Dr. Bhupesh Singla's lab at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center studies the role of certain proteins in the development of atherosclerosis, a major cardiovascular disease. The lab focuses on how vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and lymphatic networks contribute to plaque formation in arteries and explores potential new treatments to prevent or reverse atherosclerosis. By uncovering the mechanisms behind these processes, the lab aims to provide insights that could lead to reducing the impacts of heart disease.

Dr. Eleonora Grandi's lab at UC Davis focuses on understanding how atrial fibrillation (AF) affects men and women differently. This research is crucial because women often have worse symptoms and outcomes from AF. The lab uses advanced computational models and experimental techniques to analyze how sex hormones influence heart cell function and arrhythmia risk. Ultimately, the lab aims to develop better treatments that account for these differences.

Dr. Brady Atwood's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding how prenatal exposure to opioids, specifically methadone, affects brain circuits involved in alcohol behaviors. The research primarily uses a mouse model to investigate the differences between male and female offspring regarding their susceptibility to alcohol consumption. The lab aims to uncover the neural mechanisms that explain why males may be more affected by prenatal opioid exposure when it comes to drinking behaviors.

Dr. Aditya N Bade's research lab at the University of Nebraska Medical Center focuses on understanding the effects of antiretroviral drugs, particularly during pregnancy. The lab investigates how these drugs might impact neurodevelopment and placental health in both the mother and fetus, especially in the context of co-exposure to substances like nicotine. Their goal is to find safer medication strategies that improve health outcomes for pregnant women living with HIV.

Dr. Ludmila Bakhireva's lab focuses on understanding how early life exposures shape child development. Through the Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study, they are tracking a diverse group of 7200 mothers and infants to identify the impacts of various environmental factors, such as substance exposure during pregnancy. By using advanced brain imaging and extensive behavioral assessments, they aim to create a comprehensive understanding of neurodevelopmental trajectories during the first decade of life to inform public health policies.

Dr. Douglas A. Bayliss leads a research lab at the University of Virginia focusing on how specific neurons in the brainstem regulate breathing and arousal responses to carbon dioxide levels in the body. His work has implications for understanding disorders like congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which are linked to dysfunction in these neuronal pathways. The lab studies the molecular mechanisms and cellular functions of these neurons to gain insights into their role in respiratory health.

Dr. Kari Nejak-Bowen's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding cholestatic liver diseases, which are conditions where bile flow is impaired, leading to serious liver damage. The team studies the role of the protein beta-catenin in these diseases, using mouse models that mimic human conditions like primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC). Their research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind liver injury and find potential new therapies.

Dr. Sei Higuchi's lab at St. John's University focuses on understanding how bile acids influence food intake and metabolism, which could help develop new treatments for obesity. The research aims to explore the mechanisms through which bile acids affect hunger and energy balance. This work is particularly relevant as it seeks alternatives to current anti-obesity medications, with an emphasis on dietary and metabolic health.

Dr. Nathan Tykocki's lab focuses on understanding how our bladder feels full as it fills with urine. They study the mechanical properties of the bladder wall and how these properties influence our sensation of needing to void. By using advanced techniques from both engineering and physiology, the lab aims to uncover the connection between bladder mechanics and sensory nerve signaling, which could lead to better treatments for bladder dysfunction.

Dr. Thomas A. Blanpied's lab studies how specific proteins at synapses in the brain influence communication between nerve cells. They focus on a type of receptor that’s critical for understanding learning, memory, and various brain disorders. The research combines advanced imaging techniques with molecular biology to explore how these receptors are positioned and organized within synapses, impacting their function and the potential for plastic changes in the brain.

Dr. Robert J. Bloch's lab at the University of Maryland focuses on finding new therapies for muscle diseases caused by the absence of the protein dysferlin. The lab studies how mutations in the dysferlin gene lead to conditions like Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy and Miyoshi Myopathy, impacting muscle repair and calcium signaling. They aim to develop protein-based treatments that help restore these functions and test their effectiveness in preclinical models.

Dr. Marco Bortolato's lab at the University of Florida focuses on understanding the complex relationship between alcohol misuse and aggressive behavior. By using animal models, particularly mice with specific genetic traits, the lab investigates how early-life stressors and genetic vulnerabilities can lead to increased aggression and alcohol use. The ultimate goal is to uncover mechanisms that could inform better prevention and treatment strategies for these interrelated issues.

Dr. Yong Wan's research lab at Emory University focuses on understanding how certain proteins involved in breast cancer, specifically B7-H4 and CD73, can evade the immune system and resist treatment. By studying how these proteins are modified and regulated, the lab aims to uncover new strategies to improve treatment outcomes, especially in aggressive types of breast cancer like triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Their work could lead to the development of novel therapies that enhance the body's ability to fight cancer.

Dr. Hallgeir Rui's lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on understanding the complex mechanisms behind breast cancer, particularly the aggressive forms that resist treatment. Their research seeks to uncover why certain breast cancers, especially those that are estrogen receptor-positive and have a mixed luminal-basal phenotype, become resistant to therapies. The lab aims to develop better diagnostic tools and new treatment strategies to improve outcomes for patients with these challenging cancers.

Dr. Yaguang Xi's lab at the University of Georgia focuses on developing new therapies for difficult-to-treat breast cancer, particularly triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). They are investigating a new compound called LG007, which has shown promise in shrinking tumors and inhibiting cancer spread in preclinical models. The lab combines molecular biology techniques with advanced animal models to understand the drug's actions and prepare for possible clinical trials.

Dr. Mary Hebert's lab at the University of Washington focuses on understanding how medications taken by breastfeeding mothers can affect drug levels in breast milk. They employ advanced modeling techniques to predict how drugs may be transferred into breast milk based on various biological parameters. This research is crucial for assessing the safety of drug exposure for infants during breastfeeding and aims to fill significant gaps in current pharmacological knowledge.

Dr. Mark Beenhakker's lab at the University of Virginia focuses on understanding the link between breathing and epilepsy, particularly the types of seizures that often affect children. The lab uses innovative rodent models to study how changes in breathing, like hyperventilation, can trigger seizures. By looking at how blood chemistry, particularly carbon dioxide levels, influences brain activity, they aim to uncover new ways to treat generalized epilepsy more effectively.

Jochen Buck's lab at Weill Medical College focuses on understanding male fertility and sperm function, particularly during the process of capacitation, when sperm become capable of fertilizing an egg. The lab aims to develop non-hormonal contraceptive methods by designing inhibitors that target specific enzymes, with the goal of creating a safe and effective male birth control pill. This research not only addresses fundamental questions about male reproductive biology but also has significant implications for contraceptive development.

Dr. Anna Bukiya's lab focuses on understanding how prenatal alcohol exposure affects fetal brain development, particularly through changes in fetal cerebral arteries. By studying animal models, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms behind fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and seeks to identify potential therapeutic interventions to prevent or treat the damage caused by alcohol during pregnancy. The findings could lead to significant advances in public health by providing new avenues for treatment against the consequences of FASD.

Dr. Paul W. Burridge's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding and preventing heart and vascular problems in children and adults receiving cancer treatments. They use advanced techniques like human stem cells to study genetic factors that contribute to heart issues caused by chemotherapy and newer cancer therapies. Their goal is to create tools that help predict and prevent these adverse effects, particularly in underserved populations, like African American survivors of childhood cancers.