Dr. Patrick Emery's lab studies how circadian rhythms and sleep are regulated at a molecular level using fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). The lab focuses on understanding the genetic and cellular mechanisms that control these biological rhythms, especially how they adapt to changes in the environment. Insights from this research could have significant implications for human health, particularly regarding diseases linked to disrupted sleep patterns.

Dr. Jennifer Tjia's research focuses on the impact of structural racism on family caregivers of patients with serious illnesses. Her lab conducts studies that explore how neighborhood factors and hospital cultures affect access to palliative care for diverse communities. The aim is to identify barriers that prevent equitable healthcare and to develop actionable recommendations that improve caregiver engagement and patient outcomes.

Dr. Merav Socolovsky's lab focuses on understanding the process of red blood cell formation, called erythropoiesis. The lab investigates how specific signaling pathways, specifically those involving EpoR and Stat5, regulate protein synthesis and ribosome production during the critical stages of erythroid cell development. This research aims to uncover the connections between cell cycle duration, cell growth, and the quality of DNA replication, which could have important implications for both developmental biology and diseases like anemia and cancer.

Dr. Sarah Forrester's research focuses on how residential segregation affects health, specifically how it influences the aging process and contributes to chronic diseases among Black Americans. Her lab investigates the connections between the neighborhoods where people live and their physiological health across different life stages. By studying these relationships, the lab aims to provide insights that can help improve health equity and inform public policies.

Dr. Fen-Biao Gao's lab focuses on understanding frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a serious condition that affects behavior and language primarily in younger individuals. They explore the disease using advanced models like fruit flies and neurons derived from stem cells to uncover the genetic and molecular basis of FTD. The ultimate goal is to identify new targets for therapy and to help in the search for effective treatments for this challenging neurodegenerative disorder.

Dr. Toloo Taghian's lab is focused on developing innovative gene therapy approaches for treating UBA5 deficiency, a rare genetic disorder that causes severe neurological issues in children. Using a newly created mouse model that mimics the human disease, the lab aims to understand the underlying mechanisms of UBA5 deficiency and test promising gene therapy strategies to potentially rescue neurological functions. Their research could pave the way for effective treatments for patients suffering from this deadly condition.

Dr. Heather L Gray-Edwards leads research focusing on innovative gene therapies for severe genetic disorders such as Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) and Sialidosis. Her lab utilizes animal models, including mice and sheep, to test adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapies that aim to correct underlying biochemical issues and alleviate associated neurological symptoms. The overarching goal is to develop effective treatments that can prevent the severe complications often seen in these disorders, ultimately paving the way for future clinical applications in human medicine.

Dr. Erik J. Sontheimer's lab focuses on developing cutting-edge genetic editing technologies to treat diseases, specifically frontotemporal dementia caused by granulin mutations. The team uses precision genome editing techniques like base and prime editing to accurately correct genetic mutations in neuronal cells and evaluate their effectiveness in mouse models. This innovative approach aims to create safer and more effective therapies for neurological disorders that currently lack treatment options.

Dr. Thomas Fazzio's lab focuses on understanding the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that drive early mammalian development. They utilize cutting-edge techniques to identify and characterize genetic variants within regulatory elements that influence gene expression. The lab's work aims to clarify how these genetic changes affect cell fate decisions, ultimately contributing to our understanding of developmental disorders and improving regenerative medicine strategies.

Dr. Zhiping Weng's lab focuses on understanding how genetic variants affect health and disease by leveraging advanced computational and statistical methods. The team is involved in large-scale NIH initiatives that aim to coordinate data analysis from diverse populations and create accessible databases. Their work helps improve our understanding of genetic variation, which can lead to better treatment options and preventive measures for various diseases.

Dr. Amir Mitchell's lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School focuses on understanding how certain drugs not typically classified as antibiotics can negatively impact the gut microbiome by causing bacterial cells to become resistant. By studying the mechanisms of bacterial toxicity and resistance using E. coli as a model organism, the lab aims to uncover the pathways affected by these drugs. This research is vital because it sheds light on how commonly prescribed medications may contribute to antibiotic resistance and microbiome dysbiosis, highlighting the importance of balanced drug use for human health.

Dr. Alexandra Byrne's lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School focuses on understanding how gut bacteria influence brain health and could protect against diseases like Alzheimer's. Using a simple worm model, they investigate how specific bacteria and their products can prevent nerve cell degeneration. This research aims to link the microbiome with neuroprotection, potentially leading to new strategies for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

The lab led by Dr. Kenneth L Rock studies how the immune system responds to cell injury and death, focusing particularly on histones - molecules released when cells die. By identifying novel receptors that detect these histones, the lab aims to understand their role in triggering inflammation and how this relates to various diseases such as strokes and infections. Their findings could help develop new treatments to prevent or treat related health issues.

Dr. Jeremy Luban's lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School focuses on understanding how the HUSH complex contributes to HIV-1 latency. The research aims to pinpoint the mechanisms by which the HUSH complex silences HIV-1 proviruses in immune cells, which is a key factor in why current treatments don't lead to a cure. By investigating this complex, the lab hopes to discover new strategies for eradicating the virus from the body, which remains dormant in long-lived memory T cells despite antiretroviral therapy.

Dr. Jiann-Jyh Lai's lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School focuses on understanding how the immune system detects cell injury and initiates inflammatory responses. Their research specifically investigates novel receptors and ligands that are involved in this process, which can impact various diseases. By using both human and mouse models, the lab aims to uncover new mechanisms that could lead to innovative treatments for conditions like stroke, heart attacks, and cancer.

Dr. Joonsoo Kang's lab explores how cholesterol metabolites affect the immune system, particularly in the skin of children. They study a specific type of immune cell called type 3 lymphocytes, which are important for skin health and barrier function. By analyzing how these cells develop and respond to dietary influences, the lab aims to uncover links between nutrition, immune response, and common skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema.

Dr. Anastasia Khvorova's lab at the University of Massachusetts focuses on creating new types of therapy using small pieces of genetic material called oligonucleotides. These therapies target and reduce the expression of harmful genes related to neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's disease and ALS. The lab is working on improving the delivery of these therapies to the central nervous system to make them more effective and longer-lasting.

Dr. Jeffrey B. Driban's lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School focuses on improving the understanding and treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The research aims to develop new imaging techniques that capture the structural changes associated with KOA progression and how these changes relate to patient outcomes. By validating novel biomarkers, the lab strives to enhance clinical trials aimed at finding therapies for this common condition.

Dr. Nathan D Lawson's lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School focuses on understanding the development and function of blood vessels in the body. They study the role that specific cell types, such as pericytes and the gene Rasa1, play in vascular health, particularly during embryonic development. Using zebrafish as a model organism, the lab identifies the genetic and molecular factors that contribute to vascular and lymphatic anomalies, which can lead to serious health conditions.

Dr. Brian C. Lewis's lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School focuses on understanding and potentially treating pancreatic cancer, a leading cause of cancer deaths. The lab studies how specific signaling pathways, particularly the MTOR pathway, contribute to tumor growth and survival. They utilize advanced mouse models and human cancer cell lines to investigate the effects of inhibiting this pathway, aiming to find new therapeutic strategies for effective treatment.