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Lu Huang — Dr. Lu Huang's lab focuses on understanding how lung macrophages respond to tuberculosis infection. The research aims to uncover the mechanisms that make these cells permissive to the growth of the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes TB. By exploring the origins and metabolic pathways of these immune cells, the lab hopes to develop new strategies and therapies to enhance the fight against TB.
Fen Xia — Dr. Fen Xia's lab focuses on improving cancer treatment, specifically for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). They investigate how certain proteins affect the immune response to tumors, particularly how a pathway involving GSK3 and 53BP1 can lead to T cell exhaustion, which limits the success of immunotherapies. By understanding and disrupting this pathway, the lab aims to enhance T cell survival and effectiveness against tumors, contributing to better treatment options.
Paul D Drew — Dr. Paul D. Drew's lab focuses on understanding how fetal alcohol exposure affects brain development, particularly through the impact on oligodendrocyte-lineage cells that are essential for myelination in the central nervous system. The research aims to uncover the mechanisms of neurological deficits associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), with hopes of finding therapeutic approaches for prevention and treatment. By utilizing rodent models, the lab explores the interactions between oligodendrocyte cells and neurons and seeks potential strategies to enhance myelination in affected brains.
Mayumi Nakagawa — Dr. Mayumi Nakagawa's lab focuses on developing innovative therapeutic vaccines to enhance immune responses against high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV), which are responsible for several cancers including cervical and head and neck cancers. The lab is actively conducting clinical trials to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of PepCan, a vaccine designed to boost T-cell responses in patients with HPV-related lesions and cancers. Their research aims to provide alternative treatments that are safer for women who want to preserve their fertility while effectively targeting HPV-related diseases.
Angus M Macnicol — Dr. Angus M Macnicol's lab at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences studies how the anterior pituitary gland adapts to changes in hormonal needs, especially relating to female fertility and aging. The lab focuses on the role of a protein called Musashi, which influences how pituitary cells change and function in response to bodily stress. By understanding these processes, the lab aims to find ways to improve fertility and treat hormone-related disorders.
Shengyu Mu — Dr. Shengyu Mu's lab studies how immune cells, particularly T cells, contribute to high blood pressure, or hypertension. They focus on understanding the mechanisms of T cell activation in the kidneys and how these cells become long-lasting memory cells that can affect salt retention and blood pressure regulation. The goal of the research is to uncover new strategies for treating hypertension by targeting specific immune processes that contribute to the disease.
Rupak Pathak — Dr. Rupak Pathak's lab focuses on understanding how platelets interact with the immune system, especially after exposure to harmful radiation. This research is vital for developing new therapies to protect individuals from immune disorders caused by nuclear events. The lab aims to find ways to improve immune response and protect against organ damage by examining platelet behaviors and their interactions with immune cells.
Yunmeng Liu — Dr. Yunmeng Liu's lab is focused on understanding how diabetes and hypertension are connected through the immune system, particularly looking at T cells. The research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind T cell activation and its impact on these diseases using mouse models. By exploring how certain signaling pathways involving ATP and insulin contribute to this connection, the lab hopes to identify new therapeutic targets to help reduce the risks associated with metabolic syndrome.