in infants. They are exploring a new method to deliver broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) more effectively across the blood-brain barrier to target infections and reservoirs in the central nervous system (CNS). This research is crucial for improving treatments for infants infected with HIV and reducing neurological complications related to the virus.

Dr. Zhiyong Xi's lab at Michigan State University focuses on developing innovative strategies to control malaria using Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. The lab studies how environmental factors and genetics affect the ability of these mosquitoes to block malaria parasites. Their research aims to create new lines of mosquitoes that enhance disease resistance in a sustainable way, contributing to public health efforts against malaria.

Dr. Tania Wong Fok Lung's lab at Rutgers focuses on how the body's metabolism affects immune responses during bacterial infections. The research explores how different metabolic pathways can either enhance or suppress the immune system's ability to fight infections. By using various techniques including dietary changes and drug treatments, the lab aims to uncover new strategies for efficiently managing infections and understanding broader implications for metabolic and inflammatory diseases.

Dr. Tuoqi Wu's lab focuses on understanding how specific immune cells, called CD8 T cells, respond to chronic viral infections like HIV, HBV, and HCV. Their research aims to enhance the immune response against these viruses by investigating different types of CD8 T cells, particularly a special group that is more effective in fighting infections. By uncovering the mechanisms that allow these cells to maintain their functionality over time, they hope to develop new strategies to improve immunotherapies for chronic infections.

Dr. Yan Xiang's research lab focuses on understanding how certain viruses, specifically poxviruses like monkeypox, interact with their hosts. The lab investigates the cellular defense mechanisms that identify and restrict viral infections and how viruses adapt to overcome these defenses. By studying these interactions, the lab aims to uncover new antiviral strategies and contribute to public health efforts against viral outbreaks.

Dr. Chaoyang Xue's lab at Rutgers focuses on understanding how the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans causes severe brain infections, especially in immunocompromised patients like those with AIDS. The lab is exploring how this fungus uses inositol, a sugar found in the brain, to cross the blood-brain barrier and evade the immune system. They are also working on developing new vaccines and treatments to combat this life-threatening infection.

Professor Felix Yarovinsky's lab at the University of Rochester focuses on understanding how the immune system fights off infections from protozoan parasites like Cryptosporidium and Toxoplasma gondii. The lab investigates how our innate immune responses, particularly through the action of a molecule called interferon gamma (IFN-γ), help protect against these pathogens, especially in vulnerable populations such as young children and immunocompromised individuals. By studying immune responses and developing mouse models, the lab aims to discover new ways to tackle these infections and improve public health outcomes.

Dr. Momoko Yoshimoto's research focuses on understanding how different types of B cells develop from various origins during fetal development and their significance in health and disease. Her lab explores the developmental pathways of B cells that arise independently of hematopoietic stem cells, which challenges traditional views in immunology. By using advanced mouse models, the lab aims to uncover the functional differences between these newly identified B cell subsets and their counterparts derived from the bone marrow.

Dihua Yu's lab focuses on understanding brain metastasis, a serious complication for many cancer patients. The research examines how brain cancer cells interact with brain immune cells to improve treatment strategies. By studying these interactions, the lab aims to develop new therapies that can enhance immune responses and potentially improve survival rates for patients with brain metastases.

Dr. Yiping Zhu's lab at the University of Rochester focuses on understanding how HIV-1 manipulates cellular processes to enhance its replication and cause neurotoxicity. They study a specific mechanism known as ribosomal frameshifting, which is crucial for producing proteins that support the virus. By investigating how HIV-1 influences modifications of cellular components, the lab aims to uncover new strategies for treating HIV-1 infection and preventing associated cognitive disorders.