Dr. Isabelle Derre's lab focuses on understanding Chlamydia trachomatis, a major cause of sexually transmitted infections. The team investigates how this bacterium maintains its environment for replication and affects women's reproductive health. By studying the specific proteins involved in lipid acquisition, they aim to identify new ways to create effective therapies and prevent infections.

George Dimopoulos's research lab at Johns Hopkins University focuses on understanding how Aedes aegypti mosquitoes respond to infections by arboviruses like Dengue and Zika. By exploring the immune mechanisms within these mosquitoes, especially through RNA interference and traditional immune pathways, the goal is to develop innovative strategies to reduce the spread of these diseases. This research is particularly important for public health as it can lead to new ways to control mosquito populations and limit virus transmission.

Dr. Siyuan Ding's research lab focuses on understanding how rotaviruses, a leading cause of severe diarrhea in infants and children, spread between cells and evade the immune system. By investigating specific viral proteins' interactions with host cell components, the lab aims to uncover new ways to improve vaccines and develop effective antiviral treatments against rotavirus infections. Their work combines advanced techniques from microbiology and immunology to address significant health challenges, especially in vulnerable populations.

Dr. Victor J. Dirita's lab at Michigan State University studies how the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni causes foodborne illnesses. His research focuses on understanding how C. jejuni manipulates its environment in the gut to thrive, particularly through its use of oxygen. By using ferrets as a model for human infection, the lab aims to uncover the bacteria's strategies for adaptation and pathogenicity. The goal is to identify new therapies to combat infections and reduce antibiotic resistance.

Dr. Lorraine S. Symington's lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding how cells repair DNA damage, specifically double-strand breaks (DSBs). These breaks can lead to serious genetic issues if not properly repaired, contributing to diseases like cancer. Using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism, the lab investigates the molecular mechanisms of DSB repair and the factors that influence these processes, including the role of various proteins and chromatin structures. This research could have important implications for developing new cancer treatments and understanding genomic stability.

Dr. Minji Byun's lab at UC Irvine focuses on understanding how mutations in the DNMT3A gene, particularly common in older adults, affect inflammation and increase the risk for diseases like cancer and heart disease. The lab uses advanced human cell models to explore the molecular mechanisms linking these mutations to altered immune responses. Their goal is to uncover insights that could lead to new treatments for diseases associated with DNMT3A mutations.

Dr. Tamara L. Doering's research focuses on understanding the complex cell wall of the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, which causes serious infections in humans, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems. The lab studies the biosynthesis of beta-16-glucan, a crucial component of the cell wall that is not adequately targeted by existing antifungal treatments. By investigating the role of specific proteins involved in cell wall assembly, the lab aims to uncover new therapeutic targets to combat cryptococcal infections.

Dr. Sarah M. Doore's lab at the University of Florida focuses on understanding how bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect bacteria, interact with their hosts. The lab specifically studies a group of bacteriophages called Moogleviruses that target pathogenic bacteria responsible for diarrhea. By exploring the mechanisms of infection and replication of these viruses, the research aims to develop new strategies for phage therapy, particularly in combating antibiotic-resistant infections.

Dr. Naoshige Uchida's lab at Harvard University studies the neural circuits that control dopamine neuron activity, which is important for regulating behavior, motivation, and mood. Their research focuses on how different signals are processed in the brain's reward pathways and aims to uncover the mechanisms behind dopamine-related disorders like addiction and depression. By using advanced techniques, the lab investigates how neurons communicate and how learning influences these processes.

Dr. Stephanie Dorta-Estremera's lab at the University of Puerto Rico focuses on using non-pathogenic Streptococcus bacteria to develop new treatments for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). By studying how these bacteria can trigger immune responses and affect cancer cell survival, the lab aims to identify affordable and effective therapies that can improve outcomes for patients, particularly within minority communities. Students in the lab gain valuable experience in cancer research, microbiology, and immunology.

Dr. Gianpietro Dotti's lab at UNC Chapel Hill focuses on developing innovative therapies for ovarian cancer using modified immune cells. The research explores using CAR-T cells that target a specific protein called B7-H3 found on cancer cells. By reprogramming the tumor microenvironment and enhancing the immune response against solid tumors, the lab aims to improve treatment outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer.

Dr. Dongsheng Duan's research lab focuses on developing innovative gene therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a severe muscle-wasting condition. The lab employs advanced techniques like adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivery systems and CRISPR gene editing to enhance treatment efficacy and safety. By utilizing models, especially canines that closely mimic human DMD, they aim to refine therapeutic approaches and address challenges such as immune responses and treatment longevity.

Dr. Paul M. Dunman's research lab at the University of Rochester focuses on tackling the critical issue of antibiotic resistance, specifically in the bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii. The lab studies how this pathogen develops resistance through various drug efflux pumps, which can pump out antibiotics and render them ineffective. By identifying and developing inhibitors that can block these efflux pumps, the lab aims to enhance the efficacy of existing antibiotics and combat multi-drug resistant infections in clinical settings.

Dr. Christopher F. Basler's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine investigates how the Ebola virus assembles and infects cells, focusing on a key protein called VP24. This protein not only helps package viral components but also interferes with the body's immune response. By understanding VP24's functions, the lab aims to uncover new strategies for preventing and treating Ebola infections.

Dr. Sean R. Eddy's lab focuses on developing computational tools to analyze biological sequences and RNA structures. Their work is crucial for understanding evolutionary relationships among different life forms by leveraging large-scale genomic data. The lab's primary tools, HMMER and Infernal, help scientists find homologs of sequences more effectively, contributing to advancements in molecular biology and bioinformatics.

Dr. Nazira El-Hage's research lab focuses on understanding how certain medications used for HIV prevention, like cabotegravir, interact with opioids, such as morphine and naltrexone, particularly in individuals with opioid use disorders. The lab investigates how these drug interactions may affect drug metabolism, toxicity, and effectiveness, especially using animal models. Their work aims to provide insights that could improve treatment strategies for patients who are dealing with both HIV and opioid dependence.

Dr. Craig D Ellermeier's lab at the University of Iowa focuses on the bacterium Clostridioides difficile, which is responsible for serious gut infections. His research aims to understand how this bacterium assembles its protective cell envelope, which could help develop targeted antibiotics that don't harm beneficial gut bacteria. The lab uses various techniques, including genetics and microscopy, to investigate the unique features of C. difficile and its resistance to treatments.

Dr. Florian Engert's lab at Harvard University studies how the brain and body interact, particularly focusing on zebrafish as a model organism. They aim to understand how animals perceive their environment and regulate their behaviors through neural circuits that are influenced by internal states like hunger and motivation. The lab investigates the genetic and neural mechanisms behind social behaviors, such as schooling and shoaling, using advanced imaging and modeling techniques.

Dr. Raul Andino's lab at UCSF focuses on understanding how enteroviruses, which can cause severe illnesses in children, infect cells and tissues. The research utilizes advanced techniques in genomics and single-cell analysis to explore how these viruses replicate and how the body responds to them. The ultimate aim is to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of these infections, leading to the development of better vaccines and antiviral therapies.

Dr. Hyungjin Eoh's lab focuses on understanding how Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB), develops resistance to antibiotics, particularly in drug-resistant forms of the disease. By investigating the metabolism of trehalose in these bacteria, the lab aims to uncover mechanisms that allow M. tuberculosis to survive antibiotic treatments, which is crucial for developing new therapies. The insights gained from this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with drug-resistant TB, improving public health outcomes worldwide.