Dr. Jason K. Kim's lab focuses on understanding how insulin resistance and inflammation in the liver are linked to Alzheimer's disease. They research the roles of immune cells and inflammatory signals on brain health, exploring how these factors influence cognitive decline in aging individuals. Their findings aim to uncover potential new treatments for Alzheimer's and related neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. Rosemarie A. Martin's lab focuses on improving how jails respond to the opioid overdose crisis, especially in rural areas. They are working on strategies to increase the use of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in jails, which are crucial for the health of incarcerated individuals. By implementing innovative educational programs, they aim to enhance the knowledge and skills of jail staff and promote better healthcare practices in these facilities, ultimately reducing overdose rates and improving public health outcomes.

Dr. Cole Haynes' lab focuses on understanding how cells generate and maintain mitochondrial networks, especially as they relate to aging and age-related diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. By studying a specific transcription factor, ATFS-1, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms that control mitochondrial function and biogenesis during development and throughout an organism's life. This research could help develop strategies for improving mitochondrial health in aging populations.

The Jacobson lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School focuses on understanding how specific types of mRNA are degraded when they contain errors, such as premature termination signals. By studying yeast as a model organism, the lab investigates the underlying mechanisms of a quality control process called nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). Their work not only deepens our comprehension of mRNA behavior but also aims to improve therapies for genetic diseases related to these mechanisms.

Dr. James Munro's lab conducts research focused on understanding viral mechanisms, particularly for HIV, influenza, and Ebola viruses. The lab investigates viral proteins that play critical roles in how viruses enter host cells and how they can potentially be targeted for better therapeutics. By exploring the structure and dynamics of viral membrane proteins, the lab aims to develop new strategies to treat or even eradicate viral infections.

Dr. Mary Munson's lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School focuses on understanding how cells transport materials inside them using small vesicles. The research explores the proteins involved in the fusion of these vesicles with cellular membranes, which is crucial for processes like hormone release and neurotransmission. By studying specific proteins, particularly in the model organism yeast, the lab aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms of vesicle transport and its implications for various diseases.

Dr. Guangping Gao's lab focuses on developing targeted gene therapies to treat rare neurological disorders, specifically those affecting oligodendrocytes, which are crucial for healthy brain function. Their research primarily addresses conditions like Canavan disease and other leukodystrophies, employing innovative adeno-associated virus (AAV) strategies to improve the safety and effectiveness of gene therapy in these diseases. By understanding how AAV interacts with oligodendrocytes, the lab aims to enhance gene delivery systems tailored to these specific cell types.

Dr. Raul Padron's research lab focuses on understanding how muscles contract and relax, particularly through studying protein structures in skeletal and cardiac muscles. The lab employs advanced imaging techniques to explore the molecular mechanisms behind muscle relaxation, which is crucial for energy conservation. By investigating specific interactions within muscle proteins, Dr. Padron aims to reveal insights relevant to muscle diseases and the effects of therapeutic drugs.

Dr. Athma A. Pai's lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School focuses on understanding how genes control the production of different RNA molecules from the same gene. They use advanced techniques to measure how quickly RNA is made and processed, which helps to explain the variety of RNA molecules found in different cells. This research is important for uncovering how genetic differences can affect human health and disease.

Dr. Craig L Peterson's lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School focuses on understanding how the structure of chromosomes influences important cellular processes like gene expression, DNA replication, and repair. The lab investigates chromatin remodeling machines that play a critical role in maintaining genome stability and preventing diseases, including cancer. By using various experimental techniques, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms behind chromatin dynamics and their implications for cellular function.

Dr. Arthur M. Mercurio's lab focuses on understanding and overcoming resistance to radiation therapy in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). The lab aims to explore how the interaction between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, neuropilin-2 (NRP2), contributes to radiation resistance. By leveraging patient-derived models and organoids, the team seeks to discover novel therapies that enhance the effectiveness of radiotherapy in treating aggressive forms of breast cancer.

Dr. Jessica Spinelli's lab focuses on understanding how a novel metabolite named rhodoquinone (RQ) affects mitochondrial function in the context of obesity. This research investigates how RQ can potentially enhance lipid accumulation and improve energy metabolism in fat cells, which could lead to new treatments for obesity-related diseases. The lab aims to uncover the mechanisms by which RQ influences biological processes and assess its therapeutic potential for metabolic dysfunctions associated with obesity.

Dr. Andrei Korostelev's lab focuses on understanding ribosomes, the protein-synthesizing machinery in cells, and their regulatory roles in various biological processes. The research aims to uncover how ribosomes respond to cellular stress, influence neurodevelopment, and manage the production of proteins that are crucial for blood vessel growth. By employing advanced biophysical techniques, the lab seeks to elucidate the mechanisms behind these processes and their implications for treating diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and cardiovascular issues.

Dr. Joel D Richter's lab focuses on understanding how RNA controls neural functions that are essential for learning and memory. They study how errors in RNA translation can lead to disorders like Fragile X Syndrome and autism. The lab combines molecular biology techniques with mouse models to explore how specific proteins regulate the translation and splicing of RNA in the brain, influencing cognitive abilities and behavior.

Dr. Christopher Sassetti's lab focuses on understanding how genetic diversity among both humans and the tuberculosis bacterium affects disease outcomes. By using advanced models, including mice that mimic human genetic diversity, the lab studies how different genetic and environmental factors interact to influence tuberculosis infection. The goal is to identify pathways that impact disease progression and improve strategies for diagnosis and vaccination against tuberculosis.

Dr. Celia A. Schiffer's lab focuses on understanding and preventing drug resistance in infectious diseases and cancer. They explore how mutations in drug targets can lead to resistance and how to design better drugs that maintain their effectiveness. Using a combination of experimental and computational methods, including machine learning, the lab strives to create innovative strategies for drug development that can overcome the challenges posed by rapid evolution of pathogens.

Dr. Kensuke Futai's lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School focuses on understanding how serotonin signaling differs between males and females, particularly in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The lab studies the molecular mechanisms involving Neurexins, which are proteins that play a vital role in the formation and regulation of synapses in the brain. Through their research, the lab aims to uncover how these mechanisms contribute to the gender bias observed in ASD diagnoses and could help identify new treatment targets for cognitive and behavioral deficits associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Dr. Phillip Tai's lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School focuses on improving adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapies by studying specific genetic sequences known as inverted terminal repeats (ITRs). They explore how variations in these sequences may impact the effectiveness and safety of gene therapies for genetic diseases. Their research combines advanced sequencing methods and animal models to uncover important insights that could lead to safer and more effective treatments.

Dr. Andreas Bergmann's lab at the University of Massachusetts Medical School researches how programmed cell death, or apoptosis, affects tissue health and regeneration. By studying the fruit fly Drosophila, the lab explores how dying cells can signal nearby cells to grow, potentially leading to new cancer treatments. Their work aims to understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms behind these processes, which can enhance our knowledge of diseases like cancer, where cell death and growth signaling are crucial.

Dr. David Guertin's lab focuses on understanding how brown fat helps regulate energy balance and its potential role in fighting obesity-related diseases. By studying how this type of fat metabolizes nutrients, particularly glucose, the lab aims to identify new treatments to promote healthy weight management. The research combines advanced technologies like mass spectrometry and genetics to unravel the complexities of brown fat biology.