Dr. Brian Paegel's lab focuses on developing innovative technologies for drug discovery by utilizing DNA-encoded libraries. They aim to create more effective methods to identify drug candidates that can target challenging protein interfaces, a vital step in the quest for new therapies. By employing advanced techniques like microfluidics and automated processes, the lab seeks to make drug discovery more accessible and efficient, potentially revolutionizing how new treatments are developed for various diseases.

Dr. Sudha Chakrapani's lab focuses on understanding the molecular workings of specific ion channels in the brain that are crucial for fast communication between nerve cells. By studying these channels, which play roles in vital bodily functions like movement and pain perception, the lab aims to find new ways to develop drugs that can effectively treat neurological disorders and chronic pain. They use advanced techniques to visualize these channels and determine how they are regulated in the body.

Dr. Diomedes E. Logothetis leads a research lab focused on understanding and treating epilepsy and heart diseases, specifically through the study of ion channels, which are crucial for cell communication. The lab works on innovative therapies for Dravet Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy in children, by investigating how activators of potassium channels can improve cellular function when sodium channels are impaired. Additionally, the lab aims to develop targeted drug therapies to address both atrial fibrillation and thrombosis by manipulating specific ion channels in the heart and blood platelets.

Dr. Daniel Jarosz's lab at Stanford University focuses on understanding how proteins behave differently in aging and age-related diseases. By studying how proteins can separate and form clusters as we age, the lab aims to uncover mechanisms behind various human diseases, especially those related to neurodegeneration. The research combines techniques from biochemistry, cell biology, and physics to explore the impact of genetic variations on protein behavior over time.

Dr. Zhen Yue Jiang's lab at Boston University Medical Campus focuses on understanding how neutrophils contribute to vascular aging and related diseases. They explore the role of neutrophil elastase, a key protein involved in inflammation, and how it influences arterial stiffness and cardiovascular health as we age. The research aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms behind these processes and develop potential new treatments to combat age-related vascular issues.

Dr. Paul Johnston's lab at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on understanding and developing new treatments for B-cell malignancies, particularly chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). They investigate a protein called Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK), which plays a critical role in the functioning of B cells. The lab aims to identify new molecules that can inhibit BTK without causing drug resistance, ultimately enhancing treatment options for patients.

Dr. M. Imad Damaj's research focuses on finding new ways to treat joint and muscle pain caused by aromatase inhibitors in breast cancer therapy. These side effects often lead patients to stop their treatment, which is concerning given the importance of these medications. The lab explores the role of a specific receptor in the brain that may contribute to these symptoms, aiming to develop new drug therapies to help alleviate the pain without affecting cancer treatment efficacy.

Dr. Melanie S. Joy's lab at the University of Colorado Denver focuses on understanding how cancer immunotherapy, specifically immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), can cause kidney damage. The research aims to develop preclinical models that simulate human conditions to study these kidney toxicities and identify ways to predict and detect these side effects early in cancer patients. The lab combines innovative animal models with clinical evaluations to bridge laboratory findings and patient care.

Dr. Norbert Kaminski's lab studies how cannabis use impacts inflammation in people living with HIV, particularly focusing on the effects on brain health. The research addresses how monocytes, a type of immune cell, become activated and contribute to neuroinflammatory damage in HIV-infected individuals. By investigating the relationship between cannabis use and inflammation, this work aims to improve our understanding of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders and explore potential therapeutic options.

Dr. Paul Kammermeier's lab at the University of Rochester studies metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), which are important proteins involved in brain signaling. The lab focuses on how these receptors interact with each other in pairs called dimers, particularly the differences between their homodimers and heterodimers. By developing new methods to isolate and study specific mGluR dimers, the lab aims to create a detailed atlas that will help in designing better drugs for various brain-related disorders.

Dr. Karthickeyan Chella Krishnan's lab at the University of Cincinnati focuses on understanding how a liver gene called L-PK influences cholesterol metabolism and the development of atherosclerosis, particularly in a sex-specific context. By using a range of advanced techniques, the lab investigates how variations in L-PK affect liver function and lipid levels, which are crucial for preventing metabolic diseases. The research aims to uncover potential therapeutic targets for managing cholesterol-related health issues.

Dr. Kamaljit Kaur's lab at Chapman University focuses on improving chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) using specially designed peptide-drug conjugates. These conjugates are engineered to specifically target cancer cells, aiming to enhance drug effectiveness while minimizing harmful side effects on normal tissues. The lab is working on innovative approaches that could revolutionize cancer treatment and offer better outcomes for patients.

Dr. Chengguo Xing's lab explores the use of kava, a traditional beverage known for its relaxing properties, to help smokers quit by alleviating stress and insomnia associated with tobacco abstinence. They conduct clinical trials to investigate how kava affects biological markers related to smoking and stress, ultimately aiming to develop a new dietary supplement that could aid in tobacco cessation. By improving the success rate of quit attempts, their research holds promise for public health by addressing one of the leading causes of preventable disease.

Dr. Marcelo G. Kazanietz's lab at the University of Miami focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind lung and prostate cancers, particularly how certain proteins, like protein kinase C (PKC), influence cancer development and disparities in outcomes. By utilizing advanced genetic engineering and animal models, the lab investigates how PKC contributes to cancer growth, metastasis, and the differences in disease progression seen in different populations, especially in prostate cancer among African American men.

Dr. Jennifer Kearney's lab focuses on understanding a specific genetic cause of severe developmental disorders and epilepsy. They study the KCNB1 gene, which is linked to a range of neurological issues, including developmental delays and challenging-to-treat seizures in children. By analyzing the effects of various mutations in this gene, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms behind these conditions and to pave the way for better treatments.

Dr. Fadi Khasawneh's lab at Texas A&M University focuses on understanding how the exposure of future fathers to electronic nicotine delivery systems (like e-cigarettes) impacts cardiovascular health and thrombosis, especially in offspring. Their research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind these effects, including how paternal exposure influences platelet function and blood clotting. By investigating these areas, the lab seeks to inform public health strategies and policies related to tobacco use and paternal health.

Dr. Sarah Huen's lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center focuses on understanding how the kidney processes energy through metabolism, especially involving ketones. They investigate the role of specific enzymes in kidney cells that relate to kidney health and disease, particularly in the context of kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. By studying these mechanisms, the lab aims to find new ways to treat and prevent kidney-related metabolic disorders.

Dr. Mei Yee Koh's research lab focuses on understanding how obesity influences liver cancer development, particularly through a protein called HAF. They explore the links between metabolic diseases, like fatty liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma, aiming to identify new ways to prevent or treat this aggressive cancer. By studying how HAF functions at the molecular level, the lab hopes to uncover new biomarkers and therapeutic targets that can improve outcomes for patients with liver cancer.

Dr. Xi Chen's lab focuses on understanding how mutant KRAS, a common gene mutation in several cancers, influences tumor growth and response to treatment. They are particularly interested in how cancer cells adapt to therapies and develop resistance, with a specific focus on a molecular process called proteostasis. By targeting these mechanisms, the lab aims to improve the effectiveness of existing treatments for lung, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers, potentially leading to better outcomes for patients.

Dr. Ashok Kumar’s lab at the University of Houston focuses on understanding skeletal muscle wasting, particularly in the context of cancer and aging. They investigate signaling pathways that contribute to muscle loss and how these pathways can be targeted for potential therapies. Another area of research includes studying Rhabdomyosarcoma, a childhood cancer, where they explore how certain proteins promote tumor growth and differentiation. The ultimate goal is to find effective treatments for muscle-related conditions and cancers that affect muscle tissue.