Eric E. Bouhassira · Biology
Dr. Eric E. Bouhassira's lab at Albert Einstein College of Medicine focuses on developing new methods to produce cultured red blood cells (cRBCs) from stem cells. This innovative research aims to improve transfusion therapies, especially for patients with sickle cell disease by creating reliable sources of red blood cells with known antigen profiles. The work promises significant advancements in addressing the challenges of alloimmunization and providing effective transfusion support.
Wenjun Guo · Biology
Dr. Wenjun Guo's lab at Albert Einstein College of Medicine focuses on understanding how certain breast cancer cells evade the immune system and progress into aggressive cancers. The lab studies basal-like breast cancer, which significantly affects younger women and those with specific genetic backgrounds. The aim is to identify new strategies to prevent this type of cancer by targeting early-stage stem-like cells that play a crucial role in cancer development.
Bernice E Morrow · Genetics
Dr. Bernice Morrow's lab at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine focuses on understanding how specific genes influence the development of the heart, particularly in relation to congenital heart diseases linked to a genetic condition known as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. They use advanced techniques to study molecular mechanisms in developing mouse models, aiming to uncover how cell fate decisions are made during heart formation. By identifying and manipulating genetic pathways, the lab seeks to provide insights that could help in treating heart defects associated with this condition.
Louis Hodgson · Pharmacology
Dr. Louis Hodgson's lab at Albert Einstein College of Medicine focuses on developing and applying advanced imaging techniques to study how cells move and interact with their environment. They use innovative biosensors to observe key signaling pathways within living cells, particularly in relation to how cells migrate and invade in both normal and diseased states. By analyzing these complex cellular processes, their research aims to provide insights into important biological functions and disease mechanisms.
Kartik Chandran · Microbiology & Immunology
Dr. Kartik Chandran's lab focuses on the investigation of viral pathogens, particularly enveloped RNA viruses, to develop new vaccines and therapeutic antibodies. Their research includes studying the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, which is a severe threat to public health, and creating fast, adaptable strategies for combating various emerging infectious diseases. Through collaborative efforts, they aim to generate effective immunization strategies and improve our understanding of viral pathogenesis.
Laura Thi Germine · Neuroscience
Dr. Laura Thi Germine's lab at Albert Einstein College of Medicine focuses on improving mental health outcomes for individuals with serious mental illnesses. The lab develops innovative cognitive measures that track people's mental processes over time to predict clinical risks and treatment needs more effectively. Their work aims to make mental health care more accessible and culturally appropriate through the use of technology and comprehensive data analysis.
David Cowburn · Biochemistry
Dr. David Cowburn's lab at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine explores how the dynamic behaviors of disordered proteins influence their roles in various biological processes. By employing advanced techniques like NMR spectroscopy and molecular simulations, the lab is focusing on the nuclear pore complex and the engineering of proteins through inteins for therapeutic applications. This research is significant for understanding diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration, and may lead to new methods for targeted drug delivery.
Meelad Dawlaty · Genetics
Dr. Meelad Dawlaty's lab focuses on understanding how specific enzymes, known as Tet enzymes, play a crucial role in the formation of blood cells during embryonic development. They study how these enzymes help regulate the transition of cells from one type to another, specifically from endothelial cells to blood progenitor cells. By exploring the molecular mechanisms behind these processes, the lab aims to inform potential treatments for blood disorders and improve methods for generating blood cells in the lab for clinical applications.
Teresa V Bowman · Biology
Dr. Teresa V. Bowman's lab at Albert Einstein College of Medicine investigates how genetic mutations affect the blood system, focusing particularly on conditions like myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). By using zebrafish models, the lab explores the role of specific genes and environmental factors in the development and function of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, which are crucial for blood cell production. The research aims to uncover insights that could lead to better understanding and treatment of blood disorders, particularly in older adults.
William Robert Jacobs · Microbiology & Immunology
William Robert Jacobs leads a research lab focused on understanding how Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB), interacts with the immune system. His lab investigates a specialized protein transport system called Esx5, which is important for the bacterium's ability to cause disease and evade the immune response. By studying a mutant version of this bacterium, which acts as a potential vaccine, the lab aims to identify and characterize key proteins involved in TB pathogenesis and immunity.
