Boyuan Wang's research lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center explores how bacteria communicate and respond to stress through a molecule called (p)ppGpp. This molecule helps bacteria survive antibiotics by halting their growth. The lab focuses on understanding the role of enzymes that degrade (p)ppGpp and how metal stress from the human body affects these enzymes. The ultimate goal is to discover new treatment methods to combat persistent bacterial infections.

Dr. David R. Corey’s lab focuses on understanding how nucleic acids interact with cells to regulate gene expression. The research aims to develop nucleic acid-based therapies for diseases, exploring mechanisms of RNA-mediated recognition, particularly in the cell nucleus. The lab's work has the potential to lead to innovative treatments for genetic disorders by manipulating gene expression at the molecular level.

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.

The lab led by Dr. James J. Collins at UT Southwestern focuses on developing new therapeutic strategies to combat schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasitic worms affecting millions worldwide. The team aims to discover and validate drug targets that can lead to the development of next-generation antischistosome therapies, addressing the urgent need for effective treatments due to rising drug resistance. By leveraging advanced techniques like RNA interference, they are identifying essential genes in schistosomes to pave the way for innovative drug discovery efforts.

Dr. Xuewu Zhang's lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center focuses on studying the STING protein, which is crucial for the body's defense against viruses and cancer. The lab works to uncover how STING is regulated and aims to develop new drugs that activate STING to enhance immune responses. This research could lead to innovative treatments for cancer and viral infections.