Dr. Rodney Kiplin Guy's lab focuses on improving the effectiveness of new antimalarial drugs called ATP4 inhibitors. The research aims to understand how these drugs work in combination with others and how to reduce the risk of malaria parasites developing resistance. By studying both laboratory and animal models, the lab seeks to find the best combinations of drugs that can treat malaria effectively while minimizing the chance that parasites will become resistant to treatment.

Dr. John McCarthy's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how skeletal muscle cells maintain themselves throughout an organism's life. They study the turnover of myonuclei, which are the nuclei of muscle cells, to see how damage is repaired or replaced. The team's research is not only significant for aging muscles but could also impact therapies for muscular diseases.

Dr. Ann C. Morris's lab at the University of Kentucky specializes in studying the CHD7 gene, which is critical for proper eye development. By investigating how CHD7 influences retinal cell differentiation, the lab aims to understand the genetic basis of ocular defects like coloboma and the broader implications for congenital disorders such as CHARGE syndrome. Their research combines genetic models, advanced imaging, and transcriptomic analyses.

Dr. Christopher Mark Norris' lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding the role of reactive astrocytes in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. By utilizing advanced mouse models and innovative cell-specific targeting techniques, they investigate how different aspects of astrocyte function contribute to brain pathology in dementia. The lab aims to bridge preclinical findings with human data to improve therapeutic strategies for these diseases.

Dr. Chang-Guo Zhan's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on developing new treatments for opioid use disorder, particularly in cases where patients are also using stimulants like methamphetamine. The team is investigating a novel protein that modifies ghrelin—an important peptide in the brain’s reward system—to help reduce the rewarding effects of drugs, potentially leading to more effective therapies for addiction. Their research aims to provide safer options for those struggling with substance use disorders.

Dr. Douglas Oyler's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on improving pain management strategies for adolescents and young adults after dental procedures. The lab aims to reduce opioid prescriptions through innovative educational interventions and by providing effective non-opioid alternatives. This work is crucial for lowering the risk of opioid misuse and fostering safer pain management practices within dental care.

Dr. Christine Fillmore Brainson's lab focuses on understanding and treating pulmonary fibrosis, a serious lung disease characterized by the buildup of scar tissue that impairs breathing. The lab is exploring how epigenetic therapies, particularly involving the EZH2 enzyme, can help revert or prevent this fibrosis. Their research combines cell culture techniques with animal models to innovate possible treatments that target cellular behavior and gene expression in the lungs.

Dr. Yuan Wen's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how RNA modifications affect muscle function as we age. By using advanced sequencing technology and artificial intelligence, the lab investigates how changes in RNA influence protein production in different muscle fibers. Their work aims to uncover new strategies to mitigate age-related muscle loss and improve overall muscle health in older adults.

Dr. Selenica's lab focuses on understanding the role of a specific protein modification in brain diseases like Alzheimers and related dementias. They investigate how this modification affects a protein called TDP-43, which is linked to cognitive decline. The research aims to uncover how changes in TDP-43 contribute to neurological disorders, providing insights that could lead to new therapeutic approaches.

Dr. Stefan Stamm's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how specific modifications in RNA, particularly circular RNAs (circRNAs), contribute to Alzheimer's disease. The lab studies how these modifications might lead to the production of proteins that influence the disease process, particularly in relation to tau protein aggregation, a key feature of Alzheimer's pathology. By exploring the mechanisms behind these RNA modifications, the lab hopes to unveil new aspects of Alzheimer's disease that could lead to novel therapeutic strategies.

Dr. William Walton Stoops leads a research lab at the University of Kentucky focused on understanding and treating cocaine and methamphetamine use disorders. His studies explore how the immune system and brain chemistry interact in addiction, specifically targeting disruptions in the glutamate system. By evaluating existing medications and their effects on drug-seeking behaviors, the lab aims to find better treatment options for individuals struggling with these substance use disorders.

Dr. Anika M.S. Hartz leads research focused on understanding the blood-brain barrier's role in Alzheimer's disease. Her lab investigates how the proteins amyloid and tau disrupt this barrier, contributing to cognitive decline. Additionally, the lab explores the impact of environmental chemicals like bisphenols on Alzheimer’s, aiming to uncover new treatment strategies to protect brain health and slow the disease's progression.

Dr. Kenneth A. Fields leads a research lab focused on understanding how the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis manipulates host cell biology to promote its own survival and pathogenesis. His team studies the proteins that Chlamydia secretes to alter the host cell's actin cytoskeleton and vesicular transport, which are crucial for infection. By exploring these molecular interactions, the lab aims to uncover new insights into Chlamydia-related diseases and their effects on human health.

Dr. Brian P. Delisle's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how circadian rhythms influence heart function and arrhythmias. They study the molecular mechanisms that control the timing of essential genes and proteins in the heart and how changes in daily eating patterns can affect heart health. The findings aim to develop strategies to reduce the risk of heart-related issues in vulnerable populations by aligning their biological clocks with their eating habits.

Dr. Fang Zheng's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on developing new treatments for poisoning caused by the highly toxic pesticide aldicarb. The lab is working to create a bioscavenger enzyme that can effectively detoxify aldicarb faster than it can poison the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the body. Their research aims to provide better medical countermeasures against potential threats from cholinergic agents used in chemical warfare.

The D'Orazio lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause serious brain infections, invades the enteric nervous system. They explore how the bacteria's specific characteristics help it to cross from the gut to the brain, especially in otherwise healthy individuals. Research findings could lead to new insights into foodborne illnesses and their impact on health.

Dr. John C. Gensel's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how age affects the recovery from spinal cord injuries through the study of macrophage metabolism. Their research investigates how the activation of immune cells called macrophages is influenced by age and metabolism, which can impact recovery outcomes after injury. By exploring ways to enhance reparative functions in these cells, the lab aims to improve treatments for spinal cord injuries, particularly in older individuals who often face unique challenges during recovery.

Dr. Ashley Winn Seifert's lab at the University of Kentucky investigates how certain immune cells, called tissue resident macrophages, influence the body's ability to regenerate damaged tissues. By studying spiny mice, which can regenerate their musculoskeletal tissues, the lab aims to understand the differences between regenerative healing and scarring seen in other mice. The goal is to uncover cellular and molecular mechanisms that can be applied to improve healing processes in humans.

Dr. Jennifer Simkin's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how macrophages, a type of immune cell, can promote regeneration in bone and soft tissue following injuries, such as amputations. By studying different types of macrophages in a mouse model, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms that allow these cells to aid healing and potentially develop new therapies for humans.

Dr. Zhenheng Guo's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding and finding new treatments for a common complication of heart surgery known as restenosis, which is the re-narrowing of arteries after they have been opened. They investigate the role of a protein called BMAL1 in smooth muscle cells and how it contributes to abnormal tissue growth in arteries after injury. The lab uses animal models to explore these mechanisms with the goal of developing innovative therapies to improve heart surgery outcomes.