Dr. Zeba B. Wunderlich's lab at Boston University studies how certain regulatory elements in DNA, called shadow enhancers, help ensure consistent gene expression during development. By exploring how these enhancers function and evolve, the lab hopes to uncover insights into developmental disorders such as autism and diabetes that arise from genetic and environmental factors. This research aims to connect the organization of these enhancers to their role in robust developmental processes.

Dr. Anthony Joseph Rosellini's lab at Boston University focuses on understanding social anxiety disorder and improving treatment outcomes through neuroimaging techniques. The research aims to identify neural markers that can predict how well patients respond to therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication. By collecting and analyzing data from brain scans and behavioral assessments, the lab seeks to provide insights that could lead to more personalized treatment strategies for individuals suffering from social anxiety.

Dr. David Boas' lab focuses on understanding how stroke affects brain recovery, specifically how changes in blood flow and blood vessels influence healing. They use advanced imaging techniques to study these processes in animal models of stroke. Ultimately, their research aims to improve treatment and recovery strategies for stroke patients by linking vascular changes to brain function recovery.

Dr. Richard Jarrett Rushmore's lab at Boston University focuses on mapping an important part of the brain called the superficial white matter (SWM) in primates, specifically rhesus monkeys. This research aims to understand how the SWM connects different brain areas, which is crucial for studying neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease and autism. By using advanced imaging and histological techniques, the lab will create detailed maps of these connections, benefiting both animal and human health research.

Dr. Jonathan D. Cherry's lab at Boston University Medical Campus focuses on understanding the effects of repetitive head injuries (RHI) on the brain, particularly concerning a condition known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The lab uses advanced techniques to study how tau protein accumulates in the brain after such injuries and how this influences neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Their research aims to elucidate the mechanisms linking RHI and tau pathology, hoping to lead to better treatments and diagnostic markers for CTE and related diseases.

Dr. Shelley J Russek's lab studies how specific signaling pathways in the brain contribute to epilepsy, particularly temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). By examining excitatory neurons in mouse models, they aim to understand how these pathways affect brain inflammation and neuronal function, which could lead to new treatments for TLE. Their research combines various techniques to explore the interactions between genes, brain cells, and potential therapies.

Dr. Elise F. Morgan's lab at Boston University focuses on understanding how aging affects the healing of bone injuries. The lab investigates how manipulating the mechanical environment around bone cells can enhance the ability of aged cells to regenerate bone effectively. By designing advanced scaffolds that mimic these mechanical cues, the research aims to develop new treatments for improved bone healing in older adults.

Dr. Chunyu Liu's lab at Boston University Medical Campus focuses on understanding how alcohol consumption affects cardiovascular disease through a multi-omic approach. They utilize advanced techniques to analyze DNA, RNA, proteins, and metabolites in relation to alcohol use and its health impacts. By identifying molecular markers associated with alcohol intake, the lab aims to uncover pathways that could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies for cardiovascular disease.

Roberto Paiella's lab focuses on developing innovative imaging technologies to improve blood testing, particularly for patients who cannot undergo traditional blood draws. By creating new miniature microscopes that can visualize blood flow in real time without invasive procedures, the lab aims to revolutionize diagnostics, especially for vulnerable populations. Their work combines advanced optics with engineering to provide high-quality images of blood cells, which can help in diagnosing diseases quickly and accurately.

Dr. Tarik Haydar's lab at Boston University Medical Campus studies the complex processes involved in the development of the neocortex, the brain region responsible for sensory perception and higher cognitive functions. The lab focuses on understanding how neural precursor cells give rise to diverse neuron types and how these neurons integrate into functional circuits. By using advanced techniques like genetic labeling and in vivo studies, the team aims to uncover how the lineage of these precursor cells influences brain circuit formation and contributes to various neurodevelopmental conditions.

Dr. Julia Tcw's lab at Boston University Medical Campus focuses on understanding the cellular mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease, especially as they relate to two critical components: astrocytes and microglia, which are types of brain cells. The lab investigates how genetic factors like the APOE4 variant affect cellular processes that lead to neurodegeneration. By studying human brain cells in the lab, they aim to identify new potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease, particularly by targeting the dysfunctions in brain cell nutrient processing and inflammation.

Dr. Gummuluru's lab focuses on understanding how infections like HIV and substances like opioids lead to increased inflammation in the brain, which can result in cognitive problems for patients. By studying specialized brain immune cells known as microglia, the lab seeks to identify the molecular mechanisms that trigger inflammation when these two factors are present together. This research aims to inform new therapies that can help manage cognitive impairments in individuals with both HIV and opioid use disorders.

Dr. Weiming Xia's lab at Boston University focuses on finding new treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) by analyzing large datasets from veterans' health records. The lab investigates how certain medications, particularly vasodilators, may slow the progression of AD and alleviate cognitive impairments. By combining big data analysis with experiments in mouse models, the lab aims to uncover potential therapies that can be quickly developed for patients.

Dr. Meg Younger's lab at Boston University focuses on understanding how mosquitoes, specifically Aedes aegypti, detect human odors to find their hosts for biting. This research is critical because mosquitoes are vectors for dangerous diseases like dengue and Zika. By examining the neural circuits in the mosquito brain, the lab aims to uncover how these insects interpret various sensory cues, which may lead to novel strategies for controlling mosquito populations and preventing disease transmission.

Dr. Markus Bosmann's lab focuses on understanding how bacterial polyphosphates influence immune responses in the intestines, especially in relation to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). They study how these bacterial metabolites affect immune cell interactions and contribute to the severity of gut inflammation. This research aims to uncover new therapeutic strategies for IBD by examining the gut microbiota's role in immune system regulation.

Dr. Christopher S. Chen's lab at Boston University focuses on engineering tissues that can mimic the natural functions of human organs, specifically the liver. The lab studies how cells communicate and work together to create structures, like blood vessels, that are essential for organ health. By developing innovative techniques for controlling cell interactions, this research aims to advance the ability to grow transplantable tissues and understand how cells respond to mechanical forces, which could lead to better healing methods.

Dr. Helen E. Jenkins' lab focuses on understanding how geographic barriers impact access to tuberculosis (TB) services in urban areas of middle-income countries. The research aims to improve TB diagnosis and treatment by identifying specific access challenges faced by disadvantaged populations. By applying advanced statistical methods and community survey data, the lab seeks to develop targeted interventions to help communities overcome barriers to effective healthcare.

Dr. Archana Venkataraman's lab focuses on using advanced machine learning techniques to improve the understanding and prediction of language recovery in people who have suffered a stroke. By combining various types of neuroimaging data and patient demographics, the lab aims to identify effective therapies for aphasia, a serious condition that affects communication abilities. The long-term goal is to develop tools that can provide personalized predictions about recovery outcomes, helping clinicians offer better guidance to their patients.

Rachel Fearns' lab focuses on understanding how viruses, particularly the human parainfluenza virus, replicate their genomes and produce RNA. They investigate the structural and molecular mechanics underlying viral transcription and replication, especially how these processes are regulated. The goal is to better understand these mechanisms to aid in the development of antiviral therapies.

The research lab of Dr. Wilson Wong at Boston University focuses on innovative engineering approaches in synthetic biology, particularly in the development of advanced cellular diagnostic devices and targeted immunotherapies. The lab employs genetic engineering techniques to create more efficient diagnostic circuits and therapeutic cells, addressing challenges in cancer detection and autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes. Their work aims to enhance the precision and effectiveness of treatments while ensuring safety and specificity in targeting diseased cells.