Dr. Gauri G. Rao's lab at USC focuses on developing new antibiotics to combat serious lung infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria, also known as superbugs. They are specifically working on a promising new drug that combines teixobactin with lipopeptides, which may prove effective against bacteria that resist all existing antibiotics. This research aims to address a critical health crisis by finding innovative treatments for infections that are currently very difficult to treat.

Dr. Lucio Comai's research lab focuses on discovering new small molecule drugs for treating myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), a serious genetic disorder. The lab employs innovative RNA-based screening methods to identify compounds that can effectively target and modulate disease-causing RNA, ultimately aiming to improve the lives of patients suffering from this debilitating condition. By leveraging advanced techniques and a diverse library of potential drugs, the lab is making strides in finding effective therapies where few options currently exist.

Dr. Cheng-Ming Chuong's lab at the University of Southern California focuses on understanding how skin develops and regenerates, particularly emphasizing the different characteristics of skin in various body regions. By studying chickens, which have distinct skin features, the lab aims to uncover the biological mechanisms that could lead to improved skin substitutes for patients with severe injuries. The research combines traditional techniques with advanced genomic technologies to explore how skin's structure and function are determined at both the genetic and epigenetic levels.

Dr. Arthur A. Stone's lab focuses on improving how we measure people's everyday experiences using innovative methods like Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) and Experience Sampling Method (ESM). These techniques help psychologists gather data about emotions, behaviors, and thoughts as they occur in real time, rather than relying on memory-based questionnaires. This research aims to enhance the accuracy and relevance of psychological assessments, providing more insight into human behavior in daily life.

Dr. Huizhong Whit Tao's lab at the University of Southern California focuses on understanding the brain mechanisms underlying behavior in neuropsychiatric conditions, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD). The research aims to uncover how alterations in brain signaling can lead to symptoms like apathy and aggression in mice, modeling aspects of AD. Additionally, the lab investigates the processing of visual information in the brain, particularly how different neural pathways contribute to visually guided behaviors, providing insights into both normal brain function and potential disruptions in disease states.

Dr. Robert Rissman's lab focuses on Alzheimer's disease, particularly in individuals with Down syndrome and diverse ethnic backgrounds. The research aims to develop personalized treatment strategies by using plasma biomarkers to understand the disease's progression and different responses to therapies. By analyzing these biomarkers, the lab hopes to improve early detection and treatment outcomes for Alzheimer's disease, especially within underrepresented populations.

David Raichlen's research lab focuses on understanding how sedentary behavior affects brain health and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. By examining the relationship between how much time people spend sitting and their cognitive functions, the lab aims to uncover important factors that could help in preventing Alzheimer's disease. The lab uses large datasets like the UK Biobank to assess the impact of lifestyle changes on brain health in older adults.

Dr. Danny Jj Wang's lab at the University of Southern California focuses on understanding how small vessel disease affects cognitive function and dementia through innovative imaging techniques. They are working to validate biomarkers that help identify these conditions, with a specific emphasis on diverse populations in Los Angeles. The lab is also exploring how the blood-brain barrier functions and can be assessed non-invasively using MRI technology, which could lead to new diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. David D. McKemy's lab at the University of Southern California focuses on how our body senses cold temperatures and the resulting pain that may occur. The research explores the mechanisms of cold sensitivity and how injury can heighten this sensation, as well as how these processes can be utilized for therapeutic purposes. Ultimately, the lab aims to understand the complex biology behind cold-induced pain to develop better treatments for conditions like chronic pain and allodynia.

Dr. Karen T. Chang's lab at USC investigates the role of a specific kinase, DYRK1A/MNB, in regulating brain cell communication and function. They use fruit flies as a model organism to explore how this kinase impacts synaptic growth, neurotransmitter release, and cognitive disorders. Through their research, they aim to uncover the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and autism by identifying how proteins involved in cellular processes are influenced by DYRK1A.

Dr. Jonathan P Stange's lab at USC focuses on understanding how people regulate their emotions and physiology, particularly in individuals struggling with depression. The research aims to identify different patterns of affect regulation that can lead to targeted interventions. By using advanced methods like heart rate variability biofeedback, the lab seeks to improve everyday emotional regulation success, paving the way for personalized treatment approaches in mental health.

Dr. Ashlesha Datar's research lab focuses on understanding how changes in environment, particularly in public housing settings, can impact obesity rates among disadvantaged communities. By studying the redevelopment of the Jordan Downs public housing in Los Angeles, the lab aims to uncover how improvements in living conditions affect residents' health behaviors and weight. The research is particularly relevant as it addresses the rising obesity epidemic in low-income populations through natural experiments and community partnerships.

Dr. Michael Bonaguidi's lab focuses on understanding how aging affects neural stem cells (NSCs), which are crucial for brain health and memory. They investigate ways to rejuvenate these cells to improve cognitive function, especially in the context of aging and Alzheimer's disease. The lab combines advanced techniques like pharmacogenomics and computational biology to uncover the mechanisms behind NSC aging and neurogenesis, aiming to develop therapeutic strategies for age-related cognitive decline.

Dr. Myron Goodman's lab focuses on understanding how certain bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics, which is a serious health issue worldwide. They study an enzyme called Rum DNA polymerase that causes mutations in bacteria, helping them to quickly become resistant to drugs. By exploring how these mutations occur, the lab aims to find ways to combat antibiotic resistance.

Dr. Bino Abel Varghese's lab at the University of Southern California focuses on improving early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias through advanced data analysis. The lab works on harmonizing large sets of complex multi-modal data to derive accurate biomarkers for these diseases. By integrating various data sources and using cutting-edge machine learning techniques, they aim to understand Alzheimer's pathology better, ultimately leading to more effective treatment strategies.

Dr. Laurent Itti's research lab focuses on developing innovative technologies to assist visually impaired individuals through enhanced visual aids. The team is creating smart eyeglasses equipped with advanced artificial intelligence and machine vision algorithms that provide real-time situational awareness. These glasses will not only respond to user commands but will also proactively assist users in day-to-day tasks, making technology more accessible and improving the quality of life for visually impaired persons.

Zachary Wagner's lab at the University of Southern California focuses on understanding how natural disasters like floods and hurricanes affect child health, particularly in low and middle-income countries. The lab's goal is to estimate both direct and indirect impacts of these disasters on children, including effects on food security and access to clean water. By analyzing data from various regions, the research aims to inform strategies that can help mitigate the health consequences of these devastating events.

Dr. Yingxiao Wang's lab focuses on innovative approaches to cancer treatment and vascular disease. They develop cutting-edge technologies like wireless devices to enhance CAR T cell immunotherapy by activating these immune cells precisely at tumor sites. Additionally, their research integrates single-cell imaging and gene editing techniques to understand how blood flow affects endothelial cell function, aiming to find therapeutic targets for cardiovascular diseases.

Dr. Arieh Warshel's lab focuses on using advanced computer simulations to understand complex biological processes at the molecular level. By studying enzymes and protein functions, they aim to develop better drugs and treatments for diseases like COVID-19. Their research combines theoretical modeling with practical applications, contributing to fields such as drug design and enzyme engineering.

Dr. Neda Jahanshad's lab at the University of Southern California focuses on understanding the brain's white matter circuitry, which is essential for communication between neurons. The lab collaborates with the ENIGMA consortium to perform large-scale studies that link genetic factors to variations in white matter associated with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia and depression. Through sophisticated neuroimaging techniques and data integration tools, the lab aims to advance our knowledge of how brain structure relates to mental health conditions and offers publicly accessible platforms for other researchers.