Dr. Eric T Wang's lab focuses on improving gene therapies by leveraging alternative splicing, which is a way our genes can create different proteins. The lab works on making gene therapies safer and more effective by designing gene expressions that are specific to certain tissues in the body, reducing toxicity. With innovative approaches involving AAV (adeno-associated virus), the research aims to develop self-regulating gene therapies that can adapt to their environment, particularly for diseases affecting muscles and the nervous system.

Dr. Matthew S. Gentry's lab at the University of Florida focuses on how brain metabolism and glycogen storage are linked to neurological diseases, particularly Lafora disease and Alzheimer's disease. They study how abnormal aggregates of glycogen, known as polyglucosan bodies, contribute to disease progression and seek to develop potential therapies to address these conditions. The research aims to understand the cellular mechanisms behind these diseases and to explore therapeutic options to restore healthy brain function.

Dr. Michelle Gumz's lab studies how our body's internal clock influences blood pressure and kidney function. They focus on a key protein called PER1, which helps regulate these functions. By understanding how disruptions in this clock can lead to conditions like salt-sensitive hypertension and kidney disease, the lab aims to find new treatments to help patients with cardiovascular issues.

Dr. Liang Zhou's research lab focuses on understanding how specific immune cells in the gut, particularly RORgt+ lymphocytes, maintain tissue health and respond to infections. The lab investigates the roles of mitochondrial function and iron metabolism in the upkeep and activity of these immune cells, which could lead to new treatments for diseases like inflammatory bowel disease and infections. By exploring the intricate relationships between these cells and their environment, the research aims to uncover mechanisms that are crucial for gut health and immunity.

Dr. Md Mahmudul Hasan's lab focuses on addressing opioid use disorder (OUD) through innovative technology. They are developing a machine learning-based tool to predict relapse in patients undergoing treatment. By analyzing electronic health records, the lab aims to create a support system for primary care providers, helping to identify patients at risk for relapse and improve their treatment outcomes. The research combines advanced algorithms with practical clinical applications to enhance patient care in the face of the opioid crisis.

Dr. Ryoma Hattori's lab at the University of Florida studies how the brain processes visual information to understand numbers, a cognitive ability vital for many species including humans. The research focuses on neural circuits in the brain that help convert sensory inputs into numerical coding, investigating the mechanisms that might lead to problems like dyscalculia. Using advanced techniques like virtual reality tasks and calcium imaging, the lab examines how these processes occur and how they can be used to develop treatments for number-related disorders.

Dr. Andrew Maurer's research lab focuses on understanding the hippocampal-prefrontal cortical circuit, which is essential for cognitive function and is impaired in many psychiatric disorders. The lab aims to develop new ways to measure how this circuit operates, using both behavioral tasks in rodents and advanced neurophysiological techniques. By advancing these methodologies, the lab hopes to enhance the therapeutic development pipeline for mental health treatments, ultimately leading to better interventions for disorders like anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism.

Dr. Susana Valente's research lab at the University of Florida focuses on developing innovative therapies to combat HIV. The lab is particularly interested in transcriptional inhibitors, which can potentially silence the virus without ongoing therapy, aiming for a functional cure. By exploring various compounds and their effects on HIV transcription, the lab seeks to reduce inflammation and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV.

Dr. Gregory Hudalla's lab focuses on developing new therapies to reduce inflammation in the body. The research aims to create synthetic assemblies of proteins that can effectively target and treat chronic inflammatory conditions without the side effects associated with traditional drugs. By engineering these protein assemblies, the lab hopes to improve how the immune system regulates inflammation, potentially aiding millions of people suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases.

Dr. Steven Michael Smith's research lab at the University of Florida focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind hypertension, particularly resistant hypertension that does not respond to traditional treatments. The lab is investigating the role of gut microbiota and inflammation in blood pressure regulation, as well as how new technologies such as telehealth can improve hypertension management. They aim to discover novel ways to improve blood pressure control in patients through a combined approach of clinical trials and health technology analysis.

