Dr. Stephen M. King's lab at the University of Connecticut focuses on the biology of motile cilia, which are tiny hair-like structures that help cells move and communicate. They conduct research using the green alga Chlamydomonas to understand how cilia are formed, how they beat, and how they release signals that affect other cells. The lab aims to discover new mechanisms involved in ciliary movement and the role of peptide signals in cell interactions, which are important for proper human development and health.

Dr. Lisa Miorin's lab focuses on understanding how specific genetic mutations affect the body's ability to fight off infections, particularly influenza. By studying a protein called ANKEF1 that helps move cilia in airway cells, the lab investigates how mutations can lead to severe complications like pneumonia and encephalitis. The research utilizes advanced technologies to explore the relationships between ciliary function, viral infections, and immune responses to identify potential new therapies for severe respiratory diseases.

Dr. Maria Ciofani's lab at Duke University investigates the genetic factors contributing to multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease marked by inflammation and damage in the central nervous system. The team focuses on understanding how specific noncoding genetic variations influence immune responses, particularly those of CD4 T cells, in MS. By utilizing advanced genomic techniques, they aim to identify critical regulatory variants that may lead to new treatment strategies for MS.

Dr. John David Farrar's lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center studies how the body's internal clocks, known as circadian rhythms, affect immune responses, particularly in T cells responding to influenza. The lab investigates the role of specific receptors that communicate signals from the nervous system to immune cells, aiming to better understand how timing influences the effectiveness of immunity. This research could lead to advancements in vaccine design and improve our insights into how time-related factors such as jet lag affect immune function during viral infections.

Dr. Anna Ruth Cliffe's lab at the University of Virginia focuses on understanding how the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) establishes and maintains latency in neurons. This work investigates the role of specific proteins, particularly ATRX, in silencing the viral genome to prevent reactivation, which can lead to disease. The lab aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms that contribute to HSV latency and explore potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate reactivation of the virus.

Dr. Modupe Coker's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on how oral bacteria influences human health, particularly in children and adolescents affected by HIV. They are investigating how oral HPV infections develop in youth born to mothers with HIV compared to those born to uninfected mothers. The lab aims to identify the relationship between oral microbiomes and the persistence of HPV infections, paving the way for future preventive measures and treatments.

Dr. Brian Conlon's lab at the University of North Carolina focuses on understanding how diabetes affects antibiotic resistance in bacterial infections, particularly those caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The team is investigating the role of glucose in fostering antibiotic tolerance and resistance in these bacteria, as well as exploring the immune protein calprotectin's surprising ability to inactivate key antibiotics. Their research holds important implications for improving treatments for infections in diabetic patients.

The lab of Dr. John H. Connor at Boston University focuses on developing new antiviral medications targeting poxviruses, including those that cause smallpox and mpox. The team is working on a new class of antiviral compounds known as pyridopyrimidinones, which aim to inhibit viral replication by interfering with viral RNA synthesis. By utilizing various in vitro and animal models, the lab hopes to create effective, safe treatments for poxviral infections that are crucial for public health.

Dr. Isabelle Coppens leads a research lab at Johns Hopkins University that focuses on understanding how the Toxoplasma gondii parasite survives inside host cells. Her team investigates the ways in which this parasite hijacks lipid transport mechanisms from mammalian cells, allowing it to acquire essential nutrients for survival. This research has implications for developing treatments against Toxoplasma and enhancing our understanding of cellular processes.

Dr. Robert Benjamin Levy's lab at the University of Miami School of Medicine focuses on improving outcomes for corneal transplants by manipulating the immune system. The research aims to induce long-lasting immune tolerance to prevent transplant rejection, particularly in high-risk patients. By studying regulatory T cells and using innovative therapies, the lab seeks to develop new strategies to maintain corneal clarity and enhance the success of corneal transplantation.

Dr. Arturo Casadevall's lab at Johns Hopkins University focuses on understanding the biology of Cryptococcus neoformans, a dangerous fungal pathogen. The lab investigates how this fungus produces melanin, which helps it evade the immune system and resist antifungal treatments. By studying this process, the lab aims to develop new drugs and diagnostic tools to treat infections caused by drug-resistant fungi, ultimately improving health outcomes for people, especially those with weakened immune systems.

Dr. Guoshun Wang's lab focuses on understanding cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder that affects multiple organ systems, particularly the lungs. The lab investigates the role of neutrophils, a type of immune cell, in the development and progression of CF, challenging the traditional view that emphasizes epithelial cell dysfunction alone. Through their research, they aim to uncover new insights into how neutrophils contribute to inflammation and infections in CF, potentially leading to innovative therapeutic strategies.

Domenico Tortorella's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on developing new antiviral treatments for human cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common virus that can cause severe illness in newborns and immunocompromised patients. The research aims to identify and create compounds that can inhibit the early stages of CMV infection, potentially preventing its spread and reducing the associated health risks for vulnerable populations. This work is crucial as existing treatments often lead to drug resistance and severe side effects.

Dr. Ivan D'Orso's lab focuses on understanding how the HIV-1 virus remains hidden in the body and how it can be reactivated. They explore the role of transcription factors and viral enhancers in regulating HIV-1's activation, which could lead to new treatments or cures for HIV infections. By studying cellular models and samples from infected patients, the lab aims to reveal the mechanisms that control HIV's behavior in latent states, contributing to the global effort to end the HIV epidemic.

Dr. Robert A. Davey's lab at Boston University focuses on studying emerging infectious diseases in a highly secure biocontainment facility. The lab conducts innovative research to develop diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines to protect public health. It also trains the next generation of scientists to handle high-risk pathogens safely.

Dr. Mark Morris Davis's lab focuses on understanding how the immune system changes with age, particularly how these changes relate to health outcomes like mortality and disease vulnerability. By studying various cohorts of individuals at different life stages, including both young and older adults, the lab aims to identify specific markers of immune aging and how they can influence responses to vaccines, such as the flu shot. The insights gained from this research have the potential to enhance our understanding of immune health and contribute to better aging strategies.

Dr. Neal A. Deluca's lab focuses on how the herpes simplex virus (HSV) interacts with host cells to regulate gene expression. Their research aims to uncover the mechanisms that govern viral and cellular transcription during HSV infections. By understanding these interactions, the lab seeks to develop strategies to inhibit HSV replication, which could lead to better treatments for related viral diseases.

Dr. Julie Zissimopoulos' lab focuses on understanding the economic and financial impacts of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The research aims to provide comprehensive and reproducible cost estimates that reflect the true burden of dementia on individuals, families, and society. By leveraging advanced modeling techniques and a multidisciplinary approach, the lab seeks to enhance the capacity for future research and inform healthcare decision-making regarding dementia care and support.

Dr. Aravinda M. Desilva's lab focuses on developing improved vaccines for dengue virus, which is a major mosquito-borne disease. The lab employs innovative structural design techniques to create safe and effective vaccine candidates that can generate strong immune responses without causing adverse effects. By utilizing mouse models and advanced computational methods, the research aims to better target the immune system against dengue, contributing to public health efforts against this significant viral threat.

Dr. Adam T. Waickman's lab focuses on understanding how dengue virus infection interacts with the immune system, particularly through a mechanism called B-cell receptor dependent enhancement (BDE). They investigate why some individuals experience severe symptoms while others remain asymptomatic after infection. Their research aims to reveal how B cells, typically involved in immune protection, can also contribute to the risk of severe dengue outcomes.