Jueqi Chen's research lab at the University of Chicago studies how certain bacterial toxins, called cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs), can activate the body's immune system by stimulating a protein complex known as the NLRP3 inflammasome. This process helps fight off bacterial infections but can also lead to harmful inflammation if not properly regulated. By exploring the mechanisms behind this interaction, the lab aims to identify new strategies for designing antimicrobial drugs and understanding how pathogens affect human health.

Dr. Tatyana Golovkina's lab at the University of Chicago investigates how certain retroviruses interact with the immune system and the microbiota to influence viral infections and cancer development. They focus on understanding the regulation of immune responses by a special molecule called H2-O and exploring how gut bacteria can promote or impede the progression of leukemia induced by viruses. Their research aims to uncover new mechanisms that could improve vaccinations and therapeutic strategies against viral infections and cancer.

Dr. Dominique Missiakas leads a research lab that focuses on developing new immune therapeutics, particularly monoclonal antibodies, to combat infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, a serious human pathogen. The lab studies the mechanisms that bacteria use to evade the immune system and works on engineering antibodies to enhance their effectiveness. Additionally, the lab is involved in the management and application of BSL3 (Biosafety Level 3) lab practices to safely research emerging infectious diseases and bioterrorism threats.

Dr. Shabaana A. Khader's lab at the University of Chicago is focused on developing innovative vaccines against tuberculosis (TB). They study how certain immune responses can be enhanced to provide better protection against TB. The lab uses novel adjuvants to boost the immune system's Th1 and Th17 responses, aiming to create more effective vaccines that can tackle both drug-susceptible and drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.