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Greg A. Gerhardt — Dr. Greg A. Gerhardt's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on developing new treatments for cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. They conduct clinical trials using cell therapy techniques, specifically delivering nerve tissue to repair neural circuits that are affected in these diseases. The lab's research aims to enhance the function of cholinergic neurons in patients with Alzheimer's and related conditions, potentially offering more than just symptom relief.
Binhua P Zhou — Dr. Binhua P Zhou's lab focuses on understanding and combating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly aggressive form of cancer with poor prognosis. The research aims to investigate how a specific enzyme, nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), helps TNBC cells survive under stress and contributes to their spread in the body. By targeting NNMT with specially designed inhibitors, the lab seeks to develop new treatment strategies to improve outcomes for patients with TNBC.
Yasuhiro Suzuki — Dr. Yasuhiro Suzuki's lab focuses on understanding how the immune system in the brain protects against infections from parasites, especially Toxoplasma gondii, which can cause severe complications in AIDS patients. They study the role of specialized brain cells called microglia in producing a signaling molecule called IFN- that helps activate immune responses. The goal is to find ways to prevent reactivation of the infection and develop potential vaccines for those at risk.
John Joseph Mccarthy — Dr. John McCarthy's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how skeletal muscle cells maintain themselves throughout an organism's life. They study the turnover of myonuclei, which are the nuclei of muscle cells, to see how damage is repaired or replaced. The team's research is not only significant for aging muscles but could also impact therapies for muscular diseases.
Rodney Kiplin Guy — Dr. Rodney Kiplin Guy's lab focuses on improving the effectiveness of new antimalarial drugs called ATP4 inhibitors. The research aims to understand how these drugs work in combination with others and how to reduce the risk of malaria parasites developing resistance. By studying both laboratory and animal models, the lab seeks to find the best combinations of drugs that can treat malaria effectively while minimizing the chance that parasites will become resistant to treatment.
Wang-Xia Wang — Dr. Wang-Xia Wang’s lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how microRNAs influence neuroinflammation and the role they play in Alzheimer's disease. The lab is particularly interested in a specific microRNA, miR-223, which affects the ApoE pathway, a critical component linked to neuroinflammation and sex-related differences in disease response. Through various experimental techniques, the lab aims to develop new therapeutic strategies that could improve treatment outcomes for Alzheimer's disease, especially in female patients who may be disproportionately affected by these conditions.
Chang-Guo Zhan — Dr. Chang-Guo Zhan's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on developing new treatments for opioid use disorder, particularly in cases where patients are also using stimulants like methamphetamine. The team is investigating a novel protein that modifies ghrelin—an important peptide in the brain’s reward system—to help reduce the rewarding effects of drugs, potentially leading to more effective therapies for addiction. Their research aims to provide safer options for those struggling with substance use disorders.
Stefan Stamm — Dr. Stefan Stamm's lab at the University of Kentucky focuses on understanding how specific modifications in RNA, particularly circular RNAs (circRNAs), contribute to Alzheimer's disease. The lab studies how these modifications might lead to the production of proteins that influence the disease process, particularly in relation to tau protein aggregation, a key feature of Alzheimer's pathology. By exploring the mechanisms behind these RNA modifications, the lab hopes to unveil new aspects of Alzheimer's disease that could lead to novel therapeutic strategies.
Maj-Linda B Selenica — Dr. Selenica's lab focuses on understanding the role of a specific protein modification in brain diseases like Alzheimers and related dementias. They investigate how this modification affects a protein called TDP-43, which is linked to cognitive decline. The research aims to uncover how changes in TDP-43 contribute to neurological disorders, providing insights that could lead to new therapeutic approaches.