Dr. Riqiang Yan's lab focuses on understanding the role of the enzyme BACE1 in Alzheimer's disease, particularly how inhibiting this enzyme in glial cells might help reduce harmful amyloid and tau pathologies in the brain. The lab conducts experiments using transgenic mouse models to explore innovative treatments that enhance the immune response of microglia, which are crucial for clearing out these toxic substances. The ultimate goal is to develop safer therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's patients.

Dr. Beiyan Zhou's lab focuses on understanding how type 2 diabetes (T2DM) increases the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). By using innovative computational programs and biological tools, the lab investigates the mechanisms that lead to elevated ASCVD risk in T2DM patients. The goal is to develop predictive models and potential treatment options that can better manage ASCVD risks in individuals with T2DM.

Dr. Stephen M. King's lab at the University of Connecticut focuses on the biology of motile cilia, which are tiny hair-like structures that help cells move and communicate. They conduct research using the green alga Chlamydomonas to understand how cilia are formed, how they beat, and how they release signals that affect other cells. The lab aims to discover new mechanisms involved in ciliary movement and the role of peptide signals in cell interactions, which are important for proper human development and health.

Dr. Byoung-Il Bae's laboratory focuses on understanding how the human brain develops, particularly the large and folded areas of the cerebral cortex that are different in humans compared to mice. They investigate the role of a gene called ASPM, which when lost leads to brain disorders like microcephaly. Using innovative animal models such as ferrets and advanced technologies, their research aims to reveal how unique developmental processes in gyrencephalic mammals contribute to human brain health and disease.

Dr. Amy A Gorin's lab focuses on developing and optimizing mobile health (mHealth) interventions aimed at weight management for couples. Recognizing that weight issues often affect both partners in a relationship, the lab's research emphasizes a collaborative approach to encourage successful behavior changes. The team employs innovative techniques, grounded in social psychology, to test various strategies that can effectively support couples on their weight loss journey.

Dr. Kimberly L Dodge-Kafka's lab at the University of Connecticut focuses on understanding how specific calcium signaling pathways contribute to heart conditions, particularly cardiac hypertrophy. The lab is investigating how calcium microdomains affect signaling in heart cells and aims to develop new treatments for heart disease by targeting these pathways. Their research emphasizes the role of certain protein complexes in regulating calcium signals that can lead to heart remodeling and failure.

Dr. Anna Tarakanova's research focuses on understanding the structure and mechanics of elastin, a protein that allows arteries to stretch and recoil, providing efficient blood circulation. By investigating how aging and disease impact elastin's properties, her lab aims to develop new strategies for preventing and treating cardiovascular issues. The research combines advanced modeling techniques and experimental approaches to uncover the connections between molecular structure and function in arterial tissues.

Dr. Daniele Fabris and his lab at the University of Connecticut focus on developing new techniques for analyzing large, modified RNA molecules using mass spectrometry. They aim to overcome current challenges in identifying RNA modifications, which are crucial for understanding emerging biotherapeutics and the regulation of gene expression. Their work involves advanced methods like deoxyribozyme assembly and capillary electrophoresis to improve RNA analysis.

Dr. Christine R. Beck's lab at the University of Connecticut focuses on understanding how repetitive sequences in mammalian genomes contribute to genetic variation and stability. Through the study of transposable elements and structural rearrangements, the lab explores their effects on gene regulation and the mechanisms that protect the genome from instability. This research is particularly relevant for uncovering the genetic basis of diseases such as cancer, stemming from genomic instability.

Dr. Stephen J. Crocker's research focuses on understanding the immune system's role in globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD), a severe genetic brain disorder. His lab investigates how CD8 T cells contribute to the disease's progression and pathology, utilizing mouse models and advanced genetic techniques. The aim is to uncover potential therapeutic targets to better manage or treat this devastating condition that currently lacks effective interventions.

Dr. Se-Jin Lee's lab focuses on understanding how certain proteins regulate bone density and muscle growth. By using genetic and biochemical techniques, the team investigates complex signaling pathways, aiming to develop clinical strategies to treat conditions like bone loss and muscle wasting. The lab's work could lead to new therapies that enhance bone strength and improve muscle function.

Dr. Changchun Liu's research lab focuses on developing innovative methods for HIV viral load testing using CRISPR technology. The lab aims to create a rapid and cost-effective diagnostic tool that can be used in resource-limited settings, addressing the urgent need for accessible HIV testing. This work combines advanced biomedical engineering techniques with molecular biology to improve public health outcomes related to HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Yi Zhang's lab at the University of Connecticut Storrs focuses on improving our understanding of mental disorders through advanced neurochemical monitoring techniques. By developing a wireless neural probe that can sample multiple neuropeptides and conduct pharmacological stimulation in freely moving animals, the lab aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms that drive various behavioral outputs in the brain. This innovative approach seeks to enhance the precision of neurochemical measurements in real-time, potentially leading to better treatment strategies for mental health conditions.

Dr. Kenneth R. Pugh's lab focuses on understanding how the brain changes during reading instruction, particularly for children who struggle with reading. By using advanced imaging techniques, the lab investigates which neurobiological factors contribute to successful learning outcomes and why some children do not respond well to traditional reading interventions. Their research aims to improve educational strategies by tailoring them to the individual neurocognitive profiles of children.

Dr. Joel Pachter's lab focuses on understanding meningeal ectopic lymphoid tissues (mELTs), which are clusters of immune cells that appear in the brains of patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Their research seeks to explore how these structures contribute to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration during MS. By utilizing advanced imaging and transcriptomic techniques, the lab aims to uncover the cellular composition and gene expression patterns of mELTs to identify new therapeutic targets for treating MS.

Dr. Zhao-Wen Wang's lab at the University of Connecticut focuses on understanding how certain proteins interact with potassium channels to affect sleep and neurotransmitter release. Their research utilizes a model organism, C. elegans, to uncover how a specific type of potassium channel, called the BK channel, works in the nervous system. They explore the role of melatonin in this process, aiming to reveal important cellular pathways that could impact our understanding of sleep regulation and related disorders.

The lab led by Dr. Carolyn Teschke focuses on understanding how viruses, specifically bacteriophages, assemble and interact with their host cells. By studying the assembly process of the P22 bacteriophage, the research aims to reveal critical details about viral protein interactions and the mechanisms employed by viruses during infection. This work has significant implications for developing new antiviral therapies and improving our understanding of virus-host dynamics.

The research lab of Dr. Royce Mohan at the University of Connecticut focuses on understanding injuries to the cornea caused by chemical agents like sulfur mustard. They investigate the molecular changes that occur in response to these injuries, particularly how specific proteins are modified and how sensory nerve cells in the cornea are affected. This research aims to identify new biological markers and targets for improving recovery from such damage.

Dr. Elsio Augusto Wunder's lab at the University of Connecticut focuses on developing a universal vaccine for leptospirosis, an infectious disease that affects both humans and animals. The lab is particularly interested in identifying protective immune responses against various strains of the disease-causing bacteria, Leptospira spp. They aim to create a vaccine that can effectively prevent this neglected tropical disease, which poses significant health risks in both developing and urban populations.

Dr. Nicole Landi's research focuses on understanding reading disabilities in children, particularly how to predict which students will benefit most from reading interventions. By collecting behavioral and neurobiological data from students undergoing reading interventions in their schools, her lab aims to determine the factors that influence learning outcomes. This innovative approach combines neuroscience with educational practices to improve reading skills and overall academic success for children with reading disabilities.