Dr. David S. Weiss's lab focuses on understanding the structure and function of unique enzymes in the bacterium Clostridioides difficile, which is a major cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. By researching these enzymes, the lab aims to develop new antibiotics that target C. difficile without harming beneficial gut bacteria. This work is crucial for improving treatment outcomes and addressing public health issues related to bacterial infections.

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. Richard J Roller's lab at the University of Iowa focuses on understanding how herpesviruses assemble by examining the interactions between viral proteins. By using innovative techniques such as directed evolution and chimeric viruses, the lab aims to discover critical protein interactions that are essential for viral assembly and could lead to improved viral therapies and vaccines.

Dr. Li Wu's lab at the University of Iowa focuses on developing new strategies for treating HIV/AIDS by studying how the virus interacts with human immune cells. The main research involves exploring the role of specific RNA modifications in HIV-1, understanding the mechanisms that help the virus persist despite treatment, and investigating how host proteins can influence the immune response to HIV. Their work aims to uncover fundamental insights that could lead to more effective therapies for HIV infection.

Dr. Hillel Haim's lab focuses on understanding how HIV-1 can develop resistance to therapeutic treatments. The research aims to personalize medicine for HIV patients by predicting which viruses are likely to escape treatment. By studying the virus's genetic properties and how they change over time, the lab works towards developing strategies for more effective antiviral therapies.

Dr. Balaji Manicassamy's research lab at the University of Iowa focuses on understanding how influenza viruses transmit between different species and evade the immune system. They study the roles of sugars on cell surfaces that the virus uses to infect cells, aiming to uncover how these interactions can lead to pandemics. Additionally, the lab investigates a specific protein complex that regulates immune responses to viruses, which may help in understanding diseases linked to uncontrolled immune activity.

Dr. Stanley Perlman's lab at the University of Iowa studies the long-term effects of COVID-19, focusing particularly on how it impacts the sense of smell and brain function. They investigate the relationship between inflammation and neurological issues after infection, aiming to uncover the mechanisms responsible for these symptoms. The research uses mouse models to explore how the virus and inflammatory responses affect olfactory and neurological health.

Dr. Mary Weber's lab focuses on the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, the most common bacterial cause of sexually transmitted infections. The research investigates how this pathogen manipulates the host's cellular environment to evade the immune response and establish a stable replicative niche. By studying specific inclusion membrane proteins, the lab aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to better treatments and vaccines against Chlamydia infections.