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Rakez Kayed — Dr. Rakez Kayed's lab focuses on understanding the role of tau protein aggregation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related neurodegenerative disorders. The team investigates how tau forms toxic oligomers that contribute to cognitive decline and neuroinflammation. By exploring the mechanisms behind tau aggregation and its modification through ubiquitination, the lab aims to develop new therapeutic strategies to halt or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Ping Wu — Dr. Ping Wu's lab focuses on understanding how prenatal exposures, specifically to opioids and Zika virus, affect brain development and behavior in offspring. They employ animal models to study cellular mechanisms that lead to developmental defects, aiming to find new strategies to prevent these effects. The research blends genetic, biochemical, and behavioral analyses to explore how maternal health impacts fetal brain health and function.
Shinji Makino — Professor Shinji Makino leads a research lab at the University of Texas Med Br Galveston focused on understanding the Rift Valley fever virus, which can cause serious diseases like hemorrhagic fever in humans and livestock. The lab investigates how the virus's RNA is packaged, which is crucial for developing antiviral drugs and vaccines. Their work aims to prevent outbreaks by elucidating the viral mechanisms that could aid in public health strategies against this and similar viruses.
Jia Zhou — Dr. Jia Zhou's lab at the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston focuses on understanding cocaine use disorder (CUD) and exploring new treatments. The team is particularly interested in how serotonin receptors can be modulated to help reduce cravings and relapse in individuals struggling with CUD. They aim to develop novel compounds that improve serotonin receptor function as a potential therapy for CUD and related neuropsychiatric disorders.
Alexander Bukreyev — Dr. Alexander Bukreyev's lab focuses on understanding how the immune system improperly responds to Ebola virus infection. The research aims to identify the molecular mechanisms that cause both excessive inflammation and immune paralysis in affected individuals. By studying these processes, the lab hopes to contribute to the development of effective treatments for Ebola virus and similar viral infections.
Andres F. Oberhauser — Dr. Andres F. Oberhauser's lab studies how aging affects muscle proteins, particularly focusing on myosin and its chaperone UNC-45. As people age, they can lose muscle mass and strength, a condition known as sarcopenia, which impacts their quality of life. His research aims to understand the molecular changes to myosin and UNC-45 that contribute to sarcopenia using advanced techniques in both lab and animal models.
Gene Garrard Olinger — Dr. Gene Garrard Olinger's lab at the University of Texas Medical Branch focuses on maintaining and optimizing the Galveston National Laboratory, a high-containment facility dedicated to studying infectious diseases. The lab provides unique resources for researchers to develop therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccines for dangerous pathogens, while also training the next generation of experts in global health. Through rapid response capabilities, the lab plays a critical role in addressing public health emergencies and bioterrorism threats.
Tian Wang — Dr. Tian Wang's lab focuses on developing innovative vaccines to combat COVID-19, particularly using a novel approach involving porous silicon microparticles. They aim to enhance both systemic and mucosal immunity against SARS-CoV-2 variants, making vaccination more effective through different delivery methods. The research holds potential for long-term protection against viral infections and improving public health responses to pandemics.
Ashok K Chopra — Dr. Ashok K Chopra's lab focuses on developing innovative vaccines against the plague by studying the immunological responses in both mice and non-human primates. By identifying new virulence genes of the plague bacteria, Yersinia pestis, the lab aims to create safer and more effective vaccines than those currently available. The research not only enhances our understanding of how to combat this deadly disease but also seeks to address public health risks posed by antibiotic-resistant strains.