Dr. Kyle D. Allen's lab at the University of Florida focuses on understanding and treating knee osteoarthritis (OA) and chronic joint pain, particularly in the knee and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). They are developing innovative approaches to deliver a special enzyme directly into the joints to reduce inflammation and improve joint health. The lab combines techniques from engineering and biology to study how nerves interact with joint tissues and how these interactions can affect pain and disability.

Dr. Weizhou Zhang's lab at the University of Florida researches innovative cancer therapies that focus on developing new drugs that can dismantle cancer cells while also harnessing the body's immune system. They specifically use a technology called Proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) to target and degrade specific proteins involved in cancer, particularly in melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and breast cancer metastasis. The lab's work aims to improve cancer treatment outcomes by addressing both tumor cells and the immune environment.

Dr. Megan Stanifer's lab at the University of Florida focuses on understanding how human intestinal cells respond to rotavirus infections. The team studies different types of interferons, proteins that help the body fight viruses, and how these proteins can be activated by various cellular pathways. Their research aims to improve strategies for combating rotavirus infections, especially in areas where vaccines are less effective.

The research lab led by Professor Eakta Jain focuses on improving autism diagnosis and treatment through innovative technology. By developing artificial intelligence methods to anonymize audiovisual data, they aim to share valuable resources while protecting the identity of children with autism spectrum disorders. This interdisciplinary approach brings together engineering and healthcare to create practical solutions that enhance accessibility and efficiency in behavioral assessments.

Dr. Chengguo Xing's lab explores the use of kava, a traditional beverage known for its relaxing properties, to help smokers quit by alleviating stress and insomnia associated with tobacco abstinence. They conduct clinical trials to investigate how kava affects biological markers related to smoking and stress, ultimately aiming to develop a new dietary supplement that could aid in tobacco cessation. By improving the success rate of quit attempts, their research holds promise for public health by addressing one of the leading causes of preventable disease.

Dr. Habibeh Khoshbouei leads a research lab at the University of Florida focused on understanding the relationship between vagus nerve stimulation and dopamine regulation in the brain. Their work aims to address the challenges of methamphetamine addiction by exploring how stimulating the vagus nerve can influence dopamine levels and reduce the drug's effects. The lab employs various advanced techniques to study how these physiological responses can potentially lead to new treatment options for addiction.

Dr. Zheng Wang's lab at the University of Florida focuses on understanding the relationship between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the early onset of dementia in autistic adults. The research investigates how neurocognitive functions, brain imaging, and plasma biomarkers can reveal signs of dementia in middle-aged autistic individuals. By studying these factors, the lab aims to contribute to better diagnosis and treatment strategies for dementia in this vulnerable population.

Dr. Orlando Laitano's lab at the University of Florida focuses on understanding and treating muscle weakness and dysfunction caused by sepsis, a severe infection that can lead to significant muscle loss and impairment. The research aims to identify the role of specific enzymes in this process and test new strategies to promote muscle recovery in affected patients. By exploring how sepsis affects muscle cells, the lab hopes to develop better therapeutic approaches to enhance recovery in critically ill patients.

Dr. Jatinder K. Lamba's lab at the University of Florida focuses on understanding pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a serious and often overlooked childhood cancer. The lab studies the molecular factors that influence prognosis and treatment outcomes in pediatric AML by examining the genomes, proteomes, and metabolomes of leukemic cells. Their research aims to improve risk assessment and establish better therapeutic strategies by integrating various biological data from clinical trials.

Dr. Christiaan Leeuwenburgh's lab at the University of Florida focuses on understanding how iron regulation and mitochondrial function affect the physical capabilities of older adults. Through research, they aim to figure out why some older adults experience a decline in their ability to move and function compared to others. By measuring various biological factors over time, the lab hopes to find ways to support healthier aging and improve quality of life for older individuals.