Dr. Roy Wollman's lab at UCLA focuses on innovating methods to study the anatomy and function of organs using advanced imaging techniques. The lab is developing a groundbreaking approach called dredFISH, which allows researchers to map the gene expression of entire organs in 3D, moving beyond traditional 2D techniques. By creating detailed atlases of cell types and gene expression, this research has the potential to transform our understanding of biological structures and their functions.

Dr. Avishek Adhikari's lab at UCLA studies how specific brain cells regulate feeding behaviors. They focus on understanding the neural circuits that control food-seeking and consumption, especially in the context of disorders like obesity and anorexia. By investigating the role of GABAergic cells in the midbrain, the lab aims to uncover new insights that could lead to innovative treatments for eating disorders.

Dr. Tiffany Cheing Ho's research focuses on understanding the biological mechanisms related to depression in adolescents, especially why some young individuals do not respond to common antidepressant medications. By studying inflammatory responses and brain chemistry in depressed teens during social stress situations, her lab aims to identify factors that could help predict treatment outcomes. The ultimate goal is to develop better therapeutic approaches for adolescents struggling with depression that does not improve with standard treatments.

Dr. Jin Zhou's lab focuses on developing advanced statistical methods and computational tools to analyze large healthcare datasets, including electronic medical records and biobanks. The lab's research aims to improve understanding of disease progression and the associated risk factors, particularly in the context of personalized medicine. By leveraging big data, the lab is dedicated to enhancing disease management and facilitating early diagnosis.

The Dong lab at UCLA focuses on understanding how aging and Alzheimer's disease affect the brain at a cellular level. Using advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing and 3D mapping, we study specific types of brain cells in mice to uncover the changes that occur as these animals age or develop Alzheimer's. Our research aims to create detailed brain atlases that can help scientists worldwide study neurodegenerative diseases more effectively.

Dr. Patrick Allard's lab at UCLA focuses on how environmental chemicals, particularly arsenic, affect the epigenome, which is crucial for gene expression and development. The research aims to uncover how arsenic influences DNA methylation and histone modification, leading to heritable changes over generations. By studying mouse models, the lab hopes to shed light on the mechanisms behind these changes, which may have implications for understanding environmental impacts on health.

Dr. Timothy S. Chang's lab at UCLA focuses on improving the identification of Alzheimer's disease (AD), especially in underrepresented groups such as Hispanic/Latino and African American populations. The lab uses electronic health records and advanced machine learning techniques to analyze disease trajectories and genetic data. By understanding how different diseases accumulate over time, the team aims to find individuals with undiagnosed AD and reduce health disparities in diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Baljit Khakh's lab at UCLA focuses on the role of astrocytes, a type of brain cell, in understanding brain functions and diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease. The lab investigates how astrocytes interact with neurons and other brain cells within neural circuits to maintain brain health and how these processes can become dysfunctional in conditions like aging and Alzheimer’s. By examining protein changes in these cells, the lab aims to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for neurological diseases.

Dr. Keriann Marie Backus leads a research lab at UCLA focused on developing advanced techniques to discover new cancer drug targets. Her work emphasizes the use of chemoproteomics, a method that utilizes mass spectrometry to identify proteins that can be targeted by cysteine-reactive drugs. By improving screening methods and enhancing the detection of functionally relevant cysteines, her lab aims to facilitate the discovery of powerful new therapeutics for precision cancer treatment.

Dr. Aparna Bhaduri's research lab at UCLA focuses on understanding how the human brain develops, particularly the processes that determine the specific types of cells formed in different brain areas. By studying how these processes go awry in conditions like neurodevelopmental disorders, the lab aims to improve models for brain development and potentially find new approaches to treat these disorders.

Dr. James Bisley's lab at UCLA focuses on understanding how specific brain areas control eye movements during visual tasks. They are particularly interested in how different regions of the brain, such as the frontal eye field and the lateral intraparietal area, interact to guide our gaze and help us search our environment effectively. Their research aims to clarify the roles of these areas which may ultimately help improve treatment options for patients with neurological disorders that affect vision and movement.

Dr. Bennett Novitch's lab at UCLA focuses on understanding human brain development and disorders using advanced models called brain organoids. These organoids are engineered from human stem cells to mimic brain structures, allowing researchers to study how genetic mutations and environmental factors impact brain function. By examining the neural networks within these organoids, the lab aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders like Rett syndrome and explore potential treatments.

Dr. Bridget L Callaghan's lab at UCLA investigates how early life experiences, particularly moving up from poverty, affect cognitive health and Alzheimer's Disease risk later in life. The research focuses on understanding how stress related to social mobility impacts brain health, especially in young women. By examining inflammation, gut microbiome changes, and cognitive outcomes, the lab aims to uncover the complex relationships between socioeconomic status, health, and brain function.

Professor Stephen C. Cannon's research lab at UCLA focuses on understanding a rare condition called hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HypoPP), which leads to sudden muscle weakness. The lab investigates how specific genetic mutations affect muscle function and explores new treatment options, including pharmacological interventions and gene editing techniques. Their work aims to improve the quality of life for individuals affected by this condition and to find more effective ways to manage and potentially prevent muscle weakness associated with it.

Dr. David A. Nathanson's lab at UCLA focuses on understanding and exploiting novel mechanisms of cell death in glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain tumor. The lab is particularly interested in a newly identified type of cell death called palmoptosis, which could offer a new approach to treating glioblastoma by overcoming the cancer's resistance to traditional therapies. Through investigating the molecular and metabolic characteristics of glioblastoma, the lab aims to identify potential therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Feng Guo's lab focuses on discovering new cancer drugs that target specific RNA structures involved in cancer development. By using advanced techniques in crystallography, the lab aims to identify small molecules that can inhibit harmful RNA called microRNAs, which contribute to cancer. Their innovative approach could lead to breakthroughs in cancer treatment by designing therapies that are more effective and targeted.

Peter Michael Clark's lab at UCLA focuses on improving how we understand cancer through advanced imaging techniques. They specifically study how different cancer cells absorb a radioactive glucose analog used in PET scans, aiming to identify unique subpopulations of cells that may respond differently to treatments. By developing innovative technology to measure this absorption at the single-cell level, the lab hopes to enhance the accuracy of cancer diagnoses and treatment evaluations.

Dr. Stephanie Correa's lab at UCLA focuses on how brain circuits influence eating behaviors, especially regarding sex differences. Her research investigates how specific neurons in the hypothalamus interact with hormones like estradiol to regulate appetite. By studying these neural pathways, the lab aims to unravel the complex mechanisms linking hormonal regulation and feeding, which is crucial for addressing issues like obesity and eating disorders, particularly in women.

Dr. Gay M. Crooks' research lab at UCLA focuses on understanding how T cells are developed in the thymus, an organ crucial for producing immune cells. The lab studies both the cellular processes and the genetic factors, like the BCL11B gene, that influence T cell development, especially from pluripotent stem cells. They also explore the role of lymphatic vasculature in the thymus during its early development, aiming to improve T cell immunotherapies for cancer treatment and enhance immune function.

Dr. Kenneth Lange's lab focuses on developing computational tools to analyze large datasets in the biomedical field, particularly genomics and medical imaging. They work on creating new algorithms and statistical methods to tackle challenges posed by vast amounts of data, such as parameter estimation and model selection. This research aims to improve how we understand and utilize big data in health science, addressing issues like data accuracy and complexity.