Sean F Brady · Genetics
Dr. Sean F. Brady's lab at Rockefeller University focuses on discovering new antibiotics from soil microbiomes using advanced metagenomic techniques. By extracting DNA directly from environmental samples, they bypass the need to culture bacteria, enabling the identification of a vast array of novel natural products. These new compounds may serve as lead structures for the development of effective therapies against drug-resistant bacterial pathogens.
Ali H Brivanlou · Biology
Dr. Ali H. Brivanlou's lab focuses on using marmoset monkeys to study Huntington's disease, a complex neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement and cognition. The lab aims to create genetic models that mirror human conditions by employing advanced techniques like CRISPR and stem cell technologies. By understanding the molecular basis of Huntington's disease in a primate context, the research seeks to uncover new insights into its causes and how it might be treated.
Junyue Cao · Genetics
Dr. Junyue Cao's research lab at Rockefeller University is focused on understanding how neurogenesis, or the generation of new neurons, changes in the aging brain and in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. The lab employs advanced genomic techniques to investigate the complexities of these processes at the single-cell level, aiming to uncover potential therapeutic strategies to restore normal brain function. Through innovative high-throughput methodologies, the lab seeks to visualize and characterize the molecular dynamics of neuronal growth and differentiation across various conditions.
Tarun M. Kapoor · Chemistry
Dr. Tarun M. Kapoor's lab at Rockefeller University focuses on understanding the crucial molecular processes that allow cells to divide correctly. Mistakes in cell division can lead to serious diseases, including cancer. The research combines chemical biology and advanced microscopy techniques to investigate how different proteins and structures contribute to this dynamic process. The aim is to discover new insights that may lead to innovative treatments for diseases caused by cell division errors.
Elaine Fuchs · Biology
Dr. Elaine Fuchs' lab at Rockefeller University studies how skin stem cells contribute to tissue growth, maintenance, and healing. The research focuses on understanding how these cells communicate with their environment and respond to signals, which is crucial for maintaining healthy skin and informing regenerative medicine. By investigating the mechanisms of stem cell behavior and their role in diseases like cancer, the lab aims to develop new therapeutic strategies for skin-related disorders.
Hironori Funabiki · Biology
Dr. Hironori Funabiki's lab at Rockefeller University focuses on understanding how chromosomes are inherited and maintained during cell division, processes that are crucial for preventing diseases like cancer. The lab utilizes innovative techniques involving Xenopus egg extracts to study the structure and regulation of nucleosomes, which are essential for the integrity of our genetic material. Through their research, they aim to uncover the roles of specific proteins in maintaining chromosome stability and preventing immune responses that could lead to cell death.
Theodora Hatziioannou · Microbiology & Immunology
Dr. Theodora Hatziioannou's lab at Rockefeller University focuses on understanding how the body's antiviral defenses impact the ability of lentiviruses, like HIV-1, to infect hosts. By studying how specific proteins in the immune system respond to these viruses, her team aims to identify ways that lentiviruses evade detection and resistance. This research is critical for developing better strategies for preventing and treating HIV-related diseases.
Jean-Laurent Casanova · Genetics
Dr. Jean-Laurent Casanova's lab at Rockefeller University focuses on understanding how genetic defects in immune responses can lead to diseases caused by infections, such as chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis and herpes simplex encephalitis. By exploring the genetic basis of these conditions, the lab aims to identify the underlying causes and improve treatment options for affected individuals, particularly in the context of life-threatening COVID-19. The research combines clinical aspects with advanced genomic techniques to shed light on human immunity.
John Lacava · Biology
Dr. John Lacava's research lab focuses on understanding the role of LINE-1 retrotransposons in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias. By investigating how these genetic elements contribute to cellular aging and inflammation, the lab aims to uncover potential mechanisms behind the onset of these diseases. Through various experimental approaches, including examining biological samples from patients and cell cultures, the lab seeks to clarify the relationship between LINE-1 and cellular senescence, ultimately hoping to inform strategies for better understanding and treating these conditions.
Vanessa Ruta · Physiology
Vanessa Ruta's lab at Rockefeller University studies how evolutionary differences in neural circuits can influence animal behavior, specifically focusing on Drosophila species. By utilizing advanced techniques like CRISPR genome editing, the lab aims to map the changes in nerve pathways that correspond to behavioral variations across species. Their research offers insights into the molecular and genetic foundations that explain how these circuits evolve, which could have important implications for understanding brain disorders and mental health.
