Dr. Brian Conlon's lab at the University of North Carolina focuses on understanding how diabetes affects antibiotic resistance in bacterial infections, particularly those caused by Staphylococcus aureus. The team is investigating the role of glucose in fostering antibiotic tolerance and resistance in these bacteria, as well as exploring the immune protein calprotectin's surprising ability to inactivate key antibiotics. Their research holds important implications for improving treatments for infections in diabetic patients.

Dr. Aravinda M. Desilva's lab focuses on developing improved vaccines for dengue virus, which is a major mosquito-borne disease. The lab employs innovative structural design techniques to create safe and effective vaccine candidates that can generate strong immune responses without causing adverse effects. By utilizing mouse models and advanced computational methods, the research aims to better target the immune system against dengue, contributing to public health efforts against this significant viral threat.

Dr. Gianpietro Dotti's lab at UNC Chapel Hill focuses on developing innovative therapies for ovarian cancer using modified immune cells. The research explores using CAR-T cells that target a specific protein called B7-H3 found on cancer cells. By reprogramming the tumor microenvironment and enhancing the immune response against solid tumors, the lab aims to improve treatment outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer.

Dr. Kristina De Paris's lab at UNC Chapel Hill focuses on understanding how to induce effective antibodies against HIV, particularly in infants. Their research investigates the roles of vaccine components and the host’s microbiota in the development of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), which are essential for preventing HIV infections. By exploring these mechanisms, the lab aims to enhance vaccine strategies for better immune responses.

Dr. Sarah Beth Joseph's lab focuses on understanding how certain HIV-infected cells manage to survive in the body despite the immune system's efforts to eliminate them. By examining the differences between 'early' and 'late' infection reservoir cells, they aim to discover why some cells resist clearance and how to enhance the immune response against them. Their work could lead to better strategies for curing HIV infections through improved identification and targeting of these resilient cells.

Dr. Dirk Dittmer's lab focuses on studying Kaposi Sarcoma (KS), a common cancer in people living with HIV. The research aims to understand how antiretroviral therapy (ART) affects the development of KS, particularly in the oral cavity. By investigating the interactions between HIV, KS, and the immune system, the lab seeks to identify new biomarkers that can help determine the best treatment options for patients.

Dr. Helen Lazear's lab at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill studies how the immune system protects the skin from viruses like herpes simplex virus and other mosquito-borne pathogens. They specifically investigate how interferon lambda, a type of signaling molecule, helps control viral infections and inflammation in the skin. The lab uses mouse models to explore the mechanisms of immune response and aims to develop better strategies for fighting viral diseases.

Dr. Nathaniel J. Moorman's lab studies how human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) affects the way human cells make proteins. When HCMV infects a cell, it seems to boost the overall protein production, but the lab is uncovering that this process is more complicated than it looks. They explore how specific cellular and viral factors interact to regulate which viral and cellular proteins are produced during infection. This research could lead to new therapies for HCMV by targeting how the virus manipulates cell biology.

Dr. Blossom Damania's lab at the University of North Carolina focuses on understanding how certain viruses, particularly Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and others, can lead to cancer. The research aims to uncover the mechanisms through which these viruses cause diseases like lymphoma and to explore new therapeutic approaches to combat these cancers. By studying the interactions between the virus and human cells, the lab hopes to develop strategies for prevention and treatment of virus-related malignancies.

Dr. John Milner's lab explores how specific proteins influence T cell behavior during chronic infections like HIV and hepatitis. His research focuses on understanding how epigenetic regulators can modify T cells, which could potentially lead to new treatments that restore their effectiveness. By studying the roles of certain proteins in T cell function, the lab aims to uncover strategies to combat immune dysfunction in persistent infections.

Dr. Rita Tamayo's lab studies the behavior of a bacterium called Clostridioides difficile, which can lead to serious intestinal infections, especially after antibiotic use. Her research focuses on how this bacterium varies its characteristics to survive in different environments, particularly how it balances the production of harmful toxins and flagella (which help it move and attach to cells) to thrive in the intestines. By uncovering the mechanisms behind this variability and how it affects the bacteria's ability to cause disease, the lab aims to contribute to new methods for preventing and treating C. difficile infections.

Craig E. Cameron's lab at the University of North Carolina focuses on understanding how certain viruses, particularly coronaviruses and non-polio enteroviruses, replicate their genomes and assemble themselves within host cells. By studying the enzymes involved in these processes, particularly the 2C protein of enteroviruses and the replisome of coronaviruses, the lab aims to discover new antiviral therapies and improve our understanding of viral infections. Their research has significant implications for public health, especially in combating emerging viral threats.