Dr. Scott Parnell's lab at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill focuses on understanding the effects of ethanol (alcohol) exposure during pregnancy, particularly its role in causing developmental disorders. The research explores how prenatal alcohol impacts cellular processes, genetics, and signaling pathways, which can lead to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). By using advanced models like mice and zebrafish, the lab aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind these disorders and identify genetic factors that influence individual susceptibility.

Professor Zibo Li's lab focuses on developing new techniques for labeling biomolecules with fluorine-18, a radioactive isotope used in medical imaging. The research aims to create efficient tools for producing radiolabeled agents that can improve the visualization of drug distribution in the brain and enhance medical imaging technologies. This work could significantly impact the fields of drug discovery and cancer imaging.

Dr. Matthew R. Redinbo's lab at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill focuses on understanding how gut microbial enzymes affect human health and disease. Their research explores the roles of these enzymes in various conditions, including infections and chronic diseases like kidney and heart disease, by investigating their structures and functions. The lab employs advanced techniques to discover new ways to target these microbial proteins, with the goal of developing innovative diagnostics and therapeutics.

Professor Alain T Laederach's lab focuses on understanding how changes in RNA structure can affect gene expression, particularly in the context of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The research explores the influence of non-coding RNA regions on gene regulation and aims to uncover new targets for RNA-based therapies. By integrating advanced RNA probing technologies and transcriptomics, the lab seeks to shed light on the complexities of RNA structure and its role in disease.

Dr. Elias Rosen's lab at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill focuses on understanding how antiretroviral drugs penetrate tissues during HIV treatment. By using advanced imaging techniques, the lab investigates how the structure of tissues may affect drug delivery and how this impacts the efficacy of HIV therapies. The goal is to optimize treatment strategies to improve clinical outcomes for individuals with HIV.

Dr. Aziz Sancar's research lab at UNC Chapel Hill focuses on understanding how DNA damage and repair processes are influenced by the circadian clock — the body’s internal clock that regulates biological rhythms. The lab employs innovative techniques to map DNA damage and repair at a single-nucleotide level, aiming to improve cancer treatment and prevention by linking these mechanisms to health outcomes. By exploring the relationships between DNA repair, environmental carcinogens, and chronotherapy, the lab contributes significantly to our understanding of cancer biology and personalized medicine.

Dr. Ronald Swanstrom's lab at UNC Chapel Hill focuses on understanding how HIV evolves and interacts with both the host immune system and antiviral treatments. They study different strains of HIV, particularly the subtype C variant prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, to assess drug resistance and improve treatment outcomes. The research combines advanced machine learning techniques with biological assays to monitor viral changes and latency in the brain and other tissues.

Dr. John Milner's lab explores how specific proteins influence T cell behavior during chronic infections like HIV and hepatitis. His research focuses on understanding how epigenetic regulators can modify T cells, which could potentially lead to new treatments that restore their effectiveness. By studying the roles of certain proteins in T cell function, the lab aims to uncover strategies to combat immune dysfunction in persistent infections.

Dr. Jessica E Thaxton's lab focuses on understanding how solid tumors impact the metabolism of immune cells, particularly CD8+ T cells. By studying how tumors affect lipid metabolism in these immune cells, her research aims to identify ways to enhance their function in cancer therapy. The lab's ultimate goal is to develop molecular strategies that could improve the effectiveness of immunotherapies in treating various cancers.

Dr. Rita Tamayo's lab studies the behavior of a bacterium called Clostridioides difficile, which can lead to serious intestinal infections, especially after antibiotic use. Her research focuses on how this bacterium varies its characteristics to survive in different environments, particularly how it balances the production of harmful toxins and flagella (which help it move and attach to cells) to thrive in the intestines. By uncovering the mechanisms behind this variability and how it affects the bacteria's ability to cause disease, the lab aims to contribute to new methods for preventing and treating C. difficile infections.

