Dr. Barbara Nikolajczyk's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how inflammation affects aging and overall health. They study the drug everolimus, which targets specific pathways involved in inflammation, to see if it can improve health as we age. The lab's research combines clinical trials and laboratory techniques to explore how reducing inflammation can enhance the quality of life in older adults.

Dr. Xiaoqi Liu's lab focuses on understanding and treating castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The research aims to identify new ways to combat the resistance that some prostate cancers develop against current therapies. By exploring various signaling pathways and potential biomarkers, the lab seeks to improve treatment options for patients who no longer respond to standard androgen signaling inhibitors.

Dr. Robert Helsley's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how problems with fat digestion in the liver can lead to serious health issues like metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Their research aims to explore the role of a specific enzyme involved in fat oxidation, which could help identify new ways to treat liver diseases. The lab uses advanced techniques in mouse models, cell cultures, and state-of-the-art genetic analysis to uncover the mechanisms behind liver fat accumulation and its effects on health.

Dr. Rodney Kiplin Guy's lab focuses on improving the effectiveness of new antimalarial drugs called ATP4 inhibitors. The research aims to understand how these drugs work in combination with others and how to reduce the risk of malaria parasites developing resistance. By studying both laboratory and animal models, the lab seeks to find the best combinations of drugs that can treat malaria effectively while minimizing the chance that parasites will become resistant to treatment.

Dr. Christopher Mark Norris' lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding the role of reactive astrocytes in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. By utilizing advanced mouse models and innovative cell-specific targeting techniques, they investigate how different aspects of astrocyte function contribute to brain pathology in dementia. The lab aims to bridge preclinical findings with human data to improve therapeutic strategies for these diseases.

Dr. Chang-Guo Zhan's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on developing new treatments for opioid use disorder, particularly in cases where patients are also using stimulants like methamphetamine. The team is investigating a novel protein that modifies ghrelin—an important peptide in the brain’s reward system—to help reduce the rewarding effects of drugs, potentially leading to more effective therapies for addiction. Their research aims to provide safer options for those struggling with substance use disorders.

Dr. Douglas Oyler's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on improving pain management strategies for adolescents and young adults after dental procedures. The lab aims to reduce opioid prescriptions through innovative educational interventions and by providing effective non-opioid alternatives. This work is crucial for lowering the risk of opioid misuse and fostering safer pain management practices within dental care.

Dr. Christine Fillmore Brainson's lab focuses on understanding and treating pulmonary fibrosis, a serious lung disease characterized by the buildup of scar tissue that impairs breathing. The lab is exploring how epigenetic therapies, particularly involving the EZH2 enzyme, can help revert or prevent this fibrosis. Their research combines cell culture techniques with animal models to innovate possible treatments that target cellular behavior and gene expression in the lungs.

Dr. Anika M.S. Hartz leads research focused on understanding the blood-brain barrier's role in Alzheimer's disease. Her lab investigates how the proteins amyloid and tau disrupt this barrier, contributing to cognitive decline. Additionally, the lab explores the impact of environmental chemicals like bisphenols on Alzheimer’s, aiming to uncover new treatment strategies to protect brain health and slow the disease's progression.

Dr. Fang Zheng's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on developing new treatments for poisoning caused by the highly toxic pesticide aldicarb. The lab is working to create a bioscavenger enzyme that can effectively detoxify aldicarb faster than it can poison the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the body. Their research aims to provide better medical countermeasures against potential threats from cholinergic agents used in chemical warfare.

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. Hsin-Sheng Yang's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind lung cancer, particularly how certain proteins interact to control tumor growth. The research investigates the role of a tumor suppressor protein called Pdcd4 and its interaction with Rictor, which is involved in cancer cell growth. By exploring these interactions, the lab aims to develop new therapeutic strategies targeting lung cancer, especially forms with elevated levels of Rictor.