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John Morris — Dr. John Morris's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding Alzheimer's disease by investigating early biomarkers in middle-aged individuals, especially those with a family history of the disease. The lab studies how changes in the brain can indicate the potential onset of Alzheimer's, even before symptoms appear. Through various projects, they explore factors that may influence the progression from preclinical conditions to symptomatic Alzheimer's while examining biological tests and lifestyle factors that may impact brain health.
David M. Holtzman — David M. Holtzman’s lab at Washington University focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease, particularly how T cells, microglia, and the APOE gene interact to exacerbate tau-related neurodegeneration. Researchers in this lab investigate both innate and adaptive immune responses in the brain and their contributions to the pathology of tau aggregation and neurodegeneration. The goal is to find new therapeutic targets that can slow or prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.
Marco Colonna — Professor Marco Colonna's lab at Washington University focuses on the immune system's role in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and other conditions. Researchers in the lab study how immune cells manage to clear harmful proteins like amyloid plaques and Tau aggregates in the brain. They are particularly interested in the function of microglia, a type of brain immune cell, and the receptor TREM2 which could be targeted for drug development to improve treatments for AD.
Rui Zhang — Dr. Rui Zhang's lab at Washington University focuses on studying the structure and function of a vital organelle, the conoid, in the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. By examining the unique complexities of this structure, the lab aims to unlock insights that could contribute to developing more effective treatments for diseases caused by apicomplexan parasites. This research is crucial as it addresses significant gaps in our understanding of these pathogens, which are responsible for severe human health issues.
Deanna Barch — Dr. Deanna Barch's lab focuses on understanding the reasons behind motivational impairments in individuals with psychotