David A Dubnau's lab at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences focuses on understanding how bacteria can take up DNA from their environment, a process that can lead to antibiotic resistance and other traits. The lab studies the detailed mechanisms involved in this transformation process using the bacterium Bacillus subtilis as a model system. Researchers employ a variety of biochemical and biophysical methods to investigate the proteins and processes that facilitate this uptake and integration of DNA into bacterial genomes.

Dr. Theresa L. Chang's lab at Rutgers University focuses on understanding how sex differences affect immune responses in people living with HIV/AIDS. They investigate how these differences impact disease progression and the persistence of the virus in the body, with the aim of improving treatment strategies. By studying a specialized animal model that mimics human HIV infection, the lab aims to explore the role of estrogen in immune regulation and viral persistence.

Dr. Pingping Hou's lab focuses on innovating cancer therapies specifically for pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of cancer. The lab is developing a unique treatment method that combines genetically modified macrophages with targeted cancer treatments to improve outcomes for patients. This research aims to enhance the effectiveness of these therapies while minimizing potential side effects.

Dr. Sylvia S. Christakos' lab at Rutgers focuses on how vitamin D influences intestinal health, especially as we age. They study the mechanisms behind vitamin D's role in calcium absorption and its protective effects against inflammation and cancer in the gut. The lab aims to uncover why older adults often experience a reduced response to vitamin D and how targeted therapies can enhance its beneficial effects.

Dr. Tania Wong Fok Lung's lab at Rutgers focuses on how the body's metabolism affects immune responses during bacterial infections. The research explores how different metabolic pathways can either enhance or suppress the immune system's ability to fight infections. By using various techniques including dietary changes and drug treatments, the lab aims to uncover new strategies for efficiently managing infections and understanding broader implications for metabolic and inflammatory diseases.

Dr. Chaoyang Xue's lab at Rutgers focuses on understanding how the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans causes severe brain infections, especially in immunocompromised patients like those with AIDS. The lab is exploring how this fungus uses inositol, a sugar found in the brain, to cross the blood-brain barrier and evade the immune system. They are also working on developing new vaccines and treatments to combat this life-threatening infection.