Dr. Emad S Alnemri's lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on understanding the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key player in the body's inflammatory response. They investigate how this complex is activated in response to infections and tissue damage, which may lead to various inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and type 2 diabetes. By studying the molecular mechanisms behind NLRP3 activation, they aim to discover new therapeutic approaches to manage these conditions.

Dr. Diane E Merry's lab focuses on understanding spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), a neurodegenerative disease caused by mutations in the androgen receptor. By studying cellular and animal models, the lab aims to uncover the role of protein interactions related to this disease and to develop potential therapeutic strategies. This work seeks to ultimately provide insights into not just SBMA, but also other neurodegenerative conditions associated with protein misfolding.

Dr. Ziaur Rahman's lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on understanding autoimmune diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). His research investigates how specific metabolic pathways and regulatory molecules in B cells contribute to the development of autoreactive cells and disease progression. The lab aims to identify potential therapeutic targets to improve treatments for SLE and related conditions.

Dr. Hallgeir Rui's lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on understanding the complex mechanisms behind breast cancer, particularly the aggressive forms that resist treatment. Their research seeks to uncover why certain breast cancers, especially those that are estrogen receptor-positive and have a mixed luminal-basal phenotype, become resistant to therapies. The lab aims to develop better diagnostic tools and new treatment strategies to improve outcomes for patients with these challenging cancers.

Dr. Bruno Calabretta's lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on developing innovative treatments for specific types of leukemia, particularly B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). They explore how to 'reprogram' leukemia cells to become less aggressive and more likely to undergo cell maturation and death. The lab uses cutting-edge techniques to inhibit proteins that help leukemia cells proliferate and survive, aiming to improve therapy for patients with resistant forms of leukemia.

Dr. Gyorgy Hajnoczky's lab focuses on understanding how changes in calcium levels within mitochondria affect neuronal health. They explore the role of specific proteins, particularly the MICU family, in calcium signaling and how their dysfunction can lead to neurological disorders. By using advanced imaging techniques and mouse models, the lab aims to determine the connections between mitochondrial calcium homeostasis, neurodegeneration, and brain functioning in different conditions, such as hypoxia and developmental stages.

Dr. John Eisenbrey’s lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on improving imaging techniques for detecting recurrent cancers, particularly using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). They aim to refine methods for assessing responses to treatments like renal cancer ablation and liver cancer chemoembolization. The lab's goal is to enhance the accuracy of these imaging technologies, making cancer detection and treatment assessment faster and more effective for patients.

Erik Debler's lab at Thomas Jefferson University studies a type of parasite called the African trypanosome, which causes serious diseases like sleeping sickness. The team focuses on understanding how this parasite regulates its genes using special enzymes that modify DNA. By uncovering these mechanisms, they hope to find new treatments for infections caused by these parasites, which affect millions of people worldwide.

Dr. Ya-Ming Hou's research lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on discovering new antibiotics to fight resistant Gram-negative bacteria, which are notoriously difficult to target due to their protective double membrane. The lab aims to inhibit a specific bacterial enzyme, TrmD, that is crucial for protein synthesis. By screening natural products from various microbial sources, the lab hopes to identify new compounds that can penetrate bacterial cells and effectively kill these resistant organisms.

Dr. Niraj Lodhi's lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on how early life lead exposure affects brain development and memory through changes in RNA methylation. The research explores the role of a specific RNA modification, m6A, in cognitive functions, particularly its influence on memory-related genes. By investigating these mechanisms, the lab aims to understand the long-term consequences of lead exposure on learning and behavior.

Dr. Lucia R. Languino's lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on understanding and targeting Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer (NEPC), a rapidly advancing and treatment-resistant form of prostate cancer. The lab investigates how tumor cells adapt and metastasize in response to therapy, aiming to identify new therapeutic targets. Their work combines various projects that explore cellular communication, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the tumor microenvironment surrounding NEPC.

Dr. A. Sue Menko's research lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on understanding how the immune system interacts with the eye, particularly in maintaining health after injuries like corneal wounds. The lab studies special immune cells associated with the lens of the eye to learn how they can either help restore balance or lead to problems such as cataracts and glaucoma. Their work is crucial for developing new treatments for eye diseases caused by inflammation.

Dr. Dmitry Temiakov's lab focuses on understanding how our cells replicate and transcribe mitochondrial DNA, which is critical for energy production and overall cell function. The lab investigates the structures and mechanisms of dedicated enzymes that carry out these processes, aiming to unveil insights that could help in treating diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. This research not only enhances our basic understanding of cellular biology but also contributes to addressing degenerative diseases linked to aging and mitochondrial mutations.

Dr. Erin Seifert's lab studies how fatty acids are processed by the body when mitochondrial function is impaired, specifically in conditions like mitochondrial myopathy. This research focuses on understanding how skeletal muscle, liver, and heart adapt to these deficiencies to manage energy production and cellular stress. Their ultimate goal is to identify new ways to support metabolic health in individuals with mitochondrial diseases.

Dr. Angelo C. Lepore's lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on understanding how certain proteins in the nervous system influence pain after spinal cord injuries. Using advanced genetic mouse models, the lab investigates how the EphB2 receptor interacts with NMDA receptors to affect nerve signaling and contribute to chronic pain conditions. The ultimate goal is to discover new ways to manage pain without relying on traditional opioid treatments.

Dr. Davide Trotti's research lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on understanding the biological mechanisms behind neurodegenerative diseases, particularly C9orf72-associated ALS and frontotemporal dementia. The lab investigates how genomic instability and the mobilization of transposable elements can lead to neuronal damage and cell death. They also explore potential therapeutic strategies to intervene in these processes and improve outcomes for affected patients.

Dr. Yohei Kirino's lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on understanding the role of small non-coding RNAs in acute lung injury (ALI), a serious respiratory condition. The lab aims to uncover how specific types of RNA derived from tRNA and rRNA contribute to the inflammatory response in ALI, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Using a novel sequencing technique, the lab's research may lead to new insights into potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for treating this condition.

Dr. Christine M. Eischen's lab at Thomas Jefferson University focuses on studying oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a common and aggressive oral cancer. The research aims to uncover new vulnerabilities in OSCC, especially in cases where the tumor suppressor p53 is inactivated, to improve treatment methods. The lab is investigating a novel protein degrader that targets Mdm2, a protein essential for the survival of p53-null cancers, with the goal of increasing tumor immunogenicity and overcoming resistance to current therapies.

Dr. Richard T. Pomerantz leads a research lab at Thomas Jefferson University focused on DNA repair mechanisms, specifically those involving double-strand breaks and their implications in cancer therapy. His team's work includes developing targeted drugs for BRCA-deficient cancers and new treatments for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). They utilize innovative strategies to improve existing therapies and explore previously unrecognized DNA repair pathways.

Dr. Marja T Nevalainen's lab focuses on understanding and overcoming treatment resistance in advanced prostate cancer. The research specifically investigates how the Jak2 signaling pathway contributes to the persistent expression of androgen receptors in prostate cancer cells, which leads to disease progression despite existing therapies. By targeting Jak2 with new inhibitors, the lab aims to develop more effective treatments for patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer.