Dr. Jason R. Franz's lab focuses on understanding how age-related changes in the foot and ankle affect mobility in older adults. Their research aims to uncover the complex interactions between foot mechanics and muscle performance during walking, and how these can be enhanced through innovative shoe designs. Ultimately, the lab seeks to develop practical solutions to improve walking performance and reduce energy costs for the aging population, promoting independence and quality of life.

Dr. Samuel Lai's lab at the University of North Carolina focuses on developing innovative therapies for respiratory infections caused by viruses like parainfluenza and metapneumovirus. The lab is working on engineering antibodies that can trap these viruses in airway mucus, potentially offering new treatment options for children and immunocompromised adults who are vulnerable to severe respiratory illnesses. The research aims to enhance how antibodies work at mucosal surfaces to combat respiratory infections.

Dr. Helen Lazear's lab at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill studies how the immune system protects the skin from viruses like herpes simplex virus and other mosquito-borne pathogens. They specifically investigate how interferon lambda, a type of signaling molecule, helps control viral infections and inflammation in the skin. The lab uses mouse models to explore the mechanisms of immune response and aims to develop better strategies for fighting viral diseases.

Dr. Robert A. Hummer's lab at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill focuses on the long-term health and well-being of Americans as they transition from adolescence to adulthood. The lab conducts comprehensive research using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, following a large group of adolescents over several decades. By examining various social, economic, and biological factors, the lab aims to understand health disparities and the factors that influence health outcomes as individuals enter midlife.

Dr. Louise Henderson's lab focuses on improving the health and monitoring of lung cancer survivors through innovative imaging techniques and data analysis. The research aims to reduce the risks of cancer recurrence and identify better strategies for lung cancer screening, especially for diverse populations. Using advanced deep learning methods and analysis of routine chest CT scans, the lab develops personalized surveillance strategies that tailor follow-up care to individual patient risks.

Dr. William F. Marzluff's lab at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill focuses on understanding the tumor suppressor protein p53, especially its function outside the nucleus. The lab investigates how p53 can regulate important cellular processes like apoptosis and autophagy in the cytoplasm. By studying mutant forms of p53 modeled after bat genetics, the team aims to uncover novel regulatory mechanisms that could influence cancer treatment and aging.

Dr. Mohlke's lab focuses on understanding the genetic underpinnings of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and related metabolic traits. By conducting extensive genetic analysis, they aim to identify the specific genes and variants that contribute to these conditions, particularly their effects at the cellular level in tissues such as the liver and adipose tissue. This research holds great potential for uncovering new therapeutic targets and improving disease prediction and treatment.

Dr. Nathaniel J. Moorman's lab studies how human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) affects the way human cells make proteins. When HCMV infects a cell, it seems to boost the overall protein production, but the lab is uncovering that this process is more complicated than it looks. They explore how specific cellular and viral factors interact to regulate which viral and cellular proteins are produced during infection. This research could lead to new therapies for HCMV by targeting how the virus manipulates cell biology.

Dr. Juan Song's lab at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill focuses on understanding how certain brain regions regulate the creation of new neurons, which is important for memory and emotional processing. By studying cells in the hypothalamus, they aim to enhance the growth of neurons to improve brain function, especially in conditions like Alzheimer's disease. This research has the potential to lead to new therapies for treating cognitive and emotional disorders.

Dr. Juliane Nguyen's research lab focuses on developing innovative therapies using engineered probiotics and extracellular vesicles to improve treatments for chronic diseases like inflammatory bowel disease and ischemic heart disease. The lab aims to create safer, more effective medicine that targets the root causes of these conditions, potentially enhancing patient recovery and quality of life. By integrating advanced technologies in pharmacology and biomedical engineering, Dr. Nguyen's team seeks to bridge the gap between laboratory research and clinical application.

Dr. Brian O Diekman's lab studies the effects of DNA damage and cellular aging on osteoarthritis, a common joint disease. They focus on understanding how these factors lead to cell senescence, inflammation, and joint degeneration to develop better treatments. The lab uses advanced techniques to assess the extent of DNA damage and its effects on joint cells, aiming to spark new strategies to prevent and treat osteoarthritis.

Dr. Lori L O'Brien's lab at UNC Chapel Hill focuses on understanding how nerve and blood vessel interactions influence the development of the kidneys. Their research investigates the roles that nerves play in kidney organogenesis and how disruptions in the neuro-vascular relationships can impact nephron formation. The lab utilizes advanced imaging and genetic techniques to explore these complex relationships, with the goal of improving regenerative strategies for kidney tissue.

Dr. Blossom Damania's lab at the University of North Carolina focuses on understanding how certain viruses, particularly Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and others, can lead to cancer. The research aims to uncover the mechanisms through which these viruses cause diseases like lymphoma and to explore new therapeutic approaches to combat these cancers. By studying the interactions between the virus and human cells, the lab hopes to develop strategies for prevention and treatment of virus-related malignancies.

Dr. Samir Kelada's lab at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill focuses on understanding how genetic differences affect individual responses to environmental air pollutants, specifically ozone. The research aims to uncover the mechanisms underlying respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD, which are exacerbated by ozone exposure. By studying human bronchial epithelial cells and using genetically diverse mouse models, the lab seeks to identify genetic variants and gene regulatory mechanisms that contribute to differences in disease susceptibility.

Dr. Virginie Papadopoulou's lab focuses on developing innovative ultrasound-based therapies to enhance the treatment of chronic wounds, particularly those infected by tough-to-treat bacterial biofilms. By using advanced materials and techniques like phase-change contrast agents and therapeutic ultrasound, they aim to improve antibiotic delivery and effectiveness, reducing infection rates and promoting faster healing. This research has significant implications for public health, especially for individuals with conditions like diabetes that complicate wound healing.

Dr. Jeremy R. Wang's lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill focuses on improving pediatric cancer diagnosis, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). By utilizing cost-effective nanopore sequencing technology, the lab aims to create affordable and robust diagnostic methods that can accurately classify a variety of childhood cancers. The goal is to ensure that all children, regardless of their location, have access to the appropriate and potentially life-saving treatment for their cancer.

Dr. Mark H Schoenfisch's lab focuses on developing innovative therapies to treat periodontal disease, a condition that causes inflammation and damage to the tissues supporting the teeth. The lab is working on creating a new type of treatment using hyaluronic acid that can release nitric oxide, which aims to fight harmful bacteria, reduce inflammation, and promote healing in the gums. Their research combines the fields of chemistry and biology to create effective, localized treatments for better oral and systemic health.

Dr. Benjamin Philpot's lab at the University of North Carolina focuses on developing innovative treatments for retinal degeneration and Angelman syndrome. They are utilizing advanced models, such as mouse models and retinal organoids, to explore gene therapies and small molecule drugs aimed at boosting visual function and reversing neurodevelopmental disorders. The lab's research aims to transform the lives of patients suffering from these challenging conditions.

Dr. Gianmarco Pinton's lab at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill focuses on developing innovative ultrasound technologies for brain imaging and therapy. By using volumetric ultrasound, the lab aims to enable real-time monitoring and targeted neuromodulation of brain circuits in awake animals. This research has the potential to improve the understanding of brain function and lead to advanced treatments for neurological disorders.

Dr. Wolfgang Bergmeier's lab at the University of North Carolina focuses on understanding how certain cellular signaling pathways influence the behavior of platelets, which are crucial for blood clotting. The research seeks to unravel the mechanisms that lead to problems like excessive bleeding or unwanted blood clots in conditions such as cancer and thrombosis. By identifying how platelets function and their role in blood diseases, the lab aims to develop better diagnostics and treatments for these critical health issues.