Dr. Vanessa H. Routh's lab studies the effects of low blood sugar in people with diabetes, particularly how the brain senses these dangerous drops. They use innovative animal models to examine the roles of certain neurons in this process and the potential of the drug modafinil to restore awareness of hypoglycemia. This research is crucial for developing better treatments for diabetic patients who suffer from dangerous hypoglycemia without realizing it.

Dr. Michal Schnaider Beeri's lab at Rutgers focuses on understanding the complex roles of glycoproteins in Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. By studying the modifications on brain proteins, their work aims to identify new biomarkers and potential treatments that can help preserve cognitive and motor function in aging individuals. The lab utilizes advanced techniques and large datasets to explore how an active lifestyle may influence brain health through these glycoproteins.

Dr. Max Tischfield's lab at Rutgers University studies how the brain clears out harmful waste and proteins that accumulate due to aging and diseases like Alzheimer's. They focus on understanding the glymphatic system, which uses cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to flush out toxins. By exploring a specific ion channel called Piezo1, the lab aims to uncover new therapeutic strategies to improve brain health and cognitive function, especially in older adults.

Dr. Pingping Hou's lab focuses on innovating cancer therapies specifically for pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of cancer. The lab is developing a unique treatment method that combines genetically modified macrophages with targeted cancer treatments to improve outcomes for patients. This research aims to enhance the effectiveness of these therapies while minimizing potential side effects.

Dr. Rafiq Huda's lab at Rutgers University is focused on understanding how the brain's arousal mechanisms interact with alcohol consumption behaviors. By studying the anterior cingulate cortex and its role in these interactions, the lab aims to uncover the neurobiological underpinnings of alcohol use disorders. Through advanced techniques like two-photon imaging and optogenetics, research conducted here seeks to develop new therapeutic strategies for treating alcohol abuse.

Dr. Megerditch Kiledjian's lab focuses on understanding how the unique structures at the ends of messenger RNA (mRNA) affect gene expression and RNA stability. By studying both well-known and newly discovered RNA caps, the lab seeks to uncover their roles in cellular metabolism and how they might relate to diseases. This research could lead to new ways of controlling gene expression for therapeutic purposes.

Dr. Anita Y. Kinney's lab focuses on improving cancer care and prevention through innovative approaches, particularly for underserved populations. They work on enhancing shared decision-making processes in lung cancer screening to ensure patients receive adequate support in understanding their options. Additionally, the lab addresses disparities in genetic testing for cancer survivors, especially among racial minorities, by developing tailored interventions that promote access and education.

Dr. Gleb Shumyatsky's lab at Rutgers focuses on understanding how maternal behaviors are influenced by specific brain circuits, particularly during the transition to motherhood. The research explores how changes in the brain affect the way mothers respond to stress and threats, which is crucial for the well-being of both mothers and their children. Through cutting-edge techniques, they aim to uncover the genetic and synaptic mechanisms that link brain circuitry to maternal care behaviors.

Dr. Emily Barrett's lab focuses on understanding how early environmental factors impact the development of the microbiome and health in children. By studying diverse communities in New Jersey, they investigate how experiences like cesarean sections and antibiotic use might contribute to health issues such as asthma. This research aims to close knowledge gaps regarding disparities in health outcomes based on microbiome disturbances in early life.

Dr. Tamara Minko's lab at Rutgers focuses on creating personalized medical treatments for women with ovarian cancer using advanced nanotechnology. By studying the individual genetic profiles of tumors, the lab aims to design tailored drug delivery systems that improve chemotherapy effectiveness and reduce the chances of resistance. Their work is crucial because it represents a significant advancement in treating gynecologic cancers, making therapies more personal and potentially more effective for patients.

Dr. Chintan Dave's lab focuses on understanding how multiple health conditions, known as multimorbidity, affect medication outcomes in older adults. The lab conducts research that aims to identify the best ways to prescribe medications safely and effectively, especially for elderly patients with complex health issues like chronic kidney disease. By analyzing large datasets, the lab seeks to create evidence-based guidelines that can ultimately improve treatment decisions for this vulnerable population.

Brian Daniels' lab at Rutgers focuses on understanding how the immune system interacts with the nervous system, particularly during viral infections like West Nile and Zika viruses. The research aims to discover how a specific protein, RIPK3, can protect neurons from damage caused by these viruses. By exploring the mechanisms of immune signaling within neurons, the lab seeks to identify potential new treatments for viral infections that affect the brain.

Dr. Michelle T. Bover Manderski's lab focuses on understanding the adoption and usage patterns of nicotine pouches among adults in the U.S. Through a combination of surveys and interviews, the research aims to gather essential data on who uses these products, how they affect public health, and their potential role in harm reduction compared to traditional tobacco products. This work is vital for evaluating the impact of nicotine pouches on smoking cessation efforts and overall nicotine dependence.

Dr. Lauren M. Aleksunes' lab focuses on understanding how drugs and nutrients are transported across the placenta, which is vital for fetal development. The lab employs innovative research techniques, including computational modeling and microphysiological systems, to study transporter proteins that can affect maternal and perinatal health. By developing training opportunities for early-career scientists and clinicians, the lab aims to enhance knowledge in pharmacology, maternal-fetal medicine, and public health.

Dr. Evan Kleiman's lab at Rutgers focuses on understanding suicide risk in preteen children aged 8 to 12, a group with rising rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts. Their research aims to develop better assessment tools that are appropriate for the developmental stage of preteens, and to identify different patterns of risk factors that can inform interventions. Ultimately, the lab seeks to improve the safety and well-being of at-risk youth, particularly those transitioning out of psychiatric care.

Dr. Stephen K. Burley's lab at Rutgers University focuses on managing and enhancing the Protein Data Bank (PDB), which stores important information about the 3D structures of proteins and nucleic acids. Their work ensures that scientists around the world have free access to this crucial data, helping them understand biological processes and diseases. The lab is committed to improving data quality and making new structure determination methods available to the research community.

Dr. Qian Cai's lab at Rutgers University focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind tauopathies, particularly in Alzheimer's disease. They investigate how communication between cellular organelles, like mitochondria and autophagosomes, impacts the buildup of toxic tau protein and neuronal health. This research aims to identify potential therapeutic targets for treating Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. Monica J. Roth's lab focuses on understanding how retroviruses interact with host cell receptors, which is crucial for developing new antiviral drugs. By utilizing advanced computational modeling and protein structure prediction techniques, the lab aims to identify novel viral proteins and their binding partners in host cells. This research has significant implications for tackling viral diseases and cancer by exploring new strategies for drug design and therapeutic interventions.

Dr. Junichi Sadoshima's lab at Rutgers focuses on understanding the cellular processes that contribute to heart aging and failure. The research emphasizes how aging affects heart cells, particularly through mechanisms like cellular senescence and oxidative stress, leading to heart disease. By studying the roles of autophagy and cysteine oxidation in cardiac cells, the lab aims to uncover potential strategies to improve heart health and longevity.

Dr. Zhiyuan Shen's lab focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which BRCA proteins help maintain DNA integrity and influence cancer therapy. The team investigates how deficiencies in DNA repair processes contribute to cancer and how we might exploit these defects for treatment. Their research aims to improve outcomes for patients with BRCA-related cancers, such as breast cancer and medulloblastoma.