Dr. Susan S. Taylor's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how protein kinase A (PKA) signaling works at a molecular level and how it is linked to various diseases, particularly neurodegenerative conditions. The lab utilizes a multidisciplinary approach that combines biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular biology to explore how different PKA isoforms function and localize within neurons. Through advanced imaging techniques and structural biology, they aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms of PKA regulation and its implications in health and disease.

Dr. Mana M Parast's lab focuses on understanding the complex biology of the human placenta, particularly how its structure and function relate to pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. They utilize advanced techniques in single-cell analysis and tissue modeling to explore the properties of placental cells and their interactions, aiming to enhance our understanding of placental dysfunction and develop potential regenerative strategies. This research is crucial as it reveals insights into conditions like Trisomy 21, which significantly affects placental health and fetal development.

Dr. Mariko Horii's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding preeclampsia, a serious condition during pregnancy that can have severe consequences for both mothers and their babies. By modeling placental defects with stem cells, the lab aims to identify the underlying mechanisms of this disease and improve treatment options. Their research seeks to establish better diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets to enhance prenatal care and health outcomes.

Dr. Wouter-Jan Rappel's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding and improving treatments for atrial fibrillation (AF), a common heart arrhythmia that can lead to serious complications like stroke. The lab is developing advanced computational methods to analyze electrical activity patterns in the hearts of AF patients. By creating detailed models based on patient data, the team aims to improve the effectiveness of ablation procedures used to treat AF.

Dr. David Kleinfeld's lab at UC San Diego studies how the brain controls movements involved in vital activities like breathing and eating. They focus on understanding the neuronal circuits that coordinate these actions, particularly looking at how rhythmic behaviors like licking and chewing are regulated. The research integrates experimental work with computational modeling to uncover the mechanisms that allow for flexible and precise motor control.

Dr. Navtej Singh Toor's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding the structures and functions of non-coding RNAs, which are vital for many biological processes but are often poorly understood. By using advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy, the lab aims to determine the precise structures of these RNAs to uncover their roles in gene regulation and disease, particularly in bacteria and humans. The overarching goal is to leverage this knowledge for potential therapeutic applications targeting RNA.

Dr. Roeben Munji's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how blood-brain barrier functions impact the health of the central nervous system (CNS). They specifically investigate how the metabolism of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin by endothelial cells can influence behavior and neuronal function. Through their research, they aim to uncover novel genes involved in these processes, which may lead to new insights for treating neurological disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Nathan Shaner’s lab at UC San Diego focuses on developing innovative tools to study CAR T-cell therapies for cancer treatment. They aim to create new bioluminescent and fluorescent sensors that can record calcium signaling in T-cells non-invasively to help researchers understand T-cell function and exhaustion. Through their work, they hope to enhance the safety and effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapies in treating various cancers, especially solid tumors.

Christina Sigurdson's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how prion diseases affect brain function and contribute to neurodegeneration. The research emphasizes the role of the ESCRT pathway in maintaining synaptic health and explores how prion proteins disrupt this process, leading to synaptic dysfunction and neuronal loss. By using advanced techniques like electrophysiology and microscopy, the lab aims to find new treatment strategies for fatal neurodegenerative disorders.

Dr. Mark H. Tuszynski's lab focuses on understanding and promoting recovery after spinal cord injuries in primates. Using advanced techniques, the lab investigates how injured spinal neurons can regenerate and form new connections, which could lead to improved voluntary motor control. Their research aims to identify optimal time points for intervention and to enhance the effectiveness of neural stem cell therapies for spinal cord healing.

Ina Stelzer's research lab focuses on understanding the complex interplay between the brain, immune system, and hormone signaling during pregnancy, particularly how these factors contribute to spontaneous preterm birth. By investigating the role of dopamine and other neuroimmunoendocrine processes, the lab aims to develop new predictive tools and therapeutic strategies to improve maternal and fetal health. This work has the potential to significantly impact public health by enhancing our understanding of pregnancy complications.

Dr. Suresh Subramani's lab at UC San Diego primarily investigates the mechanisms of peroxisome biogenesis, focusing on how these essential organelles are formed in cells. By utilizing yeast models, the lab aims to uncover key genes and proteins involved in the creation and regulation of peroxisomes, as well as the communication between peroxisomes and other cellular structures. This research not only enhances our understanding of cellular biology but also has implications for diagnosing and treating peroxisome biogenesis disorders in humans.

Dr. Karen L. Pierce's lab at UC San Diego focuses on improving the early detection of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using innovative eye-tracking technology. By analyzing visual attention patterns in toddlers, the lab aims to enhance the accuracy of ASD screenings during routine pediatric check-ups. Their research not only tests the effectiveness of eye tracking as a reliable screening tool but also explores how it compares to traditional parent questionnaire methods in identifying children who may need further evaluation.

Dr. Partho Ghosh's lab at UC San Diego focuses on developing vaccines against Streptococcus pyogenes, a dangerous bacterium that causes significant health issues worldwide. The research aims to find ways to create immunogens that generate responses to multiple strains of this pathogen by studying the structural characteristics of its M proteins. This work could lead to more effective vaccines and improve our understanding of immune responses to this bacterium.

Dr. Lawrence R. Frank's lab focuses on improving brain imaging techniques to study Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias. They have developed a new method called Joint Estimation Diffusion Imaging (JEDI) which enhances the ability to visualize subtle changes in brain tissue affected by Alzheimer’s. The ultimate goal is to create a tool that accurately detects and characterizes these changes to understand the disease better and possibly identify new treatments.

Dr. Takaki Komiyama's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how the brain's motor cortex helps us learn and execute movements. They study the interactions between different types of brain cells and how these interactions change when we learn new motor skills. By using mouse models and advanced techniques, the lab aims to find out how neurons in the motor cortex communicate and adapt, particularly in relation to motor disorders like Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis.

Dr. Duygu Kuzum's lab at UC San Diego focuses on developing cutting-edge technologies for monitoring and modulating neural activity. They are working on a unique probe system called Neuro-clear that integrates transparent electrodes with advanced imaging techniques to improve our understanding of brain function and its relationship to neurological disorders. This research aims to bridge the gap between small-scale brain activity and broader neural circuit interactions, with potential applications in treating various neurological diseases.

Dr. Robert H Tukey's lab at UC San Diego explores how exposure to environmental toxins, particularly triclosan, during early life can influence liver health in children and adults. The lab's studies focus on understanding how these exposures could lead to metabolic diseases and other health issues like severe jaundice in newborns. By using mouse models, they aim to uncover the mechanisms that connect early toxicant exposure to long-term health outcomes, particularly in relation to liver disease and gut health.

Professor Elizabeth A. Komives's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how transcription factors, specifically the nuclear factor kappa B (NFB), interact with DNA to control gene expression crucial for growth and immune responses. The lab uses a combination of theoretical modeling and experimental techniques to explore how these transcription factors assemble into complexes that regulate various biological processes, particularly under stress conditions. Their research has implications for diseases such as cancer, asthma, and autoimmune disorders.

Dr. Joann Trejo's lab at UC San Diego focuses on understanding how G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) signal within cells and contribute to various diseases, including vascular inflammation and cancer. The lab explores innovative mechanisms that regulate GPCRs and their signaling pathways, particularly in the context of endothelial dysfunction. This research aims to improve therapeutic options for diseases related to endothelial injury by targeting specific GPCR signaling mechanisms.