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.

The lab led by Robert B. Abramovitch focuses on developing new drugs to treat serious infections caused by mycobacteria, such as tuberculosis and other non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections. They are discovering potent new compounds that can effectively target these bacteria, which are often resistant to current antibiotics. This research is crucial since these infections can lead to severe health issues and are a global health concern due to rising drug resistance.

Dr. Andrew Olive's lab at Michigan State University focuses on understanding how the immune system responds to tuberculosis (TB) infections. The lab investigates the role of specific proteins, known as GSK3a and GSK3b, in regulating immune responses during TB. The goal is to uncover new insights that could lead to better treatments and prevention strategies for this serious disease.

Dr. Dohun Pyeon's lab focuses on understanding how certain viruses, specifically human papillomaviruses (HPV), contribute to the progression of head and neck cancers. They aim to uncover the mechanisms that allow these cancers to evade the immune system, particularly by studying a specific protein that degrades immune receptors, which helps tumor cells escape detection. By targeting these pathways, the lab seeks to develop new immunotherapies that could improve treatment outcomes for patients with HPV-related head and neck cancers.

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.