Dr. David W. Shattuck's research lab at UCLA focuses on developing software tools for analyzing and visualizing neuroimaging data from rodent models. These tools help scientists study brain diseases and disorders by enabling detailed examination of brain imaging data, including MRI and microscopy. By creating open-source software, the lab aims to enhance research capabilities for preclinical studies and understanding neurological conditions better.

Dr. Weizhe Hong's lab at UCLA focuses on understanding the neural circuits that govern social behaviors, particularly allogrooming, which is grooming directed towards another individual. This research is crucial because it aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms that influence social interactions, which can be disrupted in conditions like autism and schizophrenia. By analyzing specific brain areas like the medial preoptic area (MPOA), the lab seeks to understand how these circuits control social behaviors and their relevance to mental health.

Dr. Thomas A. Rando's lab at UCLA focuses on understanding how aging affects stem cells and exploring ways to enhance their function. They investigate the molecular changes that occur in stem cells over time and how these changes contribute to age-related declines in tissue repair and homeostasis. The research aims to develop interventions that can rejuvenate aged stem cells, which may lead to better therapeutic strategies for health issues in the elderly.

Dr. Chongyuan Luo's lab at UCLA focuses on understanding the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that drive cell identity changes, particularly how somatic cells can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The research also aims to map the diverse cell types in developing human brains and their regulatory programs, which could inform our understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders. By using advanced genomic techniques, the lab seeks to uncover the complex networks that govern how cells change identity and function during development and reprogramming processes.

Dr. Tanya Stoyanova's lab at UCLA focuses on discovering new treatments for advanced prostate cancer, particularly forms that are resistant to current therapies. The research aims to better understand the role of a protein called ATAD2, which is overactive in aggressive prostate cancer types, and to test new drugs that inhibit ATAD2 to see if they can help stop cancer growth. This work is essential because advanced prostate cancer has few effective treatment options and significantly affects men's health.

Kate Wassum's lab focuses on understanding how chronic stress influences habits and decision-making processes in the brain. By investigating the pathways in the amygdala and their connections to other areas of the brain, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms behind goal-directed learning and how these mechanisms can be disrupted in various mental health conditions. This research has the potential to inform treatment strategies for substance use disorders and other psychiatric diseases.

Dr. Steven C. Cramer's lab focuses on innovative rehabilitation methods for stroke recovery. They are particularly interested in using telerehabilitation techniques to help patients improve their arm function from the comfort of home. By employing intensive rehabilitation strategies, their research aims to determine how these approaches can enhance recovery outcomes and patient quality of life after stroke.

Dr. Maureen A. Su's lab focuses on understanding how the immune system contributes to autoimmune diseases, particularly those affecting hormone-producing tissues. They explore the role of genetic and epigenetic factors in these conditions, investigating how differences in male and female immune responses can impact disease outcomes. The lab combines expertise from various fields to identify new targets for immunotherapy that can improve patient care in autoimmune endocrinopathies and enhance viral infection responses.

Dr. Marc A. Suchard's lab at UCLA focuses on the development of advanced statistical models and software to study the behavior and spread of rapidly evolving pathogens like viruses. Their research combines data science, evolutionary biology, and infectious disease principles to analyze large datasets from outbreaks, helping to improve public health responses. The lab aims to create scalable tools that can handle extensive epidemiological data, thereby informing better intervention strategies for viral diseases.

Dr. Jennifer A. Sumner's lab focuses on understanding how evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect cardiovascular disease risk and overall health outcomes. They utilize a large database of veterans' electronic health records to investigate the relationship between PTSD treatment, symptom improvement, and cardiovascular health. The goal is to uncover potential interventions that can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases among individuals with PTSD.

Dr. S. Lawrence Zipursky's lab at UCLA studies how neurons in the brain form specific connections, which are crucial for behavior. By using the fruit fly Drosophila, the lab investigates the molecular mechanisms that dictate how different synapses are formed and how neurons choose their partners during the connection process. This research aims to understand and ultimately address the issues related to neurological and psychiatric disorders resulting from faulty synaptic connections.

The lab led by Chao Peng at UCLA focuses on understanding how certain chemical changes to tau proteins, called post-translational modifications, can influence the spread of tau-related diseases such as Alzheimer's. Their research is crucial for developing new therapies to slow down the progression of these neurodegenerative conditions. By studying tau from different disease states and using advanced techniques, they aim to uncover novel ways to interfere with tau transmission in the brain.

Dr. Juli Feigon's lab at UCLA studies the structure and function of telomerase, the enzyme responsible for maintaining telomeres, which are the protective ends of chromosomes. By combining advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy and NMR spectroscopy, the lab aims to understand how telomerase works, how it is regulated, and how mutations can lead to diseases like dyskeratosis congenita and aplastic anemia. This research is significant for revealing insights into aging, stem cell function, and potential therapeutic targets for various diseases.

Dr. Jack Feldman's lab at UCLA focuses on understanding how the brain controls breathing and how this relates to emotional regulation. They conduct experiments in both living and lab-based settings to uncover the mechanisms behind respiratory patterns and their effects on emotional states such as anxiety and panic. This research has significant implications for improving treatments for conditions related to breathing disorders and emotional disturbances.

Dr. Xianghong Jasmine Zhou's lab focuses on developing innovative methods for early cancer detection, particularly through the analysis of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and methylation patterns. By integrating advanced technologies and computational methods, the lab aims to accurately identify and localize cancers such as lung, liver, and gastrointestinal cancers in a non-invasive manner. Their research has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes by catching cancers earlier than ever before.

Dr. Michelle Craske's research focuses on innovative ways to help people overcome specific phobias and related anxiety disorders. By utilizing advanced brain imaging technology, her lab explores methods to reduce fear responses without the distress often associated with traditional exposure therapy. This could open new avenues for treating various fear-related conditions effectively and compassionately.

Dr. Liang Gao's lab at UCLA focuses on advanced imaging techniques to study heart and brain activity in real time. The research uses innovative optical methods, particularly in zebrafish models and neuronal networks, to explore the underlying mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation and the dynamics of neuronal signaling. This work has the potential to enhance our understanding of heart conditions and neuronal behavior at the cellular level.

Dr. Yvonne Yu-Hsuan Chen's lab focuses on developing innovative immunotherapy approaches for treating glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a highly aggressive brain tumor. The lab's key strategy is to engineer CAR-T cells that target specific tumor markers while also modifying the surrounding tumor environment to enhance immune response. Their work includes rigorous safety evaluations and aims to generate essential preclinical data to support clinical trials for GBM treatments.

Dr. Neil K. Garg's research lab at UCLA focuses on developing innovative chemical synthesis methods using unusual building blocks to create complex molecular structures. The work aims to improve how we construct small molecules that are important for natural products and medicines. By exploring strained intermediates with distorted geometries, the lab seeks to uncover new strategies for synthesizing drugs with intricate designs.

Dr. Daniel Aharoni's lab focuses on understanding how brain circuits encode and manage information through innovative technology. By developing advanced miniature microscopes that can be used on freely moving animals, the lab aims to explore the relationship between neural activity and behavior in real-time. Their open-source tools will help researchers in neuroscience better visualize and manipulate brain activity during natural behaviors.