Jonathan R. Lai · Biochemistry
Dr. Jonathan R. Lai's lab at Albert Einstein College of Medicine focuses on developing immunotherapies using human antibodies to combat alphavirus infections, such as Chikungunya and Mayaro viruses. The lab studies how these viruses cause diseases like arthritis and seeks to create effective antibody combinations to enhance protection against these viral infections. Their research could lead to new therapeutic options for patients suffering from alphavirus-related illnesses.
Rachel A Ross · Neuroscience
Dr. Rachel A. Ross's lab at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine focuses on understanding the complex relationship between obesity and cognitive function. The research explores how specific brain circuits, particularly those involving melanocortin peptides, influence feeding behavior and body weight regulation. By studying these mechanisms in mice, the lab aims to identify new targets for obesity treatment that can improve both physical health and cognitive abilities.
Shanye Yin · Biology
Dr. Shanye Yin's lab focuses on understanding how HIV and HPV interact to influence the development of oropharyngeal cancer, a type of throat cancer. By investigating the role of immune cells, particularly CD8+ T cells, in patients co-infected with these viruses, the lab aims to uncover new strategies for preventing and treating cancer in individuals living with HIV. Their research combines advanced techniques like single-cell sequencing and innovative mouse models to provide insights that could lead to improved therapies for affected patients.
Chandan Guha · Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Chandan Guha's lab studies how sex differences impact the body's response to radiation exposure, aiming to improve treatments for radiation injuries. They focus on how hormones and genetic factors differ between males and females and how these differences can affect health outcomes after radiation exposure. One of their key projects is developing a new drug that could help protect the intestines from radiation damage.
Kristy Stengel · Biology
Kristy Stengel's lab focuses on understanding how the RUNX1 transcription factor regulates the development of blood cells and its links to blood disorders, such as familial platelet disorder and blood cancer. The lab utilizes innovative techniques to examine how RUNX1 interacts with other proteins to control gene expression that is critical for blood cell formation and function. By employing cell lines and engineered mouse models, they aim to uncover the mechanisms behind RUNX1's role in hematopoiesis, contributing to our understanding of genetic blood conditions.
Dmitry V Fyodorov · Biology
Dr. Dmitry Fyodorov's lab at Albert Einstein College of Medicine focuses on understanding how sperm chromatin is structured and remodeled during the development of sperm and the process of fertilization. By studying the unique features of sperm chromatin—especially how it differs from chromatin in other cell types—his team aims to uncover mechanisms that may inform treatments for fertility issues and develop new contraceptives. The research combines molecular biology, biophysics, and genetics using the fruit fly as a model organism.
Maria Marianovich · Biology
Dr. Maria Marianovich's lab studies how the sympathetic nervous system influences the aging of blood-forming stem cells within the bone marrow. They aim to uncover the mechanisms that govern stem cell function and their environment as we age, which is crucial for understanding blood disorders and potential therapeutic strategies. Her research involves cutting-edge techniques and aims to reveal how nerve signals affect stem cell health and longevity.
Keisuke Ito · Biology
Dr. Keisuke Ito's lab focuses on understanding the role of the Tet2 gene in hematopoietic stem cells, which are essential for producing blood cells. They study how mutations in Tet2 can lead to disorders like myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a disease where blood production is impaired. By using genetically modified mouse models, the lab aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms by which Tet2 functions, contributing to better treatments for blood-related diseases.
Zijie Sun · Biology
Dr. Zijie Sun's lab at Albert Einstein College of Medicine focuses on understanding the biological mechanisms behind prostate cancer, particularly in African American men. The research aims to explore how genetic variations in androgen signaling pathways contribute to the higher incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in this population. By using advanced animal models and cutting-edge techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing, the lab aims to uncover new strategies for prevention and treatment.
Vern L. Schramm · Biochemistry
Dr. Vern L. Schramm's lab focuses on developing targeted therapies for cancer based on understanding the mechanisms of enzymes involved in cell death. By studying specific enzymes, such as SAMHD1 and PNP, the lab aims to create effective drug combinations that can improve treatment outcomes for T-cell cancers. The research combines principles of chemistry and biology to design inhibitors that may help patients with resistant cancers.