Daria Mochly-Rosen's lab at Stanford University focuses on understanding how certain enzymes in our bodies interact with ethanol, a common substance consumed by many. The research highlights the role of aldehyde dehydrogenases, which help detoxify harmful compounds from alcohol metabolism, and how genetic variations in these enzymes can increase the risk of health problems. By studying these enzymes, especially in different genetic backgrounds, the lab aims to uncover new insights into alcohol-related diseases and contribute to personalized medicine approaches for better health outcomes.

Dr. Kathryn A. Phillips' lab focuses on understanding how emerging genomic tests, like cell-free DNA tests and polygenic risk scores, can be integrated into healthcare policies and practices. The lab investigates payer coverage decisions to determine the economic value of these tests in both disease management and screening scenarios. They aim to ensure that advancements in genomic medicine are accessible and beneficial for all patients, addressing issues like equity and disparity in healthcare access.

Dr. Anand S. Mehta's lab focuses on developing new biomarkers for cholangiocarcinoma, a lethal form of liver cancer. The lab investigates changes in glycosylation patterns of proteins associated with cancer in order to improve diagnosis and prognosis for patients. They have developed an innovative method for analyzing these glycan changes using a streamlined antibody capture technique, aiming to enhance early detection and treatment options for cholangiocarcinoma.

Dr. Nouri Neamati's lab focuses on developing new drugs targeting a specific protein called GSTO1, which plays a crucial role in colorectal cancer and drug resistance. They use advanced techniques like gene editing and bioinformatics to understand how GSTO1 contributes to cancer progression and to find ways to inhibit it effectively. The lab's research aims not only to improve cancer therapies but also to provide insights into the immune response against tumors, making it relevant for advancing cancer treatment options.

Dr. Holly A. Ingraham's lab at UCSF focuses on understanding how the brain communicates with organs like the bladder and bones to maintain health, especially as we age. The team investigates neural circuits that influence urinary control and the relationship between the brain and bone health. Additionally, they explore the mechanisms behind abdominal pain related to digestive issues. This research aims to develop new strategies to improve health and quality of life for aging populations, particularly women.

Dr. Gemma Casadesus's lab focuses on understanding how hormonal changes during menopause affect brain health, particularly in relation to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The lab investigates the role of the LH/CG receptor, which is linked to neuroinflammation and cognitive decline. By exploring how this receptor can influence immune responses in the brain, the research aims to uncover potential therapeutic strategies for women at risk of developing AD as they age.

Dr. Patrick Robert Griffin's research lab focuses on understanding how steroid hormone receptors, particularly the progesterone receptor and the retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gamma (RORy), regulate various physiological processes. The lab uses advanced techniques like Cryo-EM and mass spectrometry to uncover the structural dynamics and activities of these receptors in complex with co-regulatory proteins and DNA. By elucidating the mechanistic details of receptor action, the lab aims to develop targeted therapies for diseases that involve these crucial proteins.

Dr. Mone Zaidi's lab focuses on exploring the role of pituitary hormones, particularly follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), in age-related diseases like osteoporosis, obesity, and Alzheimer's disease. They aim to develop therapeutic antibodies that can block FSH to prevent cognitive decline, bone loss, and obesity. The research combines insights from pharmacology, neuroscience, and bone biology to understand how these hormones affect health in older adults and to push new treatments into human clinical trials.

Dr. Rebecca Cunningham's lab focuses on understanding why women are at a higher risk for Alzheimer's disease compared to men, especially after menopause. They investigate how sex hormones and specific genes influence brain health, particularly examining the role of a hormone called angiotensin II in Alzheimer's pathology. Through their research, they aim to uncover new insights that could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies for this disease in women.

Dr. Donald McDonnell's lab at Duke University focuses on how hormones like estrogens and androgens influence cancer biology. They investigate the mechanisms by which these hormones affect tumor growth, immune responses, and treatment outcomes in various cancers. The lab aims to develop new therapeutic strategies that improve how we use hormone-targeting drugs to treat both reproductive and non-reproductive cancers.

