Dr. Nicholas Arpaia's lab at Columbia University focuses on innovative approaches to cancer immunotherapy, particularly for colorectal cancer and other challenging tumors. They study how engineered probiotics can enhance the immune system's response to tumors by delivering targeted therapies and vaccines directly to the site of disease. The lab aims to improve therapeutic outcomes by modulating bacterial behavior in the body and understanding how the gut microbiome influences cancer progression and immune activity.

Dr. Uttiya Basu's lab focuses on understanding how B cells, which are crucial for our immune system, diversify antibodies to fight infections. The lab is exploring the role of non-coding RNAs and specific protein complexes that help organize and modify the DNA in B cells during their development. Understanding these processes is important because mistakes in them can lead to immune deficiencies and cancers.

Dr. Hachung Chung's research lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding how specific RNA structures contribute to immune responses and inflammation, particularly in neurons. They investigate the role of long 3' untranslated regions (3'UTRs) in generating immunostimulatory double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which can trigger autoinflammatory diseases when dysregulated. The lab's work aims to uncover the mechanisms behind RNA lengthening and dsRNA production, with the potential for developing new therapies for neuroinflammatory conditions.

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. Donna L. Farber's lab focuses on understanding how regulatory T cells (Tregs) contribute to immune memory and protection against viral infections in human tissues. They explore the unique roles of Tregs in maintaining tissue homeostasis and tolerance, investigating how these cells interact with other immune and structural cells. This research is crucial for developing therapies for autoimmune diseases and improving tissue repair and transplantation outcomes.

Dr. Sankar Ghosh's lab focuses on understanding the underlying mechanisms of diseases like Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Alzheimer's Disease. By investigating genetic factors and molecular pathways, the lab aims to identify potential therapeutic targets. Through studies on long noncoding RNAs and mitochondrial function, they seek to reveal how these elements contribute to disease susceptibility and progression.

Dr. Ivaylo Ivanov's lab at Columbia University studies the role of specific immune cells in the gut and how they contribute to obesity and related metabolic diseases. By understanding how certain gut bacteria influence immune responses, the lab aims to uncover new ways to prevent and treat conditions like diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease. The research focuses on the connection between diet, gut immunity, and overall health.

Dr. Steven L. Reiner's lab at Columbia University focuses on understanding how to improve cancer immunotherapy, which harnesses the body's immune system to fight cancers. The lab is investigating mechanisms of T cell behavior in response to cancers and how to enhance their ability to persist and effectively attack tumors. Ultimately, their work aims to develop better predictive tests for treatment response and advanced strategies for patients who do not respond well to current therapies.