Dr. Elizabeth Grace Atkinson's lab at Baylor College of Medicine focuses on improving methods for genetic analysis of individuals with mixed ancestral backgrounds. The goal is to develop innovative statistical techniques and software to aid in gene discovery and clinical applications, making genetic research more inclusive and accurate for diverse populations. Their work will create open-access tools that can be utilized in both research and clinical settings, improving the understanding of genetics across admixed populations.

Dr. Hugo J. Bellen's lab focuses on using genomic medicine to help underserved populations, particularly those unable to afford DNA testing for rare diseases. The research team combines expertise from various fields to identify and study new disease genes, utilizing advanced techniques like whole-exome sequencing and model organisms like fruit flies. The ultimate goal is to improve diagnostics and care for individuals with rare genetic disorders while also contributing to broader genomic knowledge.

The lab led by Richard A. Gibbs at Baylor College of Medicine focuses on understanding genetic variations that contribute to various rare diseases. Through advanced genomic sequencing techniques and a large-scale network of collaborations, the lab enrolls families with difficult-to-diagnose conditions and aims to uncover the genetic causes behind these issues. By utilizing cutting-edge technology and rigorous data analysis, the lab works not only on individual cases but also on population-scale genomic studies to enhance diagnosis and treatment strategies.

Dr. Ergun Sahin's lab at Baylor College of Medicine investigates how gut health impacts various diseases. They focus on the roles of telomere shortening and gut microbes in conditions like neurodevelopmental disorders and intestinal diseases. By understanding these relationships, the lab aims to find new ways to improve health through diet and gut microbiota.

Dr. Jason D. Heaney's lab at Baylor College of Medicine focuses on producing and studying genetically modified mice to understand gene function and its implications for human disease. By creating mouse models with specific gene knockouts, the team conducts comprehensive phenotyping to gather data on gene roles in various biological processes. This research contributes to a global repository of information beneficial for the broader scientific community.

Dr. Joseph M. Hyser's lab at Baylor College of Medicine studies how viruses, particularly rotavirus, manipulate calcium signaling pathways in host cells to enhance their replication and spread. The lab focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind rotavirus-induced calcium signals, exploring both the viral strategies that exploit these pathways and the host's physiological responses. This research could pave the way for new antiviral therapies by identifying key cellular interactions involved in virus-host dynamics.

Dr. Daoyun Ji's lab at Baylor College of Medicine focuses on understanding how the brain enables observational learning, which is the process of learning by watching others. By studying the neural circuits involved, particularly the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms behind how we learn to navigate spaces and obtain rewards. This research has implications for understanding social learning and may provide insights into mental disorders where this type of learning is impaired.

Dr. Yi Li's lab focuses on understanding breast cancer risk factors related to childbirth and lactation, as well as developing new rat models to study estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. They investigate how delaying pregnancy might affect women’s cancer risk, especially with regard to lactation's role in tumor development. Additionally, the lab works on characterizing new animal models to better mimic human breast cancer biology and treatment response.

David M Lonard's research lab focuses on understanding how sex hormones, particularly androgens and progesterone, influence reproductive biology at the molecular level. Using advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy, the lab investigates how hormone receptors interact with coregulators and DNA to regulate gene expression. Their work aims to reveal the structural mechanisms behind male and female reproductive processes, potentially addressing issues like infertility and reproductive disorders.

Dr. Diana Monsivais's lab focuses on developing new treatments for endometriosis, a painful condition affecting many women. Their innovative approach seeks to find non-hormonal therapies that can effectively target the disease mechanisms without impacting hormone levels. The lab combines expertise from various fields, including biochemistry and immunology, to create new medications that can help manage this condition more effectively.

Susan L. Hamilton's lab at Baylor College of Medicine focuses on understanding how mutations in muscle proteins affect muscle function and increase susceptibility to conditions like malignant hyperthermia and heat stroke. The lab investigates the role of calcium leak from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, how this impacts muscle metabolism and endurance, and explores genetic and environmental factors that contribute to muscle disorders. Their research aims to identify new therapeutic strategies to improve muscle function in individuals with these genetic conditions.

Dr. Daisuke Nakada's lab focuses on studying hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are essential for producing all blood cell types in the body. The research explores how HSCs react to stress, particularly in conditions like anemia, and seeks to uncover mechanisms that can enhance blood regeneration. By using advanced techniques such as lineage tracing and gene expression analysis, the lab aims to improve understanding of HSC behavior, which could lead to innovative treatments for anemia and other blood disorders.

Francois St-Pierre's lab at Baylor College of Medicine focuses on developing advanced tools to study brain activity through voltage indicators. Their main goal is to create genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) that can effectively monitor voltage changes in neurons during various brain functions. These new tools will help scientists better understand how neurons communicate and how these processes can be affected by neurological disorders.

Dr. James P. Orengo's lab at Baylor College of Medicine investigates the mechanisms underlying Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1 (SCA1), a neurodegenerative disease that leads to severe motor dysfunction and premature death. The lab focuses on the role of motor neurons, which control muscle activities, in the progression of SCA1, seeking to distinguish their degeneration from that of cerebellar neurons. By using specialized mouse models, the team aims to uncover crucial molecular changes and identify potential therapeutic targets that could improve the quality of life for patients suffering from this debilitating condition.

Dr. Yangjin Bae's lab at Baylor College of Medicine focuses on understanding and treating Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), a brittle bone disorder caused by genetic mutations affecting collagen. The lab researches how targeting a signaling protein called TGF can improve bone health in OI patients, especially those who do not respond well to existing therapies. Their work aims to develop new and effective treatments that can enhance bone density and healing for people with varying severities of OI.

Dr. Dongsu Park's lab at Baylor College of Medicine studies a genetic bone disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), which affects how bones grow and heal. They focus on understanding how changes in a specific type of stem cell, responsible for bone regeneration, are influenced by defects in collagen. The goal is to uncover new insights that could improve treatments for patients with OI, leading to better healing and bone strength.

Dr. Robia Pautler's lab at Baylor College of Medicine focuses on understanding Alzheimer's disease (AD) by using advanced imaging techniques and proteomic analysis. They study the changes in brain connectivity in mouse models of AD, investigating how different protein expressions relate to the symptoms of the disease. Through this work, they aim to discover potential treatments and improve our knowledge of how AD affects the brain.

Christine Beeton's lab focuses on developing innovative treatments for autoimmune diseases using engineered probiotics. The lab is working on a probiotic that delivers a specific peptide to modulate the immune response, particularly in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. This project aims to create a non-invasive treatment option that improves patient compliance and effectiveness of therapy.

Dr. Nagireddy Putluri's research lab at Baylor College of Medicine focuses on understanding bladder cancer, a disease with significant variation in patient outcomes. The lab investigates how genetic alterations, particularly related to a gene called EPHX2, influence tumor behavior and response to treatments. By analyzing molecular and metabolic changes in tumors, they aim to develop new therapeutic strategies that combine targeting cancer metabolism with immunotherapy to improve patient care.

Dr. Jacob Reimer's lab at Baylor College of Medicine investigates how the brain's neuromodulators, specifically acetylcholine and norepinephrine, influence sensory processing and attention. By experimenting with mice, the lab explores how these chemicals affect brain activity over space and time, which could enhance our understanding of cognitive functions and diseases such as Alzheimer’s and ADHD. The research seeks to clarify how neuromodulators contribute to the variability in responses to stimuli, potentially revealing new insights into attention mechanisms and treatment strategies.