Dr. Kathleen A. Boris-Lawrie's lab focuses on understanding how HIV-1 persistently impacts the immune system even when viral loads are controlled through medication. They investigate the role of RNA modifications in HIV-1's ability to replicate and evade immune response. The lab aims to uncover new mechanisms behind HIV behavior, with the hope of informing future treatments to better address chronic HIV infections.

Dr. Joseph Mark Metzger's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding how skeletal muscle works in both healthy and diseased states, particularly at the level of sarcomeres, which are the basic units of muscle contraction. The lab aims to uncover mechanisms that regulate muscle contraction and how these processes are affected by various muscle diseases. By developing innovative biosensor technologies, the lab seeks to create effective treatments for conditions that lead to muscle weakness and dysfunction.

Dr. Alessandro Bartolomucci's lab at the University of Minnesota investigates how the social environment influences health and aging. The lab uses mouse models to study the effects of social factors such as connectedness and stability on aging processes. By developing new behavioral assessments, they aim to identify interventions that can help improve resilience and overall longevity in the context of social influences.

Dr. Joseph S. Koopmeiners leads a research lab focused on developing advanced statistical methods to evaluate the public health impact of tobacco product standards, particularly through innovative data integration strategies. The lab combines rigorous statistical analysis with practical implications for tobacco regulation, aiming to inform the FDA’s decisions on product standards based on comprehensive data. Students in his lab will engage with contemporary public health challenges and contribute to significant regulatory science improvements.

Dr. Kristin A. Hogquist's research lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding how the thymus develops T cells that can tolerate self-antigens to prevent autoimmune diseases. The lab investigates how innate immune activation affects the selection processes of T cells in the thymus, particularly looking at the roles of cytokines like interferons. By studying the interactions between various immune cells, the lab aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to better understanding and treatment of autoimmune conditions.

Dr. Matthew T Aliota's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on the Powassan virus, a tick-borne pathogen that poses a growing public health threat. The research aims to investigate how the genetics of both the Powassan virus and its tick vector contribute to disease transmission and severity across different regions in the Northeast and Midwest U.S. This work is vital for understanding how such viruses may evolve and spread, ultimately aiding in disease prediction and prevention efforts.

Dr. Kamil Ugurbil's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding how different parts of the brain connect and communicate with each other. By mapping these connections in detail, they aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms that support behaviors and cognitive functions, such as decision-making and attention. Their innovative approach combines advanced imaging techniques and anatomical studies on both human and nonhuman primate brains.

Dr. Hideki Aihara's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding how viruses replicate and invade host cells. By studying the molecular structures of various viruses, including retroviruses like the Human T-cell Leukemia virus and coronaviruses, the lab aims to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new antiviral treatments. The research also explores gene delivery methods, which can be helpful in both therapy and research applications.

Dr. Michael Gale's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding how the immune system responds to viral infections, specifically West Nile virus and the use of a unique vaccine strategy for HIV prevention. The research explores both the mechanisms that allow viruses to invade the central nervous system and how vaccines can be designed to elicit effective immune responses. By using innovative models and advanced sequencing technologies, the lab aims to uncover critical information that could lead to better treatments and vaccines against these serious viral threats.

Dr. Jerrold L Vitek's research focuses on understanding Parkinson's disease (PD) and improving treatments like deep brain stimulation (DBS). His lab studies how brain circuits related to movement change in PD, especially in response to therapies such as medication and DBS. By using advanced techniques to record neural activity in animal models, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms behind motor symptoms and therapeutic effects, leading to better treatments for individuals with Parkinson's disease.

David Walk's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) by collecting and analyzing comprehensive medical data from ALS patients. By partnering with multiple clinics and engaging with the ALS community, the lab aims to improve the understanding of ALS progression and inform better treatment strategies. Their research includes a broad representation of patients to ensure findings are relevant across different backgrounds and experiences.

Dr. David Kevin Wood's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on developing new ways to measure and understand sickle cell disease (SCD) through biomarkers. They aim to find specific cells' properties that can predict clinical outcomes to improve patient care and treatment strategies. By combining biochemical and mechanical measurements of red blood cells, the lab is paving the way for more effective monitoring and therapy for SCD patients.

Dr. Xiaoping Wu's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on advancing MRI technology to allow deeper insights into the human brain. By working with ultrahigh magnetic fields, the lab develops innovative tools to achieve much clearer images of brain function than current methods allow. This research could significantly impact our understanding of how the brain works, particularly in health and disease.

Dr. Christopher J. Mehus leads a research lab at the University of Minnesota focused on improving mental health outcomes for children and adolescents. His lab develops and tests innovative, eHealth-based parenting interventions that can be delivered easily through primary care settings. By enhancing the availability and effectiveness of these parent-focused programs, his research aims to prevent behavioral health problems such as depression in youth, making helpful resources more accessible to families.

Joseph Anthony Zasadzinski's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding lung surfactants and their role in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). They investigate how lysolipids affect the stability of lung surfactant monolayers, which is critical for maintaining healthy lung function. The lab aims to develop effective therapies for ARDS, particularly relevant in the context of COVID-19, by exploring ways to stabilize lung surfactants and prevent lung collapse during respiration.

The lab led by Dr. Heather Zierhut at the University of Minnesota focuses on improving genetic counseling processes to enhance patient outcomes. They study how different counseling methods affect patient experiences and aim to develop strategies to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of genetic counseling. This research is particularly relevant for areas like prenatal care and oncology, where accurate and efficient counseling is crucial.

Jan Zimmermann's lab at the University of Minnesota studies how the brain coordinates behavior over different time scales, from quick movements to long-term planning. By observing rhesus macaques in naturalistic settings and using advanced technologies like deep learning for motion tracking, the lab aims to uncover how cognitive factors and neural processes work together to help animals make decisions. This research has implications for understanding flexible behavior in both healthy individuals and those with psychiatric disorders.