Dr. Greg Delgoffe's lab focuses on understanding how the cancer environment affects the immune response, particularly T cells, which are crucial for fighting tumors. They study how factors like low oxygen levels and altered metabolism can change T cell behavior, leading to reduced effectiveness in therapies like immunotherapy. The lab aims to identify new ways to enhance T cell function in the context of cancer treatment, ultimately improving outcomes for patients.

Dr. Neal A. Deluca's lab focuses on how the herpes simplex virus (HSV) interacts with host cells to regulate gene expression. Their research aims to uncover the mechanisms that govern viral and cellular transcription during HSV infections. By understanding these interactions, the lab seeks to develop strategies to inhibit HSV replication, which could lead to better treatments for related viral diseases.

Dr. Renfeng Li's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a virus linked to various cancers. The lab studies how the ASB13 protein influences the life cycle of EBV, particularly how it regulates viral replication and reactivation in B cells. Their research aims to uncover new therapeutic strategies for treating EBV-related diseases by targeting the virus's behavior in human cells.

Rachel Gottschalk's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding how immune cells in the lungs, specifically alveolar macrophages, function during both health and infection. The lab investigates how signaling molecules in the lung environment influence the behavior of these immune cells, which can help improve treatments for infections and chronic lung diseases. By studying specific genes and signaling pathways, the research aims to shed light on how to better control inflammation and immune responses in the lungs.

Dr. Reinhard Hinterleitner's lab studies celiac disease, focusing on how certain gut protists can help the immune system tolerate gluten. This innovative research looks at the relationship between these protists and immune cells to develop potential treatments for individuals at risk of developing celiac disease. By understanding these interactions, the lab aims to create new therapies that could help prevent food-related immune issues.

Dr. Zandrea Ambrose's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding how HIV-1, the virus responsible for AIDS, develops resistance to a new type of antiviral drug called lenacapavir. By studying these resistance pathways both in test tubes and in specially designed mouse models, the lab aims to uncover how these resistant viruses may impact treatment and prevention strategies. This research is crucial for improving HIV therapies and understanding how drug resistance can affect public health.

Dr. Dario Aa Vignali's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding the complex mechanisms that regulate immunity, particularly in cancer and autoimmune diseases. They study proteins like LAG3 that inhibit T cell activity, exploring how these proteins can be targeted to improve cancer immunotherapy and manage autoimmune disorders. Their research aims to discover new ways to enhance immune responses against tumors while minimizing harmful effects on healthy cells.

Dr. Alok Joglekar's lab focuses on engineering immune cells to enhance their ability to recognize and respond to disease-causing pathogens and tumors. Through innovative techniques, the lab aims to transform how T cells interact with their targets, potentially leading to new therapies for diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. The research involves developing novel receptor systems that improve the signaling capabilities of T cells, ultimately aiming to revolutionize immune engineering.

Dr. Shou-Jiang Gao's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding how the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) causes cancer, particularly in the context of HIV infection. The research spans various aspects, including how KSHV alters metabolic processes in infected cells and how the microbiome influences the development of AIDS-related cancers like Kaposi's sarcoma. By exploring these mechanisms, the lab aims to discover new therapeutic targets and improve treatment outcomes for patients.

Dr. Marlies Meisel's lab focuses on understanding how certain gut bacteria affect the immune system's ability to fight cancer, particularly in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The research aims to explore how these bacteria enhance the efficacy of cancer therapies by increasing the activity of T cells that attack tumors. Ultimately, the goal is to identify new approaches that can improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients resistant to current therapies.

Dr. Smithgall's research lab focuses on developing innovative approaches to treat HIV/AIDS by targeting a specific protein called Nef that plays a critical role in HIV replication and immune evasion. They explore small molecules and specialized drugs that can selectively destroy this protein in infected cells, which may lead to a reduction in viral reservoirs and better antiviral immune responses. Their work aims to contribute to potential curative strategies for HIV infections.

Dr. Anthony R. Richardson's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding how certain bacterial skin pathogens can resist the toxic effects of naturally occurring molecules called polyamines. By researching the mechanisms behind polyamine toxicity and resistance in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Streptococcus pyogenes, the lab aims to discover new ways to create effective treatments for infections caused by these dangerous bacteria.

Dr. Mark Shlomchik's lab focuses on understanding how memory B cells develop and function, particularly in response to infections and vaccinations. By studying the molecular and cellular processes in germinal centers, which are key sites for antibody production, the lab aims to uncover how our immune system remembers pathogens and generates long-lasting immunity. This research has implications for vaccine design and understanding various immune-related diseases.

Dr. Harinder Singh's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding how the immune system, particularly B cells and T follicular helper (TFH) cells, responds to influenza vaccinations in children. The lab uses advanced genomic and immunological techniques to analyze the effectiveness of vaccines and aims to identify the molecular factors that lead to durable antibody responses, potentially improving vaccine strategies.

Dr. Rebecca A. Elsner's lab focuses on understanding the extrafollicular B cell response, which plays a key role in our immune defense but is often overlooked. The lab explores how this response is regulated and its implications for diseases like lupus and COVID-19. By investigating the interaction of B cells with other immune cells, and how they differentiate in response to certain signals, the research aims to uncover new strategies for vaccine development and treatments for autoimmune conditions.

Dr. Haitao Guo's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which affects millions of people worldwide. They investigate the role of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in the body's inability to clear HBV, which contributes to serious liver conditions like cirrhosis and liver cancer. By exploring the biological processes related to HBV persistence, their work aims to develop new treatment strategies for this public health challenge.

The research lab led by Dr. Lawrence P. Kane at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding how certain immune cells regulate the body's response to cancer. By studying proteins like Tim-3 and their interaction with other immune pathways, the lab aims to develop more effective immunotherapies for solid tumors. The ultimate goal is to enhance the immune system's ability to fight cancer by targeting specific immune cells and pathways.

Dr. Gary Thomas's lab at the University of Pittsburgh is focused on understanding how specific genetic mutations impact neuronal function and behavior. By studying disorders linked to mutations in the PACS1 and PACS2 genes, the lab aims to unravel the cellular mechanisms that lead to neurodevelopmental issues like intellectual disability, epilepsy, and autism. This research could pave the way for developing new therapies for these debilitating conditions.

Dr. Joanne L. Flynn's lab focuses on improving the efficacy of vaccines against tuberculosis (TB), a major global health concern. The lab investigates new strategies to enhance the immune response to the BCG vaccine using modern techniques and animal models. Their research aims to better understand how to protect against TB and identify key markers of vaccine effectiveness.

Dr. Charles A. Scanga's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on improving tuberculosis (TB) vaccines, particularly for HIV-infected children. The research explores new delivery methods and vaccine strains to enhance safety and effectiveness. Using animal models, the lab aims to better understand immune responses to TB vaccines and how these can be optimized for vulnerable populations.