Dr. David A. Nathanson's lab at UCLA focuses on understanding and exploiting novel mechanisms of cell death in glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain tumor. The lab is particularly interested in a newly identified type of cell death called palmoptosis, which could offer a new approach to treating glioblastoma by overcoming the cancer's resistance to traditional therapies. Through investigating the molecular and metabolic characteristics of glioblastoma, the lab aims to identify potential therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Arumugaswami's lab focuses on understanding monkeypox virus, particularly how it affects the eyes, leading to serious conditions like keratitis and corneal opacity. They explore both the viral mechanisms that enable the monkeypox virus to evade the immune system and the host responses that occur during infection. The ultimate goal is to find new potential therapies to treat ocular complications caused by this virus.

Dr. Caius Gabriel Radu's lab is focused on creating innovative mRNA vaccines aimed at improving cancer treatment, specifically for pancreatic cancer. The research explores how these vaccines can enhance therapies that involve transferring immune cells to fight tumors. By studying these vaccines in complex mouse models that mimic human immune systems, the lab aims to address challenges in current cancer therapies and develop effective treatments for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.

Dr. Tanya Stoyanova's lab at UCLA focuses on discovering new treatments for advanced prostate cancer, particularly forms that are resistant to current therapies. The research aims to better understand the role of a protein called ATAD2, which is overactive in aggressive prostate cancer types, and to test new drugs that inhibit ATAD2 to see if they can help stop cancer growth. This work is essential because advanced prostate cancer has few effective treatment options and significantly affects men's health.

Dr. Johannes Czernin's lab at UCLA focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of treatments for advanced prostate cancer. The research primarily revolves around understanding how different genetic and immunological factors influence responses to a specific type of targeted therapy known as PSMA-RPT, which can improve survival rates but often falls short of optimal results. By analyzing tumor characteristics and immune interactions, the lab aims to develop new combination therapies that address treatment resistance and improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Ting-Ting Wu's lab at UCLA focuses on developing an innovative vaccine for Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), a major cause of cancer in certain populations. The lab's research aims to enhance both the antibody and T cell responses to effectively protect against KSHV infections. By creating a vaccine that improves immunity in high-risk groups, the lab aims to reduce the incidence of KSHV-related diseases, particularly in resource-limited settings and among individuals with compromised immune systems.