Dr. Donald O Freytes' lab at NC State University focuses on developing a new, non-invasive treatment for voice disorders that affect millions of Americans. The lab studies a special extract from vocal folds, which has shown promise in healing injuries and reducing scarring without needing surgery. Their work includes testing how this extract works at a molecular level and evaluating its safety and effectiveness in animal models.

Dr. Michele A Battle's lab focuses on understanding how gastric parietal cells function in the stomach. These cells are crucial for secreting acid and assisting with digestion. The lab is particularly interested in a protein called GATA4, which helps regulate how these cells work. By studying the roles of GATA4 and its effects on gastric health, the research has the potential to inform treatments for conditions like ulcers and gastric cancer.

Dr. Alon Greenbaum's lab at North Carolina State University focuses on developing advanced imaging techniques to study brain cells, particularly glial cells, which are important for brain health and function. Their innovative platform allows for fast and detailed analysis of entire brain tissues, helping to understand how changes in glial cell development relate to diseases like Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis. By optimizing imaging and machine learning, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms behind brain cell production and their potential role in regenerative medicine.

Dr. He Huang's research lab focuses on enhancing the functionality and accessibility of powered prosthetic devices for individuals with lower limb amputations. By utilizing advanced techniques like reinforcement learning and neural interfacing, the lab aims to personalize prosthetic control, improve balance, and ultimately enhance the quality of life for amputees. Their work addresses critical challenges such as gait efficiency and postural stability in daily activities.

Dr. Matthew B. Fisher's lab at North Carolina State University focuses on understanding knee injuries, particularly those involving the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus. They explore how hormones and growth affect knee joint function and the impacts of surgical techniques on recovery and joint health. Using advanced materials science, they also aim to develop better scaffolds for tissue engineering that mimic the structure and function of knee tissues to enhance healing and prevent further injuries.

Dr. Amit Sharma's research lab focuses on understanding how HIV-1 adapts to macaques, as these animals are used to model HIV infection for vaccine studies. By studying chimeric simian-human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIVs) and the immune responses in macaques, the lab aims to determine why existing models fail to replicate efficiently and how this can be improved. The ultimate goal is to enhance our understanding of HIV infection and help design better vaccine strategies.

Dr. Nanette M Nascone-Yoder's lab focuses on understanding how the stomach develops its unique leftward curvature during embryonic growth. They study the processes that lead to left-right asymmetries in stomach anatomy, which are crucial for preventing birth defects known as heterotaxy. Using both frog embryos and computer simulations, the lab aims to uncover the tissue-level mechanisms behind normal and abnormal stomach formation.

Dr. Santosh K. Mishra's lab focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind osteoarthritis (OA) pain, a condition that affects millions of adults. The lab investigates how the signaling pathways of artemin and its receptor relate to the pain experienced in OA, aiming to uncover new therapeutic targets. This research could pave the way for innovative and safer treatments for those suffering from chronic OA pain.

Dr. Cathrine Hoyo's lab at North Carolina State University focuses on understanding how prenatal stress and diet influence children's health, especially regarding obesity and metabolic disorders. By studying epigenetic changes that occur due to environmental factors, such as maternal stress and dietary habits, the lab aims to identify potential interventions that can mitigate negative health outcomes. Additionally, they investigate how exposure to environmental contaminants affects liver health, particularly in southern states where rates of liver cancer are rising.

Dr. Yogesh Saini's lab at North Carolina State University focuses on understanding how air pollution, particularly ozone, affects allergic asthma. They study the biological processes involved in the inflammation and healing of respiratory conditions. By investigating specific signaling pathways, the lab aims to find new ways to treat and manage respiratory diseases linked to air pollution and allergies.

Nathan C. Crook's research lab focuses on developing novel therapies to combat Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), a severe gastrointestinal illness. By engineering probiotic yeast to deliver specially designed peptides that neutralize the toxins produced by C. difficile, the lab aims to create a new treatment approach that is more effective and fewer side effects than traditional antibiotics. The research integrates techniques from molecular biology, microbiology, and bioengineering to create innovative solutions to this public health challenge.

Dr. Marie Muller's lab focuses on developing advanced ultrasound techniques for assessing lung diseases and cancer. The lab aims to create non-invasive methods for real-time monitoring and diagnosis, improving accuracy and patient care without exposing them to harmful radiation. By quantifying lung conditions and angiogenesis, the lab seeks to enhance cardiovascular and cancer treatment outcomes.

Dr. Xiaoning Jiang's lab focuses on developing advanced ultrasound technologies to improve treatments for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition that affects millions of Americans. The lab is working on a new catheter system that combines ultrasound imaging and therapy to rapidly dissolve blood clots while minimizing risks of bleeding and vessel damage. Their approach seeks to enhance the effectiveness and safety of existing treatments to ultimately save lives and improve outcomes for patients with DVT.

Dr. Xiaoqiu Wang's lab studies how aging affects the uterus and its ability to support pregnancy. The team focuses on the molecular mechanisms that lead to reproductive challenges in women of advanced maternal age, particularly how certain proteins respond to hormones. By investigating these processes in mice and human cells, they aim to uncover ways to improve pregnancy outcomes for older women.

Dr. David Zaharoff's lab at North Carolina State University focuses on developing immunotherapies for bladder cancer that not only aid canine patients but may also benefit human treatments. Their work emphasizes the use of interleukin-12 delivered through a biopolymer to trigger immune responses against invasive bladder tumors in dogs with spontaneous cancer. The research aims to establish safety and effectiveness levels of this therapy in dogs, paving the way for potential human clinical trials in the future.