Dr. Sabine Pellett's lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison focuses on understanding Botulinum Neurotoxins (BoNTs), which are potent toxins capable of causing severe disease. The lab investigates how these toxins work at a molecular level, especially regarding their duration and potency, which are crucial for both therapeutic applications and understanding their risks as potential bioweapons. Through innovative experimental approaches, the team aims to develop better treatments and countermeasures against botulism and related disorders.

Dr. Pamela Rosato's lab at Dartmouth College focuses on studying the role of brain resident T cells in Alzheimer's Disease. The lab investigates how these immune cells, particularly a type called CD8+ tissue resident memory T cells, influence disease progression and cognitive decline. By combining mouse models with human tissue analysis, the lab aims to uncover novel therapeutic targets and improve our understanding of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's and potentially other neurological disorders.

Dr. Yasuhiro Suzuki's lab focuses on understanding how the immune system in the brain protects against infections from parasites, especially Toxoplasma gondii, which can cause severe complications in AIDS patients. They study the role of specialized brain cells called microglia in producing a signaling molecule called IFN- that helps activate immune responses. The goal is to find ways to prevent reactivation of the infection and develop potential vaccines for those at risk.

Dr. Christopher Byron Brooke's lab at the University of Illinois focuses on understanding how the immune system responds to influenza viruses. By studying how the virus interacts with the immune system during natural infections, the lab aims to identify key factors that influence how effectively vaccines can prevent severe infections and transmission. Their work combines clinical research with computational modeling to improve future vaccine development and public health strategies.

Dr. Laurent Brossay's lab at Brown University focuses on understanding how the immune system responds to viral infections, particularly murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV), which shares similarities with the human version. They investigate how Natural Killer (NK) cells behave in salivary glands during infection, revealing how these cells can limit immune responses without harming tissue. The lab aims to uncover the mechanisms behind viral persistence and the delicate balance between fighting infections and preventing damage to the host.

Dr. Vincent Michael Bruno's lab focuses on understanding and treating mucormycosis, a serious fungal infection that can be life-threatening, especially for individuals with weakened immune systems. The lab explores how certain pathways in host cells, specifically those responding to low oxygen levels, contribute to the infection's progression. The aim is to find new therapeutic strategies that improve survival rates and reduce the severe health impacts associated with this disease.

Dr. Vanni Bucci's lab focuses on developing innovative therapies aimed at enhancing the health of the intestinal barrier to help people affected by severe radiation exposure. They explore how the gut microbiome—the collection of bacteria and microorganisms in our intestines—can be harnessed to prevent damage from radiation. The lab works on engineering probiotics and designing dietary interventions that support the microbiome, promoting better recovery and survival following acute radiation syndrome (GI-ARS).

Dr. Susan Bullman's lab at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center focuses on understanding the interactions between specific bacteria, particularly Fusobacterium nucleatum, and colorectal cancer. The team investigates how these bacteria alter the tumor environment and influence cancer progression and patient outcomes. Their research aims to uncover novel therapeutic targets that could improve cancer treatment and prevention.

Dr. Mark Lang's research lab focuses on developing better vaccines for Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile), a bacteria that causes significant health issues due to infection. The lab aims to create a more effective second-generation vaccine and understand how the toxins produced by C. difficile undermine the body's immune response. By studying these mechanisms, the team seeks to reduce the incidence of recurrent infections and improve public health outcomes related to C. difficile infections.

Dr. Greg Delgoffe's lab focuses on understanding how the cancer environment affects the immune response, particularly T cells, which are crucial for fighting tumors. They study how factors like low oxygen levels and altered metabolism can change T cell behavior, leading to reduced effectiveness in therapies like immunotherapy. The lab aims to identify new ways to enhance T cell function in the context of cancer treatment, ultimately improving outcomes for patients.

Dr. Alexander D Johnson's lab at UCSF focuses on understanding the genetic mechanisms of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans, particularly how it can switch between two different cell types to thrive in various environments within the human body. This research is crucial because Candida albicans can cause serious infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems. By studying the white-opaque switching mechanism, the lab aims to uncover how this process helps the fungus adapt and survive in its host.

Dr. J. Victor Garcia-Martinez's lab focuses on understanding the effects of cannabinoids on HIV infection, particularly in the brain, and developing gene and cell therapies for curing HIV. The research explores how substances like cannabis can modulate immune responses in people living with HIV and aims to improve therapeutic strategies to eliminate the virus from reservoirs within the body.

Dr. Beiyan Zhou's lab focuses on understanding how type 2 diabetes (T2DM) increases the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). By using innovative computational programs and biological tools, the lab investigates the mechanisms that lead to elevated ASCVD risk in T2DM patients. The goal is to develop predictive models and potential treatment options that can better manage ASCVD risks in individuals with T2DM.

Dr. Jan E. Carette's lab focuses on understanding how certain enteroviruses, which can cause severe neurological problems in children, infect human cells. They use advanced human cell models to study these viruses' interactions with host cells, aiming to uncover new ways to prevent or treat diseases caused by these viruses. The lab combines cutting-edge genetic techniques with stem cell biology to explore the molecular mechanisms of viral entry and pathogenesis.

Dr. Etienne Caron's lab at Yale University focuses on uncovering how the immune system can be better harnessed to fight cancer, particularly through the analysis of tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) and self-peptides. By using advanced mass spectrometry and digital microfluidics, the lab aims to develop innovative methods for the rapid identification of key immune targets from small tissue samples, thus paving the way for personalized cancer immunotherapy. Their research challenges traditional views on T cell activation, suggesting that self-peptides play a crucial role in immune regulation.

Dr. Paolo Casali's lab focuses on understanding how epigenetics influences the immune response in diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). They study how specific genes and environmental factors interact to affect B cell functions related to antibody production. This research aims to uncover potential new treatments for autoimmune diseases by targeting the mechanisms behind autoantibody production.

Dr. Amanda Jamieson's lab at Brown University researches how the immune system responds to severe respiratory infections like influenza and bacterial pneumonia. They focus on a specific protein called Caspase-8, which helps regulate cell death in immune cells called macrophages. By studying these processes, the lab aims to find ways to improve treatments for infections that cause high rates of illness and death.

Dr. Yongrong Zhang's lab focuses on innovative approaches to combat Clostridioides difficile infections, a significant health issue linked to antibiotic resistance. The team is developing a probiotic yeast-based therapy that delivers antibodies to inhibit the production of this harmful bacteria. This cutting-edge research not only aims to reduce the infection's severity but also seeks to prevent its spread in healthcare settings.

Dr. Pei-Hsun Wu's lab at Johns Hopkins University focuses on understanding cellular senescence, especially in the context of aging and age-related diseases. By creating three-dimensional maps of tissues like the pancreas, breast, and ovaries, the lab aims to explore how senescent cells are distributed and how they contribute to various disorders. Their innovative approaches combine advanced imaging techniques and molecular profiling to uncover the complexities of these cells within human tissues.

Dr. David S. Weiss's lab focuses on understanding the structure and function of unique enzymes in the bacterium Clostridioides difficile, which is a major cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. By researching these enzymes, the lab aims to develop new antibiotics that target C. difficile without harming beneficial gut bacteria. This work is crucial for improving treatment outcomes and addressing public health issues related to bacterial infections.