Dr. Vijay Sharma's lab focuses on developing advanced PET imaging techniques to investigate the role of oxidative stress and inflammation in various diseases, particularly neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. The research aims to create novel imaging agents that can help visualize cellular processes related to mitochondrial function and response to treatments. By utilizing these new imaging tools, the lab hopes to enhance early diagnosis and improve the management of chronic diseases.

Dr. Yuan-Chuan Tai's lab focuses on developing advanced imaging technologies to enhance targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies for cancer treatment. Their innovative projects aim to create systems that allow for improved visualization and quantification of therapeutic agents within the body, thereby optimizing personalized medicine approaches. This research can lead to significant advancements in how therapies are administered and monitored, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Dr. Song Hu's lab at Washington University focuses on developing advanced imaging techniques to study diseases like myofascial pain, Alzheimer's disease, and stroke. The lab creates innovative tools for tracking brain and muscle function over time, helping to identify the mechanisms behind these conditions, and developing new therapies. Ultimately, their research aims to improve diagnosis and treatment options for neurological and pain disorders.

Dr. Geoffrey D Hugo's lab at Washington University focuses on improving the safety and performance of artificial intelligence (AI) systems used in radiation oncology. The team is developing innovative quality assurance frameworks to monitor and ensure that AI systems function correctly in clinical settings. Their research addresses challenges posed by changing data distributions in medical imaging, aiming to enhance the clinical implementation of AI technologies.

Jessica Mozersky's lab at Washington University focuses on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) research, particularly on how to effectively communicate biomarker results to older adults. The lab is exploring new blood tests that identify preclinical AD and evaluating safe and understandable methods for returning these results to participants. This is crucial in the context of emerging treatments for AD, aiming to enhance engagement and compliance among older adults.

Dr. Joanna Jankowsky's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding the diverse biological mechanisms that contribute to the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease. By using specialized mouse models that express amyloid precursor protein in different types of neurons, the lab investigates how these variations influence amyloid plaque formation and the subsequent effects on cognitive function. The goal is to uncover the relationship between neuron behavior and Alzheimer's disease pathology, which may lead to improved therapeutic strategies.

Dr. Randall J. Bateman's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding and diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease (AD) through innovative blood tests and longitudinal studies. The lab is part of the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN), which gathers essential data from individuals at high risk for AD, allowing researchers to track disease progression and develop new preventive strategies. By studying biomarkers like amyloid and tau in blood samples, the lab aims to improve early detection methods and inform future clinical trials for new Alzheimer's therapies.

Dr. John Cirrito's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding how synaptic activity in the brain impacts the formation and aggregation of amyloid-beta, a critical component involved in Alzheimer's disease. By using specialized technologies to monitor these processes in real-time, the lab aims to determine how different types of neurons contribute to amyloid-beta production and aggregation, potentially leading to new insights for developing therapies against Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Gaya K. Amarasinghe's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding how certain viruses, specifically bunyaviruses and filoviruses, interact with their host cells to cause disease. This research aims to identify the key proteins and pathways involved in viral entry and pathogenesis, which could lead to the development of new therapeutics against these emerging infectious diseases. The lab combines techniques from biochemistry, virology, and molecular biology to explore these interactions in detail.

Dr. Michael L Gross's research group at Washington University focuses on understanding the aggregation of amyloid proteins, particularly in relation to Alzheimer's disease. By utilizing advanced techniques like mass spectrometry and protein footprinting, the lab investigates how these proteins misfold and interact with each other and lipids, honing in on potential therapeutic targets. This innovative approach aims to uncover the complexities of protein behavior in neurodegenerative conditions, contributing valuable insights to the field of neurological research.

Jessica Wagenseil's lab focuses on the study of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms, which are dangerous cardiovascular conditions. The lab combines animal models, advanced computational techniques, and patient imaging data to identify potential biomarkers that can predict the failure of aneurysms. By examining a mouse model and utilizing complex simulations, the team aims to improve assessment and treatment strategies for patients at risk of aortic dissection or rupture.

Dr. Bhooma Aravamuthan's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding and treating dystonia, a movement disorder that often affects children born prematurely. The research explores how injuries in the brain's cortex, specifically involving a type of neuron called parvalbumin-positive interneurons, contribute to dystonia. By using innovative mouse models, the lab aims to identify predictive markers of dystonia and develop potential new therapies targeting these cortical neurons to improve treatment outcomes.

Dr. Steven Van Dyken's research lab focuses on understanding the immune responses involved in atopic dermatitis, a common skin condition characterized by allergic inflammation and intense itching. The lab investigates the role of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in activating specific immune cells called basophils and group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), which produce key inflammatory cytokines. By using mouse models and advanced techniques like spatial transcriptomics, the lab aims to uncover how IL-18 influences skin inflammation and itch, with the ultimate goal of identifying new therapeutic approaches.

Dr. Gregory Wu's lab at Washington University focuses on finding innovative immunotherapies for autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. By utilizing advanced CAR-T cell technology, the research aims to specifically target and eliminate T cells that attack the nervous system without compromising the overall immune system. This could lead to more effective treatments for patients with chronic autoimmune conditions.

Dr. Naresha Saligrama's research lab at Washington University focuses on understanding the immune responses involved in autoimmune diseases, particularly multiple sclerosis (MS) and the roles of specific T cells. They investigate how certain immune T cell receptors react with both myelin and viral antigens, aiming to uncover the triggers of MS. Additionally, the lab explores the function of unique regulatory T cells that could provide insights for treating autoimmune conditions.

Dr. Jeffrey D. Milbrandt's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind axon degeneration, a process crucial for conditions like ALS and peripheral neuropathy. The research investigates the enzyme SARM1, which plays a vital role in neuroinflammation and axon damage. By studying how cellular metabolism and inflammation contribute to nerve degeneration, the lab aims to develop new therapeutic strategies to protect nerve cells and improve motor function in affected individuals.

Dr. Mario Feldman's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding how bacteria, particularly those that are resistant to antibiotics, respond to stress and interact with the human body. One project looks at how the bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii manages stress through a novel biochemical pathway, which could have implications for treating infections. Another project investigates outer membrane vesicles produced by gut bacteria, which may play a role in maintaining gut health and influencing immune responses. Overall, the lab aims to uncover new molecular mechanisms that could lead to better treatments for bacterial infections and improve our understanding of gut microbiology.

Martha W Bagnall's lab focuses on understanding how neuromodulators like dopamine and serotonin influence movement in zebrafish. By utilizing advanced imaging techniques and genetic tools, the lab explores how these chemicals affect spinal cord circuits to control locomotion during different behaviors. This research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind neuromodulatory action and its significance in motor control.

Dr. Beau Ances' lab focuses on understanding the brain's health and function as people age. Their work includes studying brain connectivity in older adults to find out what factors contribute to resilience or vulnerability to diseases like Alzheimer's. Another area of research investigates how cannabis use affects brain health and cognitive performance in individuals living with HIV. Overall, the lab combines techniques in neuroimaging and psychological assessment to explore important connections between lifestyle, health, and brain function.

Dr. Kevin M. Bennett's lab focuses on improving kidney transplantation outcomes by developing imaging techniques to better evaluate high-risk deceased donor kidneys. Many kidneys are discarded due to being labeled as low quality, but this project aims to validate and enhance the assessment of their health through advanced imaging methods. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce kidney waste and increase the availability of life-saving organs for patients in need.