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Stephen K Burley — Dr. Stephen K. Burley's lab at Rutgers University focuses on managing and enhancing the Protein Data Bank (PDB), which stores important information about the 3D structures of proteins and nucleic acids. Their work ensures that scientists around the world have free access to this crucial data, helping them understand biological processes and diseases. The lab is committed to improving data quality and making new structure determination methods available to the research community.
David A Dubnau — David A Dubnau's lab at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences focuses on understanding how bacteria can take up DNA from their environment, a process that can lead to antibiotic resistance and other traits. The lab studies the detailed mechanisms involved in this transformation process using the bacterium Bacillus subtilis as a model system. Researchers employ a variety of biochemical and biophysical methods to investigate the proteins and processes that facilitate this uptake and integration of DNA into bacterial genomes.
Qian Cai — Dr. Qian Cai's lab at Rutgers University focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind tauopathies, particularly in Alzheimer's disease. They investigate how communication between cellular organelles, like mitochondria and autophagosomes, impacts the buildup of toxic tau protein and neuronal health. This research aims to identify potential therapeutic targets for treating Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Zhaohui Feng — Dr. Zhaohui Feng's lab at Rutgers focuses on understanding colorectal cancer, particularly the role of a protein called Parkin in cancer progression. Parkin is often downregulated in colorectal cancer, and the lab aims to explore how this affects cancer development and how it can be targeted for therapy. Their research combines advanced screening methods and mouse models to uncover new treatment strategies for colorectal cancer, especially in cases where Parkin is deficient.
Smita S Patel — Dr. Smita S Patel's lab at Rutgers focuses on understanding how specific enzymes interact with DNA and RNA during important biological processes like transcription, replication, and viral infection response. Using advanced techniques in biochemistry and structural biology, the lab investigates how helicases and polymerases work to recognize viral signals and regulate mitochondrial DNA function. The lab’s research aims to uncover fundamental mechanisms that could lead to new therapies for viral infections and mitochondrial diseases.
Debra L Laskin — Dr. Debra L Laskin's research lab focuses on understanding how inflammation in the lungs can lead to chronic diseases like asthma and COPD, particularly due to exposure to ozone, a common air pollutant. The lab studies macrophages, which are immune cells that can either promote inflammation or help resolve it. They are investigating ways to encourage these cells to shift from a pro-inflammatory state to a healing state, hoping to find new strategies to prevent lung injury and improve public health outcomes.
Tamara Minko — Dr. Tamara Minko's lab at Rutgers focuses on creating personalized medical treatments for women with ovarian cancer using advanced nanotechnology. By studying the individual genetic profiles of tumors, the lab aims to design tailored drug delivery systems that improve chemotherapy effectiveness and reduce the chances of resistance. Their work is crucial because it represents a significant advancement in treating gynecologic cancers, making therapies more personal and potentially more effective for patients.
Sylvia S Christakos — Dr. Sylvia S. Christakos' lab at Rutgers focuses on how vitamin D influences intestinal health, especially as we age. They study the mechanisms behind vitamin D's role in calcium absorption and its protective effects against inflammation and cancer in the gut. The lab aims to uncover why older adults often experience a reduced response to vitamin D and how targeted therapies can enhance its beneficial effects.
Evan Kleiman — Dr. Evan Kleiman's lab at Rutgers focuses on understanding suicide risk in preteen children aged 8 to 12, a group with rising rates of suicidal thoughts and attempts. Their research aims to develop better assessment tools that are appropriate for the developmental stage of preteens, and to identify different patterns of risk factors that can inform interventions. Ultimately, the lab seeks to improve the safety and well-being of at-risk youth, particularly those transitioning out of psychiatric care.