David Mankoff's lab focuses on understanding how certain aggressive cancers, particularly triple-negative breast cancer, utilize glutamine metabolism and glutamate transport to survive and resist treatment. They are developing advanced imaging techniques using positron emission tomography (PET) to measure these metabolic processes and to identify patients who may benefit from specific therapies targeting these pathways. By linking imaging data to treatment response, the lab aims to improve personalized cancer therapies and outcomes for patients.

Dr. M. Celeste Simon's lab focuses on understanding clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), a common type of kidney cancer characterized by significant metabolic changes. The lab studies how these metabolic alterations impact tumor behavior and explores new therapeutic strategies to improve treatment outcomes for patients with not only ccRCC but also other related cancers. By utilizing advanced models, they aim to uncover universal metabolic pathways that could be targeted for personalized cancer therapy.

Dr. Donita C. Brady's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on understanding cancer biology through a novel approach that combines chemistry and biology. The lab is developing a platform called Probe Enabled Activity Reporting (PEAR) to analyze dynamic changes in the tumor proteome, with the aim of improving targeted therapies and precision oncology. By studying cancer at the proteome level, the lab aims to enhance our understanding of how tumors adapt to therapies and identify new treatment strategies.

Dr. Saba Ghassemi's research focuses on improving CAR T cell therapies for cancer treatment. The lab is investigating ways to enhance the effectiveness of non-activated CAR T cells by targeting signaling pathways that affect their durability and function. By modulating specific pathways, the lab aims to develop strategies that reduce cancer immune evasion and improve the overall clinical outcomes for patients receiving these therapies.

Dr. Carl H. June's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on developing advanced immunotherapies for blood cancers, particularly through the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies. Their innovative research aims to extend these therapies beyond current limits by combining CAR T cells with genetic editing techniques. The lab works on a range of hematologic malignancies, including multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia, aiming to transform the treatment landscape for these challenging diseases.

Dr. Witschey's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on understanding and improving treatments for heart problems, especially those caused by blockages in blood flow. They care deeply about identifying ways to detect and analyze damage that occurs after blood flow is restored to the heart, which can paradoxically cause additional harm. Through advanced imaging techniques, the lab aims to study ‘reactive oxygen species’ that help track the heart's recovery process after a heart attack, ultimately enhancing clinical outcomes for patients.

Dr. Kenneth Zaret's lab focuses on the complex mechanisms that control how cells change their identity, particularly in liver development and regeneration. By studying proteins that regulate gene expression and the structures of chromosomes, the lab aims to uncover how cells can be reprogrammed for therapeutic purposes. Their research could lead to innovative strategies for treating diseases linked to cell fate, such as cancers and genetic disorders.

Dr. Ben E. Black's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on understanding how chromosomes are inherited accurately during cell division. They study the centromeres, which are crucial for the proper segregation of chromosomes, to develop artificial chromosomes with potential medical applications. The lab combines structural biology and innovative genome technologies to tackle significant challenges in genome engineering and improve our understanding of genetics.

Dr. Flavia Rocha Teles' lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on understanding periodontitis, a serious gum disease that can result in tooth loss. Through innovative use of existing clinical data and samples, the lab aims to uncover the microbial changes that indicate disease progression versus stability, with a goal of improving prevention and treatment strategies for periodontitis patients. By integrating microbiology, immunology, and computational biology, her team seeks to provide new insights into how microorganisms affect gum health and overall wellbeing.

Dr. Surbhi Grover's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on improving cancer care in low- and middle-income countries, with a specific emphasis on addressing delays in treatment for cervical cancer in Botswana. The research seeks to identify practical strategies that enable timely treatment after diagnosis by analyzing barriers and enhancing communication and care coordination. Through innovative study designs, the lab aims to create sustainable solutions that improve health outcomes for women facing cervical cancer, especially in contexts with high HIV prevalence.

Dr. Aimin Chen's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on the impact of environmental toxicants, such as pesticides and heavy metals, on the cognitive health of both children and adults. The research aims to understand how exposure to these substances during critical developmental periods may lead to diseases like Alzheimer's and impact children's behavior and brain development. By analyzing extensive longitudinal studies and employing advanced statistical methods, the lab seeks to uncover the biological mechanisms behind these effects and address disparities in health outcomes related to race and social factors.

Dr. Timothy C. Zhu's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on improving cancer treatment through advanced imaging techniques. The lab is developing Cherenkov imaging, which uses light emitted from tissue during radiation therapy to create real-time maps of the radiation dose delivered to patients' skin. This innovative approach aims to enhance the precision of total skin electron therapy (TSET) for patients suffering from conditions like mycosis fungoides, ensuring that they receive the correct dose and improving treatment outcomes.

The lab led by Jun Zhu at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on understanding how the bacterium Vibrio cholerae interacts with the gut microbiome and human mucins during infection. The research explores how variances in gut microbiota influence V. cholerae colonization and the disease outcomes in individuals. It aims to uncover the mechanisms through which bacterial enzymes interact with mucus layers to modulate infections, which may lead to novel treatments for cholera.

Dr. Alice S Chen-Plotkin's research focuses on understanding the differences in cognitive outcomes among patients with Lewy body diseases, which include Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. By studying the role of a protein called alpha-synuclein and its interactions with other disease markers, her lab aims to identify why some patients experience significant cognitive decline while others do not. The ultimate goal is to uncover new therapeutic targets to help manage or prevent these debilitating diseases.

Dr. Modupe Coker's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on how oral bacteria influences human health, particularly in children and adolescents affected by HIV. They are investigating how oral HPV infections develop in youth born to mothers with HIV compared to those born to uninfected mothers. The lab aims to identify the relationship between oral microbiomes and the persistence of HPV infections, paving the way for future preventive measures and treatments.

Dr. Katheryn Alexandra Quilico Cousins leads a research lab focused on understanding frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), a group of neurodegenerative diseases. Her team works to identify biofluid biomarkers that can help classify different subtypes of FTLD and determine the progression of the disease. By analyzing biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma, the lab aims to improve diagnosis and prognosis for patients suffering from this complex condition.

Dr. Sandhitsu Das's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on understanding the relationship between tau pathology and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease through advanced imaging techniques. The lab investigates how variations in tau levels can affect brain structure and cognitive function, aiming to identify different patient phenotypes that may influence disease progression. This research could improve clinical management and drug development for Alzheimer's disease by providing insights into individual vulnerabilities and resiliencies.

Dr. Yanxiang Deng's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on studying the human hippocampus and its role in aging and Alzheimer's Disease. The lab is developing innovative technologies to analyze the complex cellular environments in brain tissue, aiming to uncover how different cell types contribute to memory impairment and disease progression. By combining multiple molecular profiling techniques, the lab hopes to identify potential new strategies for treatment and deepen our understanding of brain health.

Roberto Dominguez's lab focuses on understanding the actin cytoskeleton, which is crucial for various cellular processes such as movement, shape, and organization. The research investigates how specific proteins help regulate the dynamics of actin filaments, which has implications for cell motility and disease progression, particularly in cancer. The lab also aims to develop innovative tools that can precisely manipulate these proteins in order to enhance research and therapeutic interventions.

Dr. Shelley L. Berger's lab at the University of Pennsylvania focuses on understanding the link between epigenetics and metabolism in cancer. The lab studies how changes in these pathways can affect gene expression and contribute to cancer development. They aim to develop new therapeutic strategies by investigating the role of specific enzymes and regulatory elements in these processes.