Dr. G Greg Wang's lab at Duke University focuses on understanding the complex mechanisms driving aggressive forms of leukemia. The lab is particularly interested in how specific proteins, like EZH2 and NUP98, contribute to cancer development and how these proteins can be targeted for better treatment strategies. Current research explores innovative techniques like PROTACs to degrade oncogenic proteins and investigates the role of phase separation in chromatin organization and gene activation that leads to leukemia.

Dr. Hui-Kuan Lin's lab at Duke University focuses on understanding cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and prostate cancer. The research aims to identify cancer stem cells and their roles in cancer progression and treatment resistance. By developing novel therapeutic strategies that target these unique cell populations, the lab aims to improve treatment outcomes for patients with advanced-stage cancers.

Dr. Mari Shinohara's lab at Duke University focuses on understanding how alveolar macrophages, a type of immune cell in the lungs, respond to fungal infections. They investigate how these macrophages can have both protective and harmful responses during infections, and aim to uncover the molecular mechanisms that lead to their diverse behavior. This research is essential for developing better treatments for patients suffering from pulmonary fungal infections.

Dr. Aleksandra Tata's lab at Duke University studies how the cells in the lungs repair themselves and how aging affects this process. By focusing on a protein called Tau, which is important for cell structure and function, the lab aims to understand the mechanisms behind lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis and COPD. This research could lead to new treatments that help restore lung health in aging populations.

Dr. Purushothama Rao Tata's lab at Duke University studies how cells in the lungs communicate and repair themselves after injury, focusing on understanding lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis. The research explores how balance in cellular responses and specific molecular signals can influence the healing process in lung tissue. By uncovering these mechanisms, the lab aims to identify potential new treatments to enhance lung repair and improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Anita A Disney's lab at Duke University focuses on understanding how brain changes related to aging and Alzheimer's disease manifest in a model that closely resembles human physiology—the rhesus macaque monkey. By examining the metabolome and proteome of macaque brains, particularly around menopause, the lab aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms of Alzheimer's pathology and identify potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and intervention.

Dr. Everardo Macias's lab at Duke University focuses on understanding and combating neuroendocrine prostate cancer, a severe form of prostate cancer that often emerges in patients who have become resistant to standard treatments. His research aims to explore a specific target, a protein known as TTK, which is crucial in cell division and is overexpressed in this type of cancer. Through a combination of lab studies and animal models, the team investigates how targeting TTK can slow cancer growth and improve treatment outcomes for patients.

Dr. Kathryn D Meyer's lab focuses on understanding how certain modifications to RNA affect the functioning of immune cells in the brain, particularly in the context of Alzheimer's disease. The research aims to unravel how microglia, the brain's immune cells, respond to inflammation and contribute to neurodegeneration. By studying a specific RNA modification known as m6A, the lab seeks to uncover new potential biomarkers and treatment targets for Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Christopher V. Nicchitta's research lab at Duke University focuses on understanding how messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are localized and regulated for translation on the endoplasmic reticulum. The lab investigates the role of RNA-binding proteins and the signal recognition particle pathway in mRNA transport processes. Their work aims to uncover how these mechanisms contribute to protein synthesis in different cellular contexts, with implications for developmental biology and diseases.

Dr. Gregory E. Crawford leads a research lab at Duke University focused on the complex interactions of multiple genes in health and diseases. Their work aims to develop innovative technologies that allow researchers to manipulate the expression of many genes simultaneously, moving beyond the traditional single-gene approach in gene therapy and disease modeling. The lab strives to enhance our understanding of how multigenic factors contribute to various conditions, ultimately paving the way for more effective treatments.

Dr. Warren Grill's lab at Duke University focuses on developing advanced electrical methods to block nerve conduction, especially targeting small nerve fibers involved in pain and autonomic dysfunction. The research aims to optimize electrical waveforms and electrode designs to improve the precision and efficiency of nerve block techniques for clinical applications. This work has potential implications for treating conditions like diabetes, heart failure, and chronic pain management.

Dr. Cameron McIntyre's lab at Duke University focuses on understanding how brain stimulation therapies work by analyzing data and creating computational models. The lab explores the electrical signals recorded from the brain and the effects of stimulating certain areas, aiming to enhance neuromodulation therapies for clinical applications. They use advanced technologies like holographic visualization to support surgical planning for patients receiving deep brain stimulation.

Dr. Hiroaki Matsunami's lab at Duke University focuses on understanding how olfactory receptors (ORs) work, particularly in recognizing different smells. They aim to enhance the expression of these receptors to study their structure and interactions with odorants, which can have implications in various physiological processes. The research utilizes a blend of experimental techniques and computational modeling to explore how ORs function and interact with small molecules, potentially leading to new discoveries in the field of olfaction.

Dr. Nuo Li's lab at Duke University focuses on understanding how brain circuits control rhythmic movements related to the mouth and face, such as swallowing and breathing. By studying these circuits, the lab aims to uncover the reasons behind dangerous problems like choking, which can occur in children and the elderly. Through advanced techniques like electrophysiology, the lab investigates the neural pathways involved in these critical behaviors to pave the way for potential therapeutic interventions.

Thomas Petes' research lab at Duke University focuses on understanding the genetic factors that contribute to genome stability, particularly in relation to cancer. Using the yeast model *Saccharomyces cerevisiae*, the lab investigates how mutations and genetic changes lead to genomic instability, which is a hallmark of tumor cells. Research aims include studying mutations related to DNA replication stress, exploring centromere recombination events, and mapping mutations induced by specific proteins to understand their roles in cancer development.

Dr. Bruce R. Donald's lab at Duke University focuses on using advanced computational methods and experimental techniques to study and design proteins. The lab aims to uncover the three-dimensional structures of proteins, which are crucial for understanding diseases and designing new drugs. By developing novel algorithms and conducting in vitro and in vivo experiments, the research seeks to tackle challenges in drug resistance and create innovative therapeutics to target previously undruggable proteins.

Dr. Yong Chen's lab at Duke University focuses on understanding and alleviating the pain associated with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a painful joint condition that affects many individuals. They are developing improved animal models to explore the mechanisms of psoriatic arthritis pain, particularly examining the role of certain lipids in inflammation and pain pathways. The aim is to identify new therapeutic targets that could lead to better pain management for PsA patients.

Dr. Chang-Lung Lee's lab at Duke University focuses on understanding how radiation therapy affects tissues, particularly in the context of head and neck cancer. One of their main projects aims to reduce the harmful side effects of radiation on oral tissue, specifically oral mucositis, by exploring the protective role of the p53 protein. The lab also investigates potential biomarkers for heart disease that could emerge following radiation exposure, which is crucial for identifying at-risk individuals after nuclear incidents.

The lab of Dr. Nirmala Ramanujam at Duke University focuses on developing innovative imaging technologies to study cellular metabolism and its relation to cancer therapy. Their flagship project is the CapCell Scope, which allows researchers to non-invasively observe metabolic changes and vascular characteristics in tissues. This research aims to enhance our understanding of how tumors respond to treatments, potentially leading to personalized cancer therapies.

Dr. Amanda E. Randles' research lab at Duke University focuses on creating advanced models of the cardiovascular system that can predict how individual patients will respond to various treatments over extended periods of time. By integrating machine learning with physics-based simulations, the lab aims to utilize real-time data from wearable sensors to enhance personalized medicine for cardiovascular diseases. Their innovative approach seeks to improve monitoring and treatment planning for patients, moving beyond short-term simulations to provide long-term, individualized hemodynamic insights.