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Carolyn M. Klinge — Dr. Carolyn Klinge's lab at the University of Louisville investigates how environmental contaminants, specifically polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), affect liver health and metabolism. By examining RNA modifications, particularly N(6)-methyladenosine (m6A), the lab aims to understand their role in metabolic diseases, especially metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and how factors like diet and sex differences influence these processes. Through innovative techniques, the research seeks potential therapeutic targets for improving liver health in the face of environmental exposure.
John Pierce Wise — Dr. John Pierce Wise's lab at the University of Louisville focuses on understanding how certain metals, particularly hexavalent chromium, contribute to the development of lung cancer through a process called chromosomal instability. The lab investigates the biological mechanisms by which these metals induce cancerous changes in lung cells, employing a range of models including human cell lines, 3D cultures, and animal studies. The ultimate goal is to uncover new strategies for prevention and treatment of lung cancer, addressing a critical public health issue related to environmental exposures.
Venkatakrishna Rao Jala — Dr. Venkatakrishna Rao Jala's lab focuses on understanding how gut barrier dysfunction contributes to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. They are investigating a compound called Urolithin A (UroA), which shows promise in enhancing gut barrier function and reducing inflammation. Their research aims to uncover the mechanisms by which UroA activates specific cellular pathways to provide potential treatments for IBD.
J Christopher States — Dr. Christopher States' lab at the University of Louisville focuses on understanding how exposure to arsenic leads to cancer, particularly skin cancer. They investigate the role of specific microRNAs in modifying gene expression and causing chromosomal instability, which is a significant factor in tumor development. The lab develops new models to study these effects and aims to fill critical knowledge gaps in cancer etiology related to environmental exposures.
Kenneth E Palmer — Dr. Kenneth E. Palmer's lab at the University of Louisville focuses on developing strategies and tools to respond to public health emergencies, particularly for infectious diseases. The lab operates a specialized facility for biocontainment research, working on vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics. They emphasize training a skilled workforce to support research in high-level containment settings, particularly in the wake of pandemics like COVID-19.
Martha E Bickford — Dr. Martha E. Bickford's lab investigates how a specific brain area called the pretectum influences visual processing and behaviors in mammals. They aim to understand the connections and interactions between the pretectum and thalamic neurons involved in integrating vision and movement. The research may provide insights into treating visual motion disorders and enhance techniques for diagnosing conditions such as dyslexia and schizophrenia.
Prakash Radhakrishnan — Dr. Prakash Radhakrishnan's lab focuses on understanding the role of specific carbohydrate antigens in pancreatic cancer, which is a highly aggressive form of cancer. They aim to develop new treatments that target a molecule called Tn antigen, which is present in high levels in pancreatic cancer cells. By using a combination of advanced antibody therapies and traditional cancer drugs, the lab hopes to improve survival rates for patients with this fatal disease.
Matthew B Lawrenz — Dr. Matthew Lawrenz's lab at the University of Louisville focuses on understanding how the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which causes plague, interacts with the human immune system. His research investigates how this pathogen alters immune responses and evades inflammation during infection. By studying the mechanisms that Yersinia pestis uses to suppress immune communication and acquire essential nutrients from the host, the lab aims to uncover potential new therapies for plague and improve our understanding of bacterial infection processes.
Donghoon Chung — Dr. Donghoon Chung's research lab at the University of Louisville focuses on developing new antiviral therapies specifically targeting arthritogenic alphaviruses like Chikungunya. The lab aims to optimize a unique antiviral compound that has shown promise against certain alphaviruses and enhance its effectiveness against other forms of these viruses, which have the potential to cause significant public health challenges. The multidisciplinary team combines efforts in structural biology, medicinal chemistry, and virology to create next-generation antiviral drugs.