The lab led by Liou Sun at the University of Alabama at Birmingham focuses on understanding the role of ceramide signaling in aging and age-related diseases. By using mouse models, the lab investigates how growth hormone deficiency impacts longevity and healthspan. Their work aims to uncover potential therapeutic interventions that could improve health during aging and combat diseases associated with aging, like tauopathies.

Dr. Bernadette Marquez-Nostra's lab focuses on improving cancer treatment response for patients with aggressive forms of breast and lung cancer. By developing advanced imaging techniques, the lab aims to better understand how new bispecific antibodies work to target cancer cells. This research hopes to make it easier for doctors to identify which patients will benefit most from these therapies, potentially transforming treatment approaches for cancer.

Dr. J. Victor Garcia-Martinez's lab focuses on understanding the effects of cannabinoids on HIV infection, particularly in the brain, and developing gene and cell therapies for curing HIV. The research explores how substances like cannabis can modulate immune responses in people living with HIV and aims to improve therapeutic strategies to eliminate the virus from reservoirs within the body.

Dr. Jianyi Zhang's research focuses on understanding how heart cells can grow and repair themselves after injuries, like those caused by heart attacks. His lab studies various biological processes that allow these cells to re-enter the cycle of growth, with the goal of developing new therapies to regenerate heart tissue. By exploring innovative techniques such as genetic engineering and advanced cell culture methods, they aim to create solutions that could one day improve outcomes for heart patients.

Dr. Shu G. Chen's lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is focused on finding accurate ways to diagnose neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. They are developing innovative tests using skin samples to detect biomarkers associated with these conditions before symptoms become severe. The goal is to improve patient care through early diagnosis, which can lead to better treatment options.

Dr. Gino Cingolani's lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham focuses on understanding how specific signaling proteins called STAT1 and STAT3 function in the body, especially in relation to innate immunity and in disease states. The lab also investigates how viruses deliver their genetic material into cells, exploring both bacterial viruses and herpesviruses. Research in this lab combines cutting-edge techniques to visualize and analyze these complex biological processes, potentially leading to new therapies for infectious diseases and immune disorders.

Dr. Erik D Roberson's lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham focuses on understanding how disruptions in circadian rhythms affect brain function in relation to Alzheimer's disease. They investigate how changes in neuronal excitability, particularly in certain inhibitory neurons, may contribute to the disease's early stages. Through innovative techniques, the lab aims to uncover mechanisms linking circadian biology with cognitive impairment and develop potential therapeutic strategies.

Dr. Jeremy H. Herskowitz runs a research lab focused on understanding how some individuals can maintain cognitive function despite having Alzheimer's disease pathology in their brains. The lab aims to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms that contribute to this resilience and discover potential therapeutic targets for delaying or preventing dementia. By studying brain regions and synaptic health, they hope to pave the way for new treatments that improve cognitive function in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Jeremy J. Day's lab studies how substances like cocaine affect the brain, particularly in regions linked to reward and motivation. They focus on understanding the roles of specific proteins, Gadd45b and Reelin, in altering gene expression and behavior when exposed to drugs. By exploring these molecular mechanisms, the lab aims to uncover new therapeutic targets for addiction treatment and enhance our understanding of motivated behavior disorders.

Dr. Sylvie Mrug's lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham focuses on understanding how early life stress impacts health outcomes across different age groups, particularly in Black populations. The research examines the biological mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, that may contribute to chronic diseases and health disparities. By studying individuals from early childhood to young adulthood, the lab aims to identify protective factors that can mitigate these effects and potentially improve health outcomes.

Dr. Elizabeth E. Brown's lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham focuses on understanding how epigenetic changes in DNA influence the risk of developing certain blood disorders, particularly Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) and Multiple Myeloma (MM). By studying the DNA methylome, the lab aims to uncover biological markers linked to these conditions, which disproportionately affect African Americans. This research has the potential to improve clinical strategies for monitoring and managing these diseases.

The Miller Lab focuses on developing new human glioma models to enhance precision treatment for brain tumors. They use advanced techniques to understand how these tumors function and resist therapies, helping to create targeted drug strategies. By collaborating with experts in various fields, the lab aims to improve options for patients suffering from gliomas, which are the most common and deadly brain cancer.

Dr. Hui Hu's research lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham focuses on understanding how CD4+ T cells, which are crucial for our immune responses, differentiate into various types, including memory cells. This lab studies the complex genetic and molecular processes that govern these cells' development, especially how they form during initial immune responses and later evolve into specialized types that help fight infections. Their work has significant implications for vaccine development and the treatment of immune-related diseases.

Dr. Casey T. Weaver's lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham focuses on understanding how the immune system protects the intestines, particularly in the context of inflammatory bowel disease and neonatal health. The lab investigates the roles of specialized immune cells and cytokines in defending against harmful bacteria, maintaining intestinal health, and preventing infections in early life. Their research aims to uncover new treatment strategies for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and late-onset sepsis in neonates.

Dr. Peter H. King’s lab focuses on understanding and potentially treating inflammation caused by ischemic strokes, which are a significant cause of death and disability. The team investigates a molecule called HuR that plays a role in promoting inflammation in the brain after a stroke. By inhibiting HuR, they aim to reduce inflammation and enhance neuroprotection to improve recovery outcomes for stroke patients, ultimately contributing to better management of strokes and related neurological diseases.

Dr. Bruce Korf's lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham focuses on diagnosing rare and chronic diseases in patients who have not been able to find answers through traditional medical avenues. The lab employs advanced genetics techniques, including genome sequencing, to identify underlying causes of these conditions. They also leverage innovative tools like artificial intelligence and telemedicine to enhance diagnostic efficiency and broaden access to necessary evaluations.

Dr. Natalia Kedishvili's lab focuses on understanding how specific enzymes influence inflammation in the lungs through their interactions with lipid mediators known as oxylipins. The research explores how the enzyme DHRS9 affects the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signals, which is important for healing injuries and controlling inflammatory responses. By studying this enzyme, the lab aims to uncover potential new treatments for inflammatory diseases of the lungs.

Dr. William M Marsiglia's lab focuses on understanding how a key protein called AKT becomes activated and interacts with other proteins in both healthy and diseased cells. They use advanced imaging techniques to visualize these processes in real time, which can provide insights into diseases and help identify new treatment targets. The research aims to enhance our understanding of cellular functions related to growth and metabolism and how they are impacted by various diseases.

Dr. Bryan W. Luikart's lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham focuses on understanding the role of the PTEN gene in neuron development and its implications for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). By studying how PTEN dysfunction affects neuronal growth and synaptic connections, the research aims to uncover potential new treatment approaches for ASD. The lab employs innovative genetic techniques to explore these crucial aspects of neurobiology that influence cognitive and emotional functions.

Dr. Zdenek Hel's lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham focuses on understanding how specific types of immune cells called neutrophils contribute to liver and gastrointestinal diseases in individuals infected with HIV-1. Their research primarily investigates the role of dysregulated neutrophil populations and their activation in disease progression, aiming to uncover potential therapeutic targets for treatment.