Dr. Zhongjie Sun's lab focuses on understanding how aging affects kidney function and blood pressure, particularly through the role of exosomes derived from renal stem cells. They investigate how these tiny vesicles influence kidney health and contribute to conditions like hypertension as people age. The research aims to uncover new treatment strategies for kidney diseases and hypertension in the elderly.

Dr. Bhupesh Singla's lab at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center studies the role of certain proteins in the development of atherosclerosis, a major cardiovascular disease. The lab focuses on how vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and lymphatic networks contribute to plaque formation in arteries and explores potential new treatments to prevent or reverse atherosclerosis. By uncovering the mechanisms behind these processes, the lab aims to provide insights that could lead to reducing the impacts of heart disease.

Dr. Anna Bukiya's lab focuses on understanding how prenatal alcohol exposure affects fetal brain development, particularly through changes in fetal cerebral arteries. By studying animal models, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms behind fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and seeks to identify potential therapeutic interventions to prevent or treat the damage caused by alcohol during pregnancy. The findings could lead to significant advances in public health by providing new avenues for treatment against the consequences of FASD.

Dr. Gabor J. Tigyi's lab focuses on discovering small molecules that can enhance the immune response against tumors by targeting a specific receptor called LPAR5, which inhibits the activity of cytotoxic T cells. By blocking this receptor, the lab aims to improve T cell activation and boost the body's ability to fight cancer. This research could lead to new treatments for immune-resistant cancers.

Dr. Jonathan H. Jaggar's lab focuses on understanding how endothelial cells regulate blood vessel functions and their role in cardiovascular diseases like hypertension. The lab studies a specific chloride channel called TMEM16A, which has uncertain physiological and pathological impacts. By using various advanced techniques, the lab aims to uncover important insights into how these channels function under normal conditions and how they might contribute to vascular dysfunction when altered, especially in disease states.

The research lab led by Dr. Colleen B. Jonsson at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center focuses on developing new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics to combat infectious diseases and bioterrorism threats. Operating within a state-of-the-art biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) facility, the team works on enhancing biosafety practices and research support for medical countermeasures against emerging pathogens. The lab collaborates with various institutions and emphasizes training and management of biosafety practices in alignment with public health and safety standards.

Dr. Kafait U Malik's lab focuses on understanding how hormones like estrogen and testosterone interact with specific enzymes in the brain, influencing blood pressure, especially in relation to sex differences. They utilize various advanced techniques to explore these interactions, aiming to identify new treatment strategies for hypertension and related health issues.

Dr. Wei Li's lab focuses on developing innovative treatments for metastatic breast cancer, particularly in overcoming challenges associated with brain and bone metastases. The lab aims to create new drug candidates that bypass the limitations of existing therapies while enhancing treatment effectiveness for patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Through a combination of structural optimization and advanced drug design techniques, they strive to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Dr. Lawrence Pfeffer's lab focuses on understanding and treating glioblastoma, a deadly type of brain cancer. The lab investigates how certain molecular pathways impact the resistance of brain tumor cells to treatment and aims to develop new strategies that enhance the effectiveness of existing therapies. Using various experimental techniques, the lab seeks to make significant advances in the fight against this challenging disease.

Dr. Gadiparthi N Rao's lab focuses on the mechanisms behind retinal neovascularization, particularly in the context of diabetic retinopathy. The research aims to understand how a protein called GRP78 influences the formation of abnormal blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to vision loss. By investigating these mechanisms, the lab seeks to identify new therapeutic targets for treating retinal diseases while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.

Dr. Hao Chen's lab studies how social environments affect nicotine addiction, especially among adolescents. By using a rat model, the lab explores the biological underpinnings of nicotine's appeal, even when it is initially aversive. This research could provide key insights into addiction treatment and prevention, as understanding these mechanisms may help in developing better public health strategies.

The lab focuses on understanding how social interactions affect alcohol consumption and dependence, particularly through the lens of the social neuropeptide oxytocin. By developing a preclinical model, the research aims to dissect the neurobiological mechanisms underlying alcohol-seeking behaviors in diverse social contexts. This work is especially relevant to addressing Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), which significantly impacts public health.

Dr. Francesca-Fang Liao's lab focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind tau accumulation and neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. They investigate how tau protein is cleared from cells, especially under conditions of oxidative stress, and aim to identify potential therapeutic strategies to enhance this clearance. The ultimate goal is to develop treatments that could slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and improve cognitive function in patients.

Dr. Radhakrishna Rao's lab focuses on understanding how substances like alcohol and radiation damage the intestines and the immune systems that protect them. They investigate the role of calcium channels and specialized cells in the intestines, hoping to develop new treatments for alcohol-related diseases and radiation injuries. By studying how these factors lead to inflammation and gut health issues, the lab aims to find ways to counteract these serious health threats.

Dr. Burt M. Sharp's lab at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center focuses on understanding the genetic and molecular factors that contribute to nicotine addiction. Using a unique panel of hybrid rats, the lab studies how different genetic variants influence behaviors related to smoking and nicotine dependence. Their research aims to move towards precision medicine by mapping the genetic links to addiction behaviors, which can ultimately inform treatments for smoking cessation.

Dr. Alex Dopico's research lab focuses on understanding how alcohol consumption leads to blackouts, a form of memory loss often related to a specific brain region and its blood vessels. By exploring the actions of alcohol on ion channels in the blood vessels of the brain, the lab aims to uncover new molecular targets that could be used to develop treatments for alcohol-induced blackouts. The research combines various experimental techniques to investigate how these mechanisms work at different levels, from isolated cells to living mice.