Dr. Palsamy Periyasamy's lab at the University Of Nebraska Medical Center focuses on understanding the effects of HIV and methamphetamine on brain inflammation. They study how these substances activate astrocyte-specific inflammasomes, which are important for brain health. The ultimate aim is to identify new therapeutic targets to reduce neuroinflammation in individuals affected by HIV and drug abuse, improving their cognitive function and overall well-being.

Dr. Julien Albert Sebag's lab at the University of Michigan focuses on understanding how the protein Unc119b affects glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity. By exploring new compounds that boost insulin effectiveness while avoiding significant side effects, the lab seeks to develop better treatments for type II diabetes. Their innovative research combines live cell imaging and genetic models to uncover the mechanisms behind insulin resistance.

Dr. Alfred L. George's lab at Northwestern University studies genetic causes of epilepsy, particularly focusing on disorders linked to the KCNQ2 gene. They aim to understand how mutations in this gene affect brain function and lead to different severity levels in epilepsy symptoms. The lab utilizes advanced technologies, including human stem cell models and genetically engineered mice, to explore these mechanisms, ultimately seeking to inform new treatments for affected patients.

Professor Brian K. Shoichet's lab focuses on creating new methods for discovering potential drugs by using computational and experimental approaches. They especially aim to understand how different molecules interact with biological targets, like proteins, to influence health and disease. The lab works on large libraries of compounds to test how changes in these libraries affect drug discovery outcomes, aiming to find new insights into drug interactions and delivery methods.

Dr. Andrew B. West's lab at Duke University focuses on understanding the role of a protein called LRRK2 in Parkinson's disease and related dementias. LRRK2 mutations are linked to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, and the lab is investigating how these mutations affect neuronal health and inflammation in the brain. Through advanced techniques and patient studies, they aim to uncover new therapeutic targets that could lead to improved treatments for these devastating conditions.

Dr. Debra L Laskin's research lab focuses on understanding how inflammation in the lungs can lead to chronic diseases like asthma and COPD, particularly due to exposure to ozone, a common air pollutant. The lab studies macrophages, which are immune cells that can either promote inflammation or help resolve it. They are investigating ways to encourage these cells to shift from a pro-inflammatory state to a healing state, hoping to find new strategies to prevent lung injury and improve public health outcomes.

Dr. Yuru Liu's lab at the University of Illinois at Chicago focuses on understanding how certain cells in the lungs, specifically Type II alveolar epithelial cells, help repair lung injuries and maintain healthy lung function. By studying the signaling pathways that regulate these cells, the lab aims to uncover new ways to treat chronic lung diseases like emphysema and fibrosis. The research combines molecular and cellular biology techniques to explore how these cells behave during normal conditions and after injury, striving to discover potential therapeutic targets.

Dr. Andrew Anthony George's lab at Virginia Commonwealth University focuses on understanding how specific interactions in the brain lead to the memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease. The research primarily investigates the role of cholinergic neurons and a toxic form of amyloid-beta protein (oA42) that is implicated in neuron degeneration. By exploring these molecular mechanisms, the lab aims to develop targeted treatments that can prevent or reverse cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients.

Libin Xu's lab at the University of Washington focuses on understanding how exposure to benzalkonium chloride (BAC), a common disinfectant, impacts the gut microbiome and liver metabolism. This research is particularly relevant given the increased use of disinfectants during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lab employs animal models and human samples to investigate how BAC alters microbial diversity and metabolic processes, aiming to shed light on the health implications of these environmental exposures.

Dr. Giuseppe Coppotelli's lab at the University of Rhode Island focuses on the role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in aging and related diseases. They are particularly interested in how these mutations vary across different tissues and how lifestyle factors, like exercise and calorie restriction, influence these changes. By studying mouse models, the lab aims to uncover mechanisms that could help develop interventions to improve health as we age.