Dr. Christina Camell's lab at the University of Minnesota studies how aging affects the immune response to infections like sepsis, particularly focusing on adipose tissue, which is a type of fat tissue. They explore how inflammatory changes in this tissue contribute to older individuals being more susceptible to severe infections. Through their research, they aim to identify new ways to improve treatment and outcomes for elderly patients suffering from sepsis.

Dr. Silvia Mangia's lab focuses on understanding how brain function is affected by aging, specifically in relation to blood flow and metabolism. They develop and use innovative neuroimaging techniques to measure important brain metrics like oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, as well as pH, to see how these change in aging individuals. The goal is to uncover how these changes contribute to cognitive decline and to identify potential interventions for preserving brain health in older adults.

Dr. Michael Koob's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on developing advanced mouse models to better understand Alzheimer's Disease. By replacing mouse genes with their human counterparts, the lab aims to recreate the genetic and physiological aspects of Alzheimer's in a controllable laboratory setting. This research is important for identifying how specific genetic variations influence the disease and for developing new therapeutics.

Dr. Yuying Liang's research lab focuses on developing vaccines for new world arenaviruses, which can cause severe diseases like hemorrhagic fever in humans. Currently, there are no FDA-approved vaccines for these viruses, making this research critical for public health. By utilizing a non-pathogenic virus as a vector, the lab aims to create safe and effective vaccines that could provide broad protection against various arenaviruses found in South America.

Dr. Brady Atwood's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding how prenatal exposure to opioids, specifically methadone, affects brain circuits involved in alcohol behaviors. The research primarily uses a mouse model to investigate the differences between male and female offspring regarding their susceptibility to alcohol consumption. The lab aims to uncover the neural mechanisms that explain why males may be more affected by prenatal opioid exposure when it comes to drinking behaviors.

Dr. Magdalena Wojtczak's lab focuses on understanding how age and hearing loss affect our ability to process speech, especially in challenging listening environments. The lab uses advanced techniques to study brain responses to both speech and non-speech sounds, aiming to uncover the neural mechanisms behind communication difficulties in older adults. This research is essential for developing potential treatments and interventions for hearing-related issues that affect many people as they age.

Dr. Andrew J. Oxenham’s lab at the University of Minnesota explores how we perceive sounds, especially speech, in noisy environments. The research focuses on understanding the challenges faced by individuals with hearing loss, particularly older adults, to uncover the underlying mechanisms of auditory perception. By investigating how age and hearing loss affect the processing of sounds, the lab aims to improve diagnostic techniques and treatment options for better communication outcomes.

Dr. Steven Gene Friedenberg's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), a serious blood disorder that affects both dogs and humans. By studying the genetic and immunological factors in dogs, the lab aims to create a model system that can provide insights into the disease and help in developing new treatments that may benefit human patients as well.

Dr. Dongming Cai's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding the role of ApoE4, a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), particularly how it affects microglial function and neuroinflammation. The research aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind ApoE4-induced changes and their impact on AD pathology. Through various innovative approaches, including mouse models and human cell cultures, the lab seeks to identify new pathways that could lead to targeted therapies for Alzheimer's disease.

David D. Thomas's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on developing new drugs to treat skeletal muscle disorders by targeting the regulation of calcium within muscle cells. The team uses innovative fluorescent biosensors to identify small molecules that can correct dysfunctional calcium channels and pumps in muscle tissue. Their research aims to improve therapies for myopathies and other related diseases.

Dr. David J. Odde's laboratory focuses on engineering innovative solutions for improving cancer immunotherapy, particularly for challenging cancers like pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and glioblastoma. By developing a multiscale tumor simulator, this team predicts tumor dynamics and the interaction between cancer cells and immune cells, guiding the development of more effective immunotherapies. The lab combines expertise in biomedical engineering, immunology, and genetic engineering to create a robust platform for cancer research and treatment.

Dr. A David Redish's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding how mammals make decisions by studying the brain's action-selection systems. The research explores how different cognitive processes interact to influence behavior, specifically in the context of mental health disorders like OCD and addiction. By employing advanced neural recording techniques and computational analysis, the lab seeks to dissect the mechanisms that drive decision-making, particularly when internal goals conflict with external influences.

Dr. Wei Chen's lab focuses on developing advanced imaging techniques to study how energy metabolism in the brain changes in different health conditions. They use cutting-edge magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tools to explore how brain energy production and metabolism are affected by aging, neurological disorders, and tumors. The goal is to create non-invasive methods that can help us better understand and diagnose brain diseases.

Dr. Carla Rothlin's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding how to combat cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's Disease (AD). By studying specific molecules in immune cells of the brain called microglia, the lab aims to develop new therapeutic strategies that can enhance microglial function and potentially preserve cognitive health in mice models of AD. The research includes detailed examinations of genetic factors and molecular pathways that influence memory and learning in the context of the disease, with the hope of translating these findings into meaningful treatments for human patients.

Dr. Scott E. Cooper's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on improving treatment strategies for Parkinson's disease, particularly symptoms related to postural instability and gait disorders. By employing advanced brain imaging and computational modeling, the lab seeks to tailor deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapies to individual patients. This personalized approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of DBS by identifying and targeting specific neural pathways involved in these debilitating symptoms.

Dr. Carston R. Wagner's research lab focuses on developing new antiviral drugs specifically targeting the Dengue and Zika viruses, which pose significant public health threats worldwide. The lab is innovating a unique class of prodrugs known as AHA-ProTides, which promise better stability and oral bioavailability compared to current treatments. This work aims to provide effective therapy for these viral infections, which currently lack effective treatments.

Dr. Jutta M Ellermann's research lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on improving knee imaging techniques using advanced 7 Tesla (7T) MRI technology. The aim is to develop and optimize methods that will enhance the diagnosis and management of osteoarthritis, especially related to meniscal root tears. The lab combines engineering with biomedical research to explore the full capabilities of 7T MRI, which could significantly impact patient treatment and outcomes.

Dr. Esther Krook-Magnuson's lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding the brain's mechanisms involved in epilepsy, particularly how the cerebellum influences seizure activity. The lab is investigating the connections between the hippocampus and the supramammillary area, aiming to reveal how these brain regions interact and affect neurological functions. Their research has the potential to lead to new treatment strategies for temporal lobe epilepsy and other neurological disorders.

Dr. James M. Ervasti's lab focuses on understanding dystrophin and its role in muscle health, particularly in the context of muscular dystrophies such as Duchenne and Becker. Through innovative animal models and advanced techniques, the lab investigates how dystrophin interacts with microtubules and how its absence contributes to disease. The research aims to identify therapeutic strategies that could effectively replace dystrophin with miniaturized variants.

Brian T. Fife's research lab at the University of Minnesota focuses on understanding type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition causing the destruction of insulin-producing cells. The lab studies how a diverse microbial environment can influence immune responses, potentially protecting against or triggering diabetes. Additionally, the lab is innovating ways to engineer regulatory T cells (Tregs) to specifically target and suppress the autoimmune response associated with this disease, aiming to develop effective therapies.