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.

Dr. Loukia Parisiadou's lab focuses on understanding the early mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease, specifically how genetic mutations affect the health of dopamine neurons. By using advanced genetic models, the lab investigates disruptions caused by the LRRK2 gene, which has been linked to this disorder. The ultimate goal is to develop early therapeutic interventions that can slow disease progression and improve outcomes for patients.

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. Huiping Liu's lab focuses on understanding cancer metastasis and developing new therapies, particularly for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and COVID-19. The lab investigates how tumor cells interact with the immune system and how these interactions can be targeted to block the spread of cancer. Additionally, the lab explores the potential of exosomes as diagnostic and therapeutic tools against COVID-19, aiming to improve outcomes for infected patients.

Dr. Murali Prakriya's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding calcium signaling in the brain, particularly through specialized channels that allow calcium to enter cells. By studying store-operated calcium entry and CRAC channels, the team explores how these channels work at the molecular and structural levels and what roles they play in neuronal functions like memory and synaptic communication. The work is aimed at uncovering insights that could lead to new treatments for neurological disorders involving calcium signaling dysfunction.

Dr. Richard S. Smith's research lab focuses on understanding how ion channel dysfunctions, particularly in sodium channels, affect brain development and lead to neurological disorders in children. By studying these processes in unique animal models, such as transient transgenic ferrets, the lab aims to uncover the biological origins of severe brain malformations and develop innovative RNA-based therapies that can intervene early in life to prevent long-term damage. Their work combines advanced experimental techniques with high-throughput screening methods to create effective treatments for complex neurodevelopmental diseases.

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.

Dr. Rocklin's lab focuses on understanding how proteins fold and remain stable, which is critical for their functions in biological systems. They develop innovative methods to measure the stability of thousands of proteins at once. This research can lead to enhancements in drug and vaccine development by predicting how genetic variations affect protein behavior and by creating smart models to guide these processes.

Dr. Daniel Watterson's lab at Northwestern University focuses on developing new treatments for Alzheimer's disease by repurposing existing drugs. The lab is currently working on a drug called MW189, which has shown promise in reducing inflammation in the brain, a key factor in Alzheimer's progression. Through their research, they aim to streamline the process of bringing this drug to clinical trials, ultimately helping patients with dementia and related disorders.