Priya Rajasethupathy · Neuroscience
Dr. Priya Rajasethupathy's lab at Rockefeller University focuses on understanding how the thalamus contributes to working memory, particularly in the context of deficits seen in disorders like ADHD and schizophrenia. The lab's research incorporates both chronic and acute molecular studies to explore the role of a newly identified receptor, Gpr12, in maintaining thalamo-cortical activity that underlies memory function. Ultimately, their work aims to uncover therapeutic targets to improve short-term memory capabilities in affected individuals.
Sebastian Klinge · Biochemistry
Dr. Sebastian Klinge's lab at Rockefeller University studies how ribosomes, the molecular machines responsible for protein synthesis, are assembled in cells. The lab focuses on understanding the complex process of ribosome assembly, particularly the early stages that occur in the nucleolus. By integrating advanced techniques like cryo-electron microscopy and AI-based tools, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms involved in this critical process and how errors in ribosome assembly can lead to blood disorders known as ribosomopathies.
Charles M Rice · Microbiology & Immunology
Dr. Charles M. Rice's research lab focuses on viral infections, particularly hepatitis B and various RNA viruses, including coronaviruses. The lab seeks to understand how these viruses interact with host cells, the mechanisms by which the immune system responds to these infections, and how viral pathogenesis occurs at the cellular level. By employing advanced technologies such as RNA sequencing and single-cell analysis, the lab aims to uncover new therapeutic strategies and improve our understanding of viral diseases.
Robert G Roeder · Biochemistry
Dr. Robert G. Roeder's lab at Rockefeller University focuses on understanding how specific proteins interact to control the formation and function of fat cells, which play a crucial role in metabolic health. The lab uses a combination of biochemical techniques and animal studies to explore how these interactions can impact conditions like obesity and diabetes. This research aims to uncover new potential treatments for metabolic disorders by examining the underlying mechanisms of fat cell behavior.
Sidney Strickland · Biology
Dr. Sidney Strickland's lab at Rockefeller University focuses on understanding the mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease (AD), particularly the roles of inflammation and blood clotting. They investigate how interactions between the beta-amyloid peptide and fibrinogen contribute to cognitive decline and vascular dysfunction in AD. The lab aims to develop new therapeutic strategies by targeting these molecular interactions and understanding their impact on brain health.
Sohail F. Tavazoie · Biology
Dr. Sohail F. Tavazoie's lab at Rockefeller University focuses on understanding the biology and genetics behind the process of metastasis, which is how cancer spreads from its original site to other parts of the body. By examining how certain genetic variants and microRNAs influence metastasis, the lab aims to identify critical pathways that could lead to new therapies for cancer. Their work has significant implications for developing targeted treatments that can prevent or reduce metastasis in various cancers.
Titia De Lange · Biology
Dr. Titia De Lange's lab at Rockefeller University studies how telomeres—the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes—affect cancer and cellular aging. They investigate the mechanisms behind genome instability in tumors caused by telomere shortening, and how this can lead to issues such as replicative senescence, which limits cell proliferation. Their research aims to provide insights that could potentially inform cancer treatments and preventive strategies.
Seth A. Darst · Physiology
Dr. Seth A. Darst's lab focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of transcription in both viral and bacterial systems. Their current research targets the SARS-CoV-2 virus, investigating how its replication and transcription process works at a structural level to enable the development of new antiviral treatments. Additionally, the lab studies bacterial RNA polymerase to uncover how gene expression is regulated and how new antibiotics can be designed, especially in response to rising antibiotic resistance.
Alipasha Vaziri · Biophysics
Dr. Alipasha Vaziri's lab focuses on advancing imaging techniques to monitor brain activity at the level of individual neurons in living animals. By developing new optical platforms and genetically encoded indicators, the lab aims to understand how complex brain functions arise from the interactions among large groups of neurons. The research combines cutting-edge technology with biological insight to enable deeper exploration of the brain's function and behavior.
Gabriel D Victora · Microbiology & Immunology
The research lab of Gabriel D Victora at Rockefeller University focuses on understanding how the immune system, particularly B cells, generates antibodies to fight infections and diseases. Their work investigates the mechanisms behind antibody production in the gut, how B cells select specific microbial targets, and how this process contributes to health and disease, such as inflammatory bowel disease and cancer. The lab employs advanced experimental techniques to map the complexities of immune responses, aiming to improve vaccine design and therapeutic strategies.