Dr. June L Gruber's lab focuses on understanding how positive emotion dysregulation affects the onset and progression of bipolar disorder (BD) in emerging adults. The research aims to identify behavioral and neural markers that can help predict who might develop BD and how they will respond to treatment. The lab uses a combination of experimental psychology and neuroimaging techniques to explore these questions over a two-year period with various participant groups.

Dr. Xuedong Liu's research lab focuses on developing innovative delivery systems called gectosomes for transporting macromolecules like proteins and RNA into specific cells. These gectosomes are designed to overcome the limitations of current delivery methods, making it safer and more efficient for applications in gene editing and therapeutic research. The lab aims to enhance the targeting precision, safety, and scalability of these delivery systems in order to advance functional genomics and epigenetic studies.

Dr. Karolin Luger's research focuses on understanding how the protein PARP1 interacts with DNA and chromatin in cells, especially in the context of cancer treatment. By studying PARP1's structure and function, her lab aims to develop more effective drugs that can enhance cancer therapy, particularly for tumors with DNA repair deficiencies. Their work could lead to innovations in how these drugs are applied and how they work at the molecular level.

Dr. Jingshi Shen's lab at the University of Colorado studies how cells regulate the movement of proteins within their membranes, which is essential for proper metabolic function. They specifically focus on how vesicle fusion—a process where small membrane-bound packages merge with larger membranes—affects glucose transport and insulin response in human cells. Research in this lab aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms of metabolic disorders like insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, which could ultimately lead to new treatment strategies.

Dr. Ding Xue's lab focuses on understanding how certain biological processes, like the removal of paternal mitochondria in embryos and the effects of radiation on cells, impact development and health. They investigate the mechanisms behind these processes to uncover how defects can lead to diseases, including mitochondrial disorders. The research aims to identify new targets for treatments that could improve outcomes for patients experiencing these issues.

Dr. Wounjhang Park's lab at the University of Colorado focuses on developing advanced magnetic nanotransducers that offer a non-invasive method for stimulating neural activity deep within brain tissues. This innovative approach seeks to overcome the limitations of current stimulation techniques, making it possible to target specific brain areas or cell types without the need for invasive procedures. The lab's work has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of neurological conditions like Parkinson's and epilepsy by enabling stronger, more precise stimulation.

Dr. Alexandra Whiteley's lab at the University of Colorado focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind a severe neurodegenerative disease called ALS-FTD. They study proteins involved in neuronal dysfunction, particularly how the UBQLN2 protein affects another protein named PEG10, which may play a critical role in the disease's progression. The research aims to reveal new potential targets for therapies to treat this condition.

Dr. Christopher D. Link's lab at the University of Colorado focuses on understanding the role of double-stranded RNA in the cell death associated with Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and Frontotemporal Dementia. The lab investigates how this RNA accumulates in neurons and glial cells, leading to neuroinflammation and neuronal dysfunction. The goal is to uncover new therapeutic targets to combat these currently untreatable diseases.

Dr. Amanda Stevenson’s lab focuses on understanding the social and economic impacts of reduced access to contraception. Their research examines how changes in contraceptive availability affect women's fertility and economic opportunities throughout their lives. By analyzing data from a major policy change in Texas, the lab aims to inform policy debates on reproductive health and its implications for women's socioeconomic status.

Dr. Soo H. Rhee's lab at the University of Colorado focuses on understanding how parental substance use, particularly marijuana, affects their children's behavior during adolescence. They employ innovative research designs, including twin studies, to tease apart genetic and environmental influences on substance use and associated disorders. By studying families in Colorado and Minnesota, the lab aims to identify effective prevention strategies and inform public policy regarding marijuana use.

Dr. Robert Batey's lab at the University of Colorado focuses on understanding riboswitches, which are important regulatory elements that help bacteria control gene expression. The lab is exploring how these RNA structures interact with small molecules and transcription factors, which are proteins that regulate the activity of genes. The ultimate goal is to develop novel tools for RNA visualization in living cells and to enhance our understanding of gene regulation at the molecular level.

Ryan Kelly Masters' research lab focuses on understanding the trends and factors influencing early-life mortality in the United States from 1990 to 2024. The lab conducts detailed analyses of how various causes of death have affected survival rates among different demographic groups, comparing these trends with those in other high-income countries. By examining these mortality patterns, the lab aims to uncover insights into health inequalities and improve public health outcomes for young Americans.

Dr. Douglas R. Seals' lab focuses on understanding how lifestyle interventions, like heat therapy and inspiratory muscle strength training, can improve cardiovascular health, particularly in mid-life and older adults. They investigate how these methods can lower high blood pressure and enhance blood vessel function, helping to mitigate risks for heart disease and other age-related issues. The research aims to explore both the effectiveness of these interventions and the underlying biological mechanisms involved.

Dr. Dylan Taatjes' lab at the University of Colorado focuses on understanding how RNA polymerase II, an essential enzyme that helps transcribe DNA into RNA, is regulated during the process of gene expression. The lab combines biochemical experiments and advanced cellular assays to investigate the mechanisms that control RNA polymerase II activity, which is critical for normal cell function and can lead to diseases like cancer and neurological disorders when disrupted.

Dr. Rytis Prekeris's lab focuses on understanding how cells maintain their structure and function, particularly in kidney cells. They study the primary cilium, a tiny organelle that helps cells sense their environment and is essential for proper kidney function. The lab investigates specific proteins that play a role in the formation of cilia and how disruptions in this process can lead to kidney diseases. Through their research, they aim to uncover the fundamental biology of cell organization and its implications for health.

David Root's lab studies how different types of brain neurons release dopamine and glutamate, which are important for learning from rewards and punishments. By exploring how these neurons interact during motivated behaviors, the lab aims to understand better the molecular differences that can affect mental health and behaviors related to addiction and aversion. This research could provide insights into the mechanisms behind various psychiatric disorders.

Corey P Neu's lab at the University of Colorado focuses on creating advanced microphysiological systems that replicate human joints to study arthritis and test new treatments. By developing a novel joint-on-chip platform, the research aims to better understand joint diseases and facilitate faster screening of potential drug candidates. The lab combines engineering techniques with biological materials to build realistic tissue models that emulate the complex interactions and functionalities of human joints.

Dr. David L. Bentley's lab at the University of Colorado Denver focuses on understanding how genes get turned into messenger RNA (mRNA), the vital molecules that carry genetic information. They study the processes involved in mRNA production, including how the mRNA is created and then modified before it functions in the body. By examining these critical steps, the lab aims to find out what goes wrong in diseases like cancer when these processes are disrupted.

Dr. Leslie Anne Leinwand's lab focuses on understanding how muscle cells adapt and change in response to various stimuli such as exercise and genetic mutations. They study myosin, a key protein in muscle function, to explore how it is replaced and repaired over time, particularly in relation to heart and skeletal muscles. The lab uses advanced imaging techniques to measure protein turnover and investigate how these processes are influenced by factors like biological sex and disease-causing mutations.

Dr. Maciej Walczak's lab at the University of Colorado focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and developing new antifungal treatments. Researchers in the lab study how proteins like tau are modified by sugars (glycosylation) and how these changes can affect brain health and disease progression. The lab also explores effective strategies to combat fungal infections that are difficult to treat, specifically looking for novel antifungal agents against valley fever.