Dr. Xinglong Wang's research lab at the University of Arizona focuses on understanding how the TDP-43 protein contributes to neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and Alzheimer's disease. By studying the interactions between TDP-43 and mitochondria, the lab investigates how changes in TDP-43 behavior might lead to neuron damage. This research aims to uncover critical mechanisms that could potentially reveal new therapies for these debilitating conditions.

Dr. Xiaoping Du's lab at the University of Illinois At Chicago focuses on understanding how specific proteins called integrins signal cells to trigger blood clotting and inflammation. The research aims to develop new medications that can prevent harmful blood clots without causing serious bleeding, addressing a critical need in treating conditions like heart attacks and strokes. By investigating these mechanisms, the lab seeks to create safer dual-action therapies for thrombotic and inflammatory diseases.

Dr. Robert H Tukey's lab at UC San Diego explores how exposure to environmental toxins, particularly triclosan, during early life can influence liver health in children and adults. The lab's studies focus on understanding how these exposures could lead to metabolic diseases and other health issues like severe jaundice in newborns. By using mouse models, they aim to uncover the mechanisms that connect early toxicant exposure to long-term health outcomes, particularly in relation to liver disease and gut health.

Dr. Zhenheng Guo's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding and finding new treatments for a common complication of heart surgery known as restenosis, which is the re-narrowing of arteries after they have been opened. They investigate the role of a protein called BMAL1 in smooth muscle cells and how it contributes to abnormal tissue growth in arteries after injury. The lab uses animal models to explore these mechanisms with the goal of developing innovative therapies to improve heart surgery outcomes.

Dr. Vsevolod V. Gurevich's lab focuses on understanding the molecular interactions of a protein called arrestin-1 with rhodopsin, which is crucial for vision. Researchers in this lab study how different forms of rhodopsin affect arrestin-1 binding and explore ways to create modified versions of arrestin-1 that could help treat vision disorders related to defects in rhodopsin phosphorylation. The work involves a mix of molecular biology techniques and innovative labeling methods to discover new proteins that interact with arrestin-1.

Dr. Thota Ganesh's lab at Emory University focuses on developing new treatments for Alzheimer's disease, particularly through targeting a specific receptor involved in brain inflammation. They are working on small-molecule drugs that can potentially slow down the progression of Alzheimer's by reducing neuroinflammation and improving cognitive function. The research aims to create effective therapies that offer hope to the millions affected by this debilitating condition.

Dr. Jennifer E Totonchy's lab at Chapman University studies the Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), which can cause serious health issues, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV. The lab explores how KSHV infects key immune cells in the tonsils, particularly focusing on plasma cells. By understanding early KSHV infection events, they aim to uncover new approaches to combat this virus and its associated diseases.

Dr. Zhao Zhang's lab at Duke University focuses on understanding how transposons, which make up a significant portion of our DNA, can influence our health and development. They use advanced techniques to investigate the regulation of these genetic elements and their interactions with our biological systems. The lab's work not only seeks to uncover fundamental mechanisms but also aims to find ways to control transposon activity for health benefits.

Dr. James P. Herman's lab at the University of Cincinnati focuses on understanding how traumatic stress affects the brain and behavior. The research aims to identify the underlying mechanisms in the brain that contribute to disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). By exploring the specific brain circuits involved in stress responses, the lab hopes to develop new treatment strategies to help individuals exposed to severe stress manage their reactions and improve their well-being.

Dr. Jeffrey B. Travers' lab focuses on understanding how aging affects skin cancer development, particularly in older adults. The team investigates the role of dermal fibroblasts and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in protecting skin cells from damage caused by UV radiation. By studying the effects of non-invasive skin rejuvenation techniques, they aim to find new ways to prevent non-melanoma skin cancers and improve treatment for at-risk populations, particularly post-menopausal women.

Dr. Joann Trejo's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) signal within cells and contribute to various diseases, including vascular inflammation and cancer. The lab explores innovative mechanisms that regulate GPCRs and their signaling pathways, particularly in the context of endothelial dysfunction. This research aims to improve therapeutic options for diseases related to endothelial injury by targeting specific GPCR signaling mechanisms.

Dr. Harold I. Saavedra's lab focuses on understanding triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a particularly aggressive form of this disease that affects many individuals in their catchment areas. By investigating the roles of specific kinases involved in cell division, the lab aims to uncover new therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes for patients, particularly those from diverse ancestral backgrounds. The research merges genetic analysis with experimental models to explore how targeting these pathways can help manage or treat TNBC.

Vera Moiseenkova-Bell's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on understanding the TRPV channels, particularly TRPV2 and TRPV5, which are important for various physiological processes. The research aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms that control these channels' functions, particularly in neurons and immune cells. By using advanced techniques in biochemistry and imaging, the lab seeks to determine how these channels operate at the atomic level, which could have significant implications for health and disease.

Dr. Mingnan Chen's lab focuses on understanding how specific immune cell interactions influence treatment outcomes for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). The research investigates how a new antibody therapy can effectively target harmful immune cells while minimizing adverse effects. By exploring the immune environment surrounding T1D and developing new antibody-based treatments, the goal is to enhance the safety and effectiveness of therapies for T1D patients.

Dr. Yin Chen's lab at the University of Arizona focuses on understanding how our immune system responds to Coccidioides, the fungus responsible for Valley Fever. With cases of this serious infection rising, the lab studies how special proteins in our lungs can fight off this pathogen, even in healthy individuals. By exploring these mechanisms, their research aims to find new ways to treat and prevent this disease, which poses a significant health risk.

Edwin Van Den Oord's lab at Virginia Commonwealth University focuses on understanding alcohol use disorder (AUD) by investigating gene expression differences in brain cells. Using advanced techniques like single nucleus RNA sequencing, the lab aims to uncover how specific brain cell types are affected by AUD. This research will help identify potential blood biomarkers and lead to better treatment options for individuals dealing with AUD.

Dr. Bennett Van Houten's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding how DNA repair proteins work together to protect the genome from damage caused by environmental factors. Using advanced imaging techniques and biochemical methods, the team studies the interactions between various DNA repair proteins and their role in different cellular contexts. The ultimate goal is to uncover the mechanisms of DNA repair, which can have implications for diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration.

Dr. Alex Dopico's research lab focuses on understanding how alcohol consumption leads to blackouts, a form of memory loss often related to a specific brain region and its blood vessels. By exploring the actions of alcohol on ion channels in the blood vessels of the brain, the lab aims to uncover new molecular targets that could be used to develop treatments for alcohol-induced blackouts. The research combines various experimental techniques to investigate how these mechanisms work at different levels, from isolated cells to living mice.

Dr. Sang Ging Ong's lab focuses on understanding how cancer treatment, specifically sunitinib, affects the health of blood vessels. They study the regulation of protein production in endothelial cells, which are critical for maintaining vascular health. Through their research, they aim to uncover mechanisms that could reduce harmful side effects of cancer therapies, helping to improve patients' overall quality of life.

Dr. Tohru Fukai's lab at Augusta University studies how the metabolism of endothelial cells (the cells lining blood vessels) affects cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis and diabetes. By examining the balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), the lab seeks to uncover new ways to treat these diseases. The research combines advanced techniques like genetics and metabolism studies to better understand the mechanisms behind vascular health.