Jun Wu's research lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center focuses on innovative techniques to study brain development and evolution using interspecies models. The team employs a groundbreaking method called blastocyst complementation to introduce rat brain tissue into mice, allowing for the investigation of how different species' brains develop and function together. This research has significant implications for understanding neurological processes and potentially ethical considerations concerning human brain studies.

Dr. Tuoqi Wu's lab focuses on understanding how specific immune cells, called CD8 T cells, respond to chronic viral infections like HIV, HBV, and HCV. Their research aims to enhance the immune response against these viruses by investigating different types of CD8 T cells, particularly a special group that is more effective in fighting infections. By uncovering the mechanisms that allow these cells to maintain their functionality over time, they hope to develop new strategies to improve immunotherapies for chronic infections.

Dr. Xuewu Zhang's lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center focuses on studying the STING protein, which is crucial for the body's defense against viruses and cancer. The lab works to uncover how STING is regulated and aims to develop new drugs that activate STING to enhance immune responses. This research could lead to innovative treatments for cancer and viral infections.

Dr. Zhao Zhang's lab focuses on understanding lipid metabolism and its implications for diseases like atherosclerosis and liver disease. They study how a specific protein, HELZ2, regulates the degradation of Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) mRNA in the liver, which is crucial for managing cholesterol levels. By investigating genetic variations and their effects on lipid homeostasis, the lab aims to find new therapeutic strategies to treat metabolic disorders.

Dr. Wen-Hong Li's lab at UT Southwestern Medical Center studies the role of a protein called ZnT8 in pancreatic islet cells, which are crucial for insulin production. The research aims to understand how ZnT8 functions in relation to diabetes, particularly in preserving the health of insulin-producing beta cells. By exploring the mechanisms of ZnT8, the lab aims to develop new treatments that could prevent or reverse diabetes.