Dr. Ilhem Messaoudi's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how chronic alcohol consumption affects the immune system, specifically the roles of monocytes and their progenitors. The team uses a macaque model to study how alcohol alters gut microbiota, leading to inflammation and impairments in immune response and healing. They employ advanced molecular techniques to uncover the mechanisms linking alcohol use disorder to chronic inflammation and its related health issues.

Dr. Yasuhiro Suzuki's lab focuses on understanding how the immune system in the brain protects against infections from parasites, especially Toxoplasma gondii, which can cause severe complications in AIDS patients. They study the role of specialized brain cells called microglia in producing a signaling molecule called IFN- that helps activate immune responses. The goal is to find ways to prevent reactivation of the infection and develop potential vaccines for those at risk.

Dr. Kenneth A. Fields leads a research lab focused on understanding how the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis manipulates host cell biology to promote its own survival and pathogenesis. His team studies the proteins that Chlamydia secretes to alter the host cell's actin cytoskeleton and vesicular transport, which are crucial for infection. By exploring these molecular interactions, the lab aims to uncover new insights into Chlamydia-related diseases and their effects on human health.

The D'Orazio lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious brain infections, invades the enteric nervous system. They explore how the bacteria's specific characteristics help it to cross from the gut to the brain, especially in otherwise healthy individuals. Research findings could lead to new insights into foodborne illnesses and their impact on health.

Dr. Jennifer Simkin's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how macrophages, a type of immune cell, can promote regeneration in bone and soft tissue following injuries, such as amputations. By studying different types of macrophages in a mouse model, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms that allow these cells to aid healing and potentially develop new therapies for humans.