Vanessa Ruta's lab at Rockefeller University studies how evolutionary differences in neural circuits can influence animal behavior, specifically focusing on Drosophila species. By utilizing advanced techniques like CRISPR genome editing, the lab aims to map the changes in nerve pathways that correspond to behavioral variations across species. Their research offers insights into the molecular and genetic foundations that explain how these circuits evolve, which could have important implications for understanding brain disorders and mental health.

Dr. Seth A. Darst's lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of transcription in both viral and bacterial systems. Their current research targets the SARS-CoV-2 virus, investigating how its replication and transcription process works at a structural level to enable the development of new antiviral treatments. Additionally, the lab studies bacterial RNA polymerase to uncover how gene expression is regulated and how new antibiotics can be designed, especially in response to rising antibiotic resistance.