Dr. Yongjie Yang's lab at Tufts University studies the role of glial cells in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, they investigate how astrocytes, a type of glial cell, contribute to conditions like Fragile X Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease. The research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms influencing behavior and immune responses in these diseases.

Dr. Chris G. Dulla's lab at Tufts University focuses on understanding how astrocytes, a type of brain cell, change as we age and in conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The lab has identified a new type of astrocyte called atypical astrocytes (AtAs) that lose important functions, which might contribute to neurological issues. They are exploring how vascular health and blood-brain barrier integrity relate to these changes and how they affect overall brain function during aging and disease.

Dr. Alexander Poltorak's lab at Tufts University studies how the body responds to bacterial infections, specifically focusing on a protein called ZBP1. They explore how ZBP1 influences cell death and inflammation in response to lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which are components of bacterial cell membranes. Their research aims to uncover new pathways in the immune response and identify potential therapeutic targets to improve treatments for infections.

Igor Sokolov's lab at Tufts University focuses on developing noninvasive diagnostic techniques for bladder cancer using advanced imaging and machine learning. The lab aims to create a test that analyzes the physical characteristics of individual cells from urine samples, potentially improving cancer detection and patient comfort by reducing the need for invasive procedures. This research seeks to enhance early detection methods not only for bladder cancer but also for other cancers that can be diagnosed through bodily fluids.

Dr. Cheryl A. London's lab at Tufts University focuses on improving cancer therapies through innovative research involving dogs. The lab works on enhancing the immune response in canine osteosarcoma by activating dendritic cells and also investigates clonal hematopoiesis in dogs to understand its implications for cancer treatment. Through clinical trials and the study of immune responses, the research aims to translate findings from canine models to improve human cancer therapies.

The Scheck lab at Tufts University focuses on understanding how chemical modifications of proteins, specifically glycation and ubiquitination, impact cellular functions and contribute to diseases like cancer and diabetes. By developing innovative tools to study these modifications in living cells, the lab aims to uncover new therapeutic targets for addressing age-related disorders and other health issues. Their research combines advanced chemical biology techniques with a deep understanding of cellular signaling networks.

Dr. John M Coffin's lab at Tufts University focuses on studying human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) and their potential to inhibit HIV replication. The lab aims to understand how certain HERVs can block viral assembly and explore their evolutionary history. Overall, the research seeks innovative strategies for preventing HIV infections through the activation of these natural viral inhibitors.

Dr. Madeleine Oudin's research lab focuses on two main areas: tackling pediatric epilepsy through innovative therapies and exploring the role of nerves in cancer metastasis. The lab investigates how specific genetic mutations affect sodium channels in the brain and how the neuronal identity of tumors influences their growth and spread. By understanding these biological mechanisms, the lab aims to develop new, effective treatments for epilepsy and cancer.

Dr. Ekaterina Heldwein's lab at Tufts University studies how herpesviruses exit the nucleus of infected cells to spread and cause disease. The team focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of virus membrane budding and fusion, particularly looking at proteins involved in these processes. Their research has implications for developing better vaccines and treatments for viral infections, especially in vulnerable populations.

Dr. Linden T. Hu's lab investigates the complex factors that contribute to persistent symptoms following Lyme disease treatment, known as Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS). The lab employs a comprehensive approach, bringing together experts to study immune responses, bacterial behaviors, and other elements that may play a role in the disease. This research aims to uncover why some patients continue to experience symptoms and to develop better diagnostic tools and treatments for Lyme disease.

Dr. John J. Iacomini's lab at Tufts University focuses on understanding how microRNAs regulate gene expression and influence kidney transplant rejection. By studying these small RNA molecules, the lab aims to uncover the mechanisms behind chronic antibody-mediated rejection, which is a leading cause of transplant failure. Their research involves a combination of advanced techniques to map interactions between microRNAs and their target mRNAs, providing insights that could improve the success rates of kidney transplants.

The Kritzer lab at Tufts University focuses on developing new therapeutic methods to combat late-stage cancers. Their research revolves around inhibiting autophagy, a process that degrades proteins within cells, which can be detrimental when cancers use it to survive. They are creating novel inhibitors and chimeras to selectively target and degrade key proteins involved in this process. Additionally, the lab is working to improve how large-molecule drugs penetrate cells to enhance their effectiveness.

Dr. Sameer R. Sonkusale leads a research lab at Tufts University focused on the development of innovative biomedical devices. Their current project involves creating a tiny ingestible micro-pill designed to non-invasively sample content from specific parts of the gastrointestinal tract. This technology aims to improve our understanding of gut microbiota and its implications for health and nutrition, ultimately aiding in the development of personalized dietary recommendations.

Dr. Sergei Mirkin's lab at Tufts University investigates how certain DNA structures, specifically repeating sequences, can lead to genetic disorders and cancers. His research focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind repeat expansions that cause over fifty hereditary diseases, including various neurodegenerative disorders. By uncovering these mechanisms, the lab aims to contribute valuable insights into both basic biology and potential medical treatments.

Dr. Charles R Mace's lab at Tufts University focuses on developing innovative tools for collecting and processing blood samples, especially for patients who need regular health monitoring without the hassle of hospital visits. Their work is aimed at enhancing healthcare access by creating user-friendly devices that allow for safe self-collection of blood samples at home, which can then be easily mailed to labs. This research not only seeks to improve patient experience but also aims to support advancements in telemedicine and healthcare equity.

The Peyton lab at Tufts University focuses on how the stiffness of the environment influences cell behavior and evolution. By studying cells grown on different materials, they aim to understand how mechanical properties can lead to genetic changes in cell populations. This research is particularly important for developing better treatments for diseases like cancer, where cell motility and growth can impact disease progression.

Joan C. Mecsas's lab focuses on understanding how bacterial pathogens manipulate immune cells to evade responses during infections. The research particularly looks at neutrophils, which are crucial for fighting infections, and specialized intestinal cells called M cells, which help trigger immune responses. By investigating how the bacterium Yersinia pseudotuberculosis interacts with these cells, the lab aims to uncover new strategies to enhance immune responses and combat diseases caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria.

Dr. Megan Kiely Mueller's lab at Tufts University focuses on understanding how relationships between adolescents and their pet dogs can help young people cope with social anxiety. By exploring the specific dynamics of these relationships, the lab aims to develop effective strategies to support teenagers struggling with mental health issues. The research includes extensive observation and analysis of both behavioral and physiological responses in youth as they interact with their dogs.

Dr. Stephen J. Moss's lab at Tufts University focuses on understanding how neuroactive steroids affect brain function, particularly through a family of receptors known as G-protein coupled receptors. These steroids can influence behavior and may offer new treatments for mental health issues like postpartum depression. The lab uses various techniques to explore how these compounds mediate their effects on neuronal excitability and might lead to innovative strategies for improving mental health.

Dr. Brian Lin's research lab at Tufts University focuses on understanding how our sense of smell declines with age. They have developed a new model that mimics accelerated aging in the olfactory epithelium, which could pave the way for finding treatments for age-related smell disorders like anosmia. The lab aims to explore the mechanisms behind this decline and test potential therapies to restore olfactory function.