Dr. Nadejda Mincheva Tsankova's lab focuses on understanding and combating glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor known for its aggressive and invasive nature. They investigate the role of specific proteins in tumor migration and aim to develop new therapeutic strategies that could enhance treatment effectiveness for patients. The lab combines advanced techniques in genomics and spatial analysis to identify biomarkers that predict treatment response, which could lead to improved outcomes in glioblastoma patients.

Dr. Jeremiah James Faith's lab focuses on understanding the role of gut microbiota in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. They examine how these microbiota can be stable or transient in IBD patients and how this relates to disease progression and therapy effectiveness, particularly through methods like fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). The research aims not only to illuminate the mechanisms of gut microbiome transmission and stability but also to explore new therapeutic strategies for IBD.

Dr. Ivan E De Araujo's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on understanding how the brain and gut communicate through specific spinal pathways. This research is important for uncovering how these connections affect emotional and cognitive functions, particularly in relation to disorders such as depression, anxiety, and other gastrointestinal issues. By studying the circuitries involved in gut sensations, the lab aims to identify potential new treatments for these conditions.

Dr. Makiko Yasuda's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on understanding how the liver maintains proper levels of heme, an important molecule for various biological processes. Their research explores how liver cells and macrophages work together to manage heme levels, which is crucial for health. This work could lead to better treatments for diseases related to heme imbalances, particularly conditions affecting the liver.

Dr. Lubbertus C. Mulder's lab focuses on understanding how drug use affects HIV latency, particularly in the brain's immune cells called microglia. The team is investigating a group of viruses known as human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) and how they interact with HIV. Their goal is to find new markers for HIV latency and to see how these relationships can be influenced by narcotic use.

Dr. Yizhou Dong's lab focuses on developing new vaccine strategies to combat HIV by combining nanoparticles and engineered mRNA. They aim to create innovative vaccine candidates that can stimulate strong immune responses, potentially offering protection against HIV. By exploring the design of adjuvants and immunogens, the lab works to improve vaccine efficacy and lay the groundwork for future applications in other emerging diseases.

Dr. Kuan-Lin Huang's lab focuses on developing advanced artificial intelligence tools that utilize genomic data to improve cancer risk assessment and prevention strategies. By combining genomic information with diverse health data, the team aims to provide personalized cancer predictions that account for a person's unique genetic makeup and life circumstances. This innovative research not only seeks to enhance cancer screening methods but also addresses the ethical implications of implementing these AI tools in healthcare settings.

Dr. Judy H. Cho's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms behind inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly Crohn's disease. The research explores how specific genetic mutations affect blood cells and tissue response, especially in challenging cases like perianal fistulae. Through advanced techniques like single-cell transcriptomics and multi-omic analysis, the lab aims to identify new therapeutic targets and improve patient outcomes in IBD.

Dr. Christian Forst's lab focuses on understanding how different people respond to influenza infections and vaccinations. They use advanced techniques to analyze immune responses and genetic factors when addressing diseases, particularly in vulnerable populations. By integrating various biological data, the lab aims to uncover mechanisms that may lead to improved treatments and preventative measures against influenza.

Dr. Paul J. Kenny's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on understanding the interactions between HIV infection and opioid use disorder (OUD). The research examines how HIV affects brain function in regions involved in motivation, reward, and addiction, specifically looking at the cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to increased vulnerability to opioids in HIV-infected individuals. By utilizing advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing and CRISPR gene editing, the lab aims to uncover new insights into how these two conditions exacerbate each other and influence behavior.

Dr. Pin-Xian Xu's research focuses on understanding kidney development and the role of specific transcription factors in this process. His lab investigates how Eya1 and its cofactors regulate gene expression during nephron formation, which is crucial for kidney function. The research aims to uncover how these regulatory mechanisms contribute to kidney diseases like Wilms tumor, which is common in children.

Dr. Graham Ellis-Davies' lab focuses on developing innovative optical technologies that allow for precise control over neuronal function, both in laboratory settings and living organisms. By creating advanced photochemical tools, the lab enables researchers to manipulate neurotransmitter activity and neuron signaling processes, unveiling new insights into cellular physiology. The work is grounded in collaboration with physiologists, ensuring that the technologies meet real biological challenges.

Dr. Sander Houten's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on understanding and improving treatments for glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1), a rare genetic disorder that affects the metabolism of lysine. The research team investigates the mechanisms that regulate lysine degradation in the body and explores new therapeutic strategies, including small molecule inhibitors that could lead to better treatment options for patients suffering from this condition. By studying the biochemistry of key enzymes involved in this process, the lab aims to address the unmet medical needs of GA1 patients, where current treatments often fall short.

Dr. Isaac Marin-Valencia's lab focuses on understanding how metabolism affects brain development. They study when and how metabolic pathways change during critical growth periods in the brain. By using advanced techniques, they aim to uncover important switches in metabolism that could influence the risk of neurological disorders. Their work not only deepens our understanding of brain growth but also has implications for public health by addressing conditions linked to metabolic disruptions.

Dr. Xueyan Mei's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on improving the diagnosis and management of multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, using advanced imaging techniques and artificial intelligence. By developing deep learning models, the lab aims to automate the analysis of medical images to better assess disease progression and tailor treatment for patients. The research combines cutting-edge imaging technologies with clinical data to enhance patient outcomes in a field where effective prognostication can greatly influence treatment strategies.

Elena Ezhkova's lab investigates how Merkel cells, which are important for the sense of light touch, change in number and function as we age. They focus on uncovering the processes behind Merkel cell regeneration and their interaction with specific sensory neurons, especially in the context of dry skin and itch sensation. The goal is to understand these mechanisms to help develop treatments that could prevent age-related decline in Merkel cells and related skin sensitivities.

Dr. Maria Giovanna Trivieri's lab focuses on understanding mitral valve prolapse, a common heart condition that can lead to serious problems like arrhythmias and heart failure. They use advanced PET/MRI imaging techniques to investigate how inflammation and fibrosis in the heart relate to the severity and risk of arrhythmic events in patients. The ultimate goal is to develop better diagnostic tools that can help clinicians assess and manage patients with this condition more effectively.

The research lab led by Dr. Marek Mlodzik focuses on understanding how cells achieve and maintain their polarized structures, which are crucial for proper organ development and function. A particular area of interest is the Wnt/Frizzled Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) signaling pathway, which has implications in various diseases, including cancer and developmental disorders. The lab conducts experiments primarily in Drosophila to explore the molecular mechanisms of cellular signaling and polarity establishment.

Dr. Eva Morava-Kozicz leads a research lab focused on understanding how congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) affect brain development and function. By using various model systems, such as zebrafish and human brain organoids, her team investigates the molecular mechanisms that lead to neurological symptoms like seizures and intellectual disabilities in CDG patients. The goal is to uncover how defects in glycosylation pathways impact neural cells and potentially identify new therapeutic targets.

Dr. Towfique Raj's research lab focuses on understanding the role of immune cells, particularly myeloid cells, in Parkinson's Disease (PD). By analyzing genetic variants and their effects on these cells, the lab aims to bridge the gap between genetic associations and the biological mechanisms that lead to PD. Their work involves advanced techniques in transcriptomics and proteomics to uncover how these immune cells function differently in individuals with PD compared to healthy individuals, potentially leading to breakthroughs in treatment.