Dr. Rui Yi's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how hair follicle stem cells function and age. The lab investigates the mechanical properties and the genetic regulation of these stem cells, exploring how they respond to their surrounding environment. By using advanced imaging and genetic tools, the research aims to uncover new insights into hair growth and potential treatments for age-related hair loss.

Dr. Alan Hauser's lab at Northwestern University focuses on studying the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a significant cause of infections in hospitals. The lab uses advanced techniques like genetic analysis to uncover why some strains of this bacterium are more virulent than others. Their research aims to identify new genes that contribute to the severity of infections, which could lead to better treatment options for patients.

Dr. Congcong He's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how specific cellular processes influence cocaine addiction. The team investigates the role of autophagy, a recycling mechanism in cells, particularly how a protein called Becn2 interacts with dopamine receptors related to cocaine reward and relapse. By exploring these molecular pathways, the lab aims to identify potential new treatments for cocaine abuse and other drug addictions.

Dr. Mohammed Elbaz's lab at Northwestern University is focused on revolutionizing the diagnosis and management of pulmonary hypertension (PH), particularly its severe form known as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). By developing a groundbreaking non-invasive tool called the '4D Right-Heart Virtual Catheter', the lab aims to dramatically improve how healthcare providers can assess the hemodynamics of the right heart using advanced MRI scans. This innovative approach not only seeks to expedite the diagnostic process but also hopes to enhance treatment outcomes for patients suffering from this life-threatening condition.

Dr. Carson J. Ingo's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how changes in white matter in the brain affect cognitive function after a stroke, particularly in older adults and underserved populations. The lab uses advanced imaging techniques to examine the relationships between brain structure and cognitive outcomes, aiming to identify new ways to improve recovery and treatment strategies for stroke-related cognitive impairments.

Dr. Robert G Kalb's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind frontotemporal dementia (FTD), particularly those associated with the C9orf72 gene mutation. The research utilizes model organisms like C. elegans and mammalian neurons to explore how specific toxic proteins generated from the mutated gene cause neurodegeneration. The lab aims to identify protective pathways and potential drug targets to help treat this challenging and prevalent neurodegenerative disease.

Dr. Jennifer Kearney's lab focuses on understanding a specific genetic cause of severe developmental disorders and epilepsy. They study the KCNB1 gene, which is linked to a range of neurological issues, including developmental delays and challenging-to-treat seizures in children. By analyzing the effects of various mutations in this gene, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms behind these conditions and to pave the way for better treatments.

Dr. John A. Kessler's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding the role of specific proteins in brain health, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia. His research examines how aging affects brain function and explores potential gene therapies to improve cognitive outcomes by targeting certain molecular pathways. The lab seeks to develop treatments that could ultimately help in preventing or slowing the progression of these debilitating conditions.

Dr. Evangelos Kiskinis's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding the biological mechanisms behind Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). The lab utilizes advanced techniques like stem cell models and genetic analysis to explore how mutations in specific genes affect motor neuron function and health. This research aims to improve models for studying these neurodegenerative diseases and identify potential treatments.

Dr. Kristen Knutson's lab focuses on understanding the connection between sleep and Alzheimer's disease by studying how specific proteins in the blood are influenced by sleep patterns. The research aims to identify biomarkers that can predict cognitive performance and dementia risk, providing insights that could lead to better prevention strategies. Ultimately, their work seeks to connect sleep health with brain function, especially in older adults.

Dr. Robert J Lewandowski's lab focuses on improving treatment options for patients with liver cancer, specifically unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The lab is investigating a new technique called Yttrium-90 radiation lobectomy (90Y-RL) that could help shrink tumors while promoting healthy liver regrowth. Their research aims to optimize the dosage and technique of this treatment to better support patients who are not candidates for surgery due to liver conditions.

Dr. Dong-Hyun Kim's lab focuses on developing innovative treatments for liver cancer using a combination of immunotherapy and radioembolization techniques. The lab is dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of immune checkpoint blockades by targeting them specifically to tumor sites, potentially improving patient outcomes. Their research aims to make therapies safer and more effective, with the ultimate goal of treating patients who would otherwise have limited options.

Dr. Marek-Marsel Mesulam's lab focuses on understanding Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a type of dementia that primarily affects language abilities while preserving memory. The lab studies the distinct patterns of brain degeneration in PPA, particularly in the left hemisphere, and aims to link these patterns to the underlying diseases such as Alzheimer's and frontotemporal degeneration. By examining biological samples from patients, the lab is exploring how to personalize treatment options based on individual differences in brain structure and function.

Professor Joseph R. Mazzulli's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how the accumulation of a-synuclein, a protein involved in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, affects cellular functions. The lab investigates how a-synuclein aggregates disrupt lysosomal function and protein trafficking, aiming to find new treatments that restore these cellular processes. By using advanced cellular models and small molecules, the research aims to decipher the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and enhance lysosomal biogenesis to alleviate disease symptoms.

Dr. Kathleen Janee Green's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how skin cells, specifically melanocytes and keratinocytes, communicate and how this communication impacts the development of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. They explore how certain molecules, like desmoglein 1, change in response to environmental factors like UV radiation and how these changes contribute to cancer progression. This research has important implications in identifying early markers for melanoma and strategies for prevention.

Dr. Huiping Liu's lab focuses on understanding cancer metastasis and developing new therapies, particularly for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and COVID-19. The lab investigates how tumor cells interact with the immune system and how these interactions can be targeted to block the spread of cancer. Additionally, the lab explores the potential of exosomes as diagnostic and therapeutic tools against COVID-19, aiming to improve outcomes for infected patients.

Dr. Sui Huang's lab focuses on understanding and developing treatments for cancer metastasis, which is the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. They are working on identifying unique cellular structures associated with metastatic cancer to use as markers for drug testing. One promising drug, metarrestin, has shown effectiveness in preventing metastasis in laboratory settings and is now being tested in clinical trials for pancreatic cancer. The lab aims to create more effective treatments that target these specific cancer traits without harming normal cells.

Dr. Vladimir I. Gelfand's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding how microtubules and the molecular motors that walk along them shape cell structure and function. By studying these mechanisms in different biological models like Drosophila oocytes and mammalian cells, the lab aims to discover how cells become polarized and how they transport vital components. These insights could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and developmental defects in humans.

Dr. Chad Mirkin's lab focuses on using innovative nanotechnology to develop new vaccines for melanoma, a challenging form of skin cancer. They explore spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) that can deliver targeted immune responses to combat tumor cells. This research aims to improve treatment outcomes for melanoma patients and advance the field of cancer immunotherapy.

Dr. Brian Joseph Mitchell's lab at Northwestern University focuses on understanding primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a genetic disorder that impacts respiratory health and other bodily functions. The research uses a unique model of ciliated cells from Xenopus embryos to explore how cilia develop and function. By identifying and characterizing new genes involved in PCD, the lab aims to improve diagnostic methods and enhance our understanding of this complicated condition.