Dr. Stacey Gilk's lab focuses on understanding how the bacterium Coxiella burnetii survives and thrives in acidic environments within infected human cells. This research is crucial for developing new treatments for Q fever, a disease caused by this pathogen, which can lead to severe health issues. By investigating the mechanisms that allow this bacteria to regulate its internal pH and survive under stress, the lab aims to identify potential new therapeutic targets for chronic infections.

Dr. Aditya N Bade's research lab at the University of Nebraska Medical Center focuses on understanding the effects of antiretroviral drugs, particularly during pregnancy. The lab investigates how these drugs might impact neurodevelopment and placental health in both the mother and fetus, especially in the context of co-exposure to substances like nicotine. Their goal is to find safer medication strategies that improve health outcomes for pregnant women living with HIV.

Dr. Rebekah L. Gundry's lab focuses on understanding the intricate world of cell surface proteins and sugars in relation to heart disease and stem cell biology. The research emphasizes using advanced technologies to analyze these molecules to improve stem cell therapies for heart conditions. By identifying specific markers and characterizing cardiac cells, the lab aims to create innovative strategies that enhance patient care for heart failure.

Benson Edagwa's lab focuses on creating innovative, long-acting drug formulations for the treatment of pediatric patients with HIV-1. Their main goal is to develop a six-month injectable antiretroviral therapy that improves adherence to treatment. By using advanced drug delivery methods, they aim to overcome the limitations of daily oral therapies, making it easier for children to receive life-saving HIV treatment.

Dr. Paul D. Fey's lab focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which certain bacteria, specifically Staphylococcus species, adhere to human skin. Although some of these bacteria can cause infections, many also play beneficial roles by preventing other pathogens from colonizing the skin. The lab's research seeks to reveal how these bacteria interact with skin cells, which could lead to new treatments for infections.

Dr. Howard Fox's lab focuses on understanding how HIV and opioid use affect the brain on a cellular level. They use advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing to examine how these factors interact and influence various brain cells. This research helps uncover important information about the neurological implications of HIV and drug abuse, with the potential to improve treatments and outcomes for affected individuals.

Dr. Howard E. Gendelman's research lab focuses on innovative approaches to combat HIV through targeted therapies. They are developing lipid nanoparticles that can deliver gene therapies specifically to HIV-infected cells, aiming to eliminate hidden viral reservoirs. The lab also investigates the effects of HIV on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's, using specially designed animal models to understand the interplay between viral infection and brain health.

Dr. Santhi Gorantla's lab at the University of Nebraska Medical Center focuses on understanding how HIV-1 persists in the central nervous system and how it can be attacked using new therapies. The lab studies immune cells that harbor the virus, particularly in the brain, to find out how drug use affects HIV's presence and the development of related neurological disorders. By using a specially developed mouse model that mimics human biology, the lab aims to develop strategies to eliminate HIV-1 from these reservoirs and improve treatment outcomes for patients.

Dr. Siddappa N Byrareddy's lab at the University of Nebraska Medical Center focuses on understanding how substances like cocaine and cannabinoids influence the immune response and disease progression in HIV and related infections. They study the gut-brain connection and how factors like sex differences affect viral reservoirs and inflammation in the brain and intestines. The goal is to find better therapies for managing HIV/SIV and other chronic inflammatory conditions.

Dr. Moorthy P. Ponnusamy's lab at the University of Nebraska Medical Center focuses on understanding how specific sugar molecules on proteins, called truncated O-glycans, affect the spread of pancreatic cancer. They investigate how these sugar alterations influence cancer behavior and contribute to the aggressive nature of the disease. Their work aims to develop potential new treatments by manipulating these sugar structures.

Dr. Shilpa J Buch's lab at the University of Nebraska Medical Center focuses on understanding how HIV and substance abuse like cocaine affect the brain. Their research investigates the role of immune cells in the brain, especially how these cells respond to HIV proteins and drugs, leading to inflammation and cognitive decline. By studying processes like ferritinophagy, they aim to develop new treatments to improve brain health for people living with HIV and addiction.

Dr. Caroline L Ng's lab studies malaria, particularly the mechanisms behind resistance to artemisinin, a key treatment for this disease. They investigate how the proteasome, a protein degradation system, affects the survival of malaria parasites under drug pressure. By understanding these processes at a molecular level, the lab aims to develop new therapeutic strategies to combat artemisinin-resistant malaria and improve treatment outcomes.

Dr. Rebecca E Oberley-Deegan's lab focuses on enhancing the safety and efficacy of radiation therapy for rectal cancer. The primary research investigates a novel antioxidant drug, BMX-001, which aims to protect normal tissues from damage while targeting cancer cells. The lab conducts preclinical studies and clinical trials to assess BMX-001's protective effects and identify biomarkers for radiation damage.

Dr. Tammy Kielian's lab focuses on understanding how immune cells, particularly T cells, interact with the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus during infections that can occur after brain surgeries like craniotomies. The lab investigates how these immune responses can both help and hinder the body's ability to eliminate biofilms formed by this bacteria, aiming to improve treatments for infections that can lead to serious complications.

Dr. Kuan-Hua Chen's lab at the University of Nebraska Medical Center focuses on Alzheimer's disease and how relationships with family members, especially spouses, can impact the disease's progression. They study how connectedness between patients and their caregivers might slow down the early stages of Alzheimer's. The lab employs various methods, including observations, wearable technologies, and interviews, to gain insights into these dynamics.

Dr. Palsamy Periyasamy's lab at the University Of Nebraska Medical Center focuses on understanding the effects of HIV and methamphetamine on brain inflammation. They study how these substances activate astrocyte-specific inflammasomes, which are important for brain health. The ultimate aim is to identify new therapeutic targets to reduce neuroinflammation in individuals affected by HIV and drug abuse, improving their cognitive function and overall well-being.

Dr. Rey A Carabeo's lab at the University of Nebraska Medical Center studies the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which causes infections and relies on host cells for nutrients. The lab focuses on understanding how this pathogen regulates its metabolic processes, specifically the tryptophan biosynthesis pathway, to survive in different environments. They investigate gene expression regulation, aiming to uncover new insights into the bacterial adaptation mechanisms in response to nutrient availability.