Dr. Laura Raffield's lab focuses on understanding the factors that contribute to cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease, particularly among Black American populations. The research investigates the role of inflammation and immune system functioning in these communities by studying biomarkers in blood samples and immune cells, aiming to identify biological mechanisms and risk factors for dementia. By analyzing large datasets, the lab hopes to uncover non-invasive methods for predicting Alzheimer's risk and improve our understanding of how social determinants of health affect cognitive function.

Dr. Hongtu Zhu's lab focuses on developing advanced tools to better understand Alzheimer's Disease (AD) by using a comprehensive knowledge graph platform. This platform will integrate various types of data, such as genetics, imaging, and clinical information, to identify factors related to the development and risk of dementia. The lab aims to create innovative analytic methods that can assist in discovering new genetic pathways and therapeutic approaches for AD.

Dr. Brian Strahl's lab at the University of North Carolina focuses on understanding how proteins that modify and manage histones—key components of our DNA—affect gene expression and chromatin structure. By studying the roles of these proteins and their modifications, especially in diseases like cancer, the lab aims to fill gaps in our knowledge about how genes are regulated and potentially identify new treatment targets. Students in the lab will engage with cutting-edge research at the intersection of biochemistry and genetics.

Dr. Daniel Matute's lab focuses on understanding how different species exchange genes and how this impacts evolution. They study hybrid organisms, particularly in the context of the fruit fly Drosophila, to figure out what drives gene exchange and how it influences the creation of new species. By combining fieldwork, genetic analysis, and experimental techniques, the lab aims to unravel the complexities of evolution and its relevance to genetic diversity and human health.

Dr. Hyejung Won's lab at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill focuses on understanding the genetic factors contributing to Alzheimer's disease and other conditions through advanced genomic techniques. The lab investigates how specific regulatory elements in DNA influence gene expression in a variety of cell types, especially in the brain, using innovative methods such as single-cell analysis and massively parallel reporter assays. The goal is to unravel the complexities of gene regulation in relation to diseases, allowing for better diagnostics and treatment options.

Dr. Patrick F. Sullivan's lab at the University of North Carolina focuses on understanding the genetic basis of severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. The lab partners with various global institutions to analyze genetic data from patients with these disorders, aiming to uncover specific genetic variations that could lead to new treatments. Through large-scale genomic sequencing and analysis, the lab seeks to increase diversity in genetic research and improve mental health therapies.

Dr. Guochun Jiang's lab at UNC Chapel Hill focuses on understanding HIV latency and the molecular mechanisms that control HIV reservoirs in the brain. Their research investigates how specific epigenetic modifications influence the behavior of HIV, particularly in myeloid cells in the central nervous system. By developing new therapeutic strategies, the lab aims to find ways to disrupt HIV latency and enhance treatment effectiveness for individuals living with HIV.

Dr. Jenny Ting's lab focuses on understanding how innate immune receptors, which play a critical role in the body's defense against infections and cancer, function and interact with various biological processes. The lab investigates how these receptors recognize DNA, their unexpected roles in adaptive immune cells like T and B lymphocytes, and their implications in diseases such as colorectal cancer and COVID-19. By exploring these aspects, the research aims to enhance immunotherapy strategies and improve our understanding of immune responses during infections.

Dr. Sharon L. Campbell's research lab at the University of North Carolina focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms by which mutated proteins contribute to cancer, particularly through the study of KRAS, a protein often mutated in lung cancers. The lab employs a variety of techniques to explore how these mutations can be targeted with innovative drugs, enhancing therapeutic strategies and potentially improving patient outcomes. Additionally, the lab delves into the roles of specific cell adhesion proteins in regulating cellular movement and stability, aiming to uncover pathways that could lead to new treatments for associated diseases.

Dr. Mark A. Peifer's lab at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill focuses on understanding how cells develop and maintain their structure during embryonic development and how these processes can go awry in diseases like cancer. By studying the fruit fly Drosophila and mammalian cells, the team investigates the role of specific proteins and cell signaling pathways in shaping tissues and organs. The research could shed light on fundamental developmental processes and their implications for congenital anomalies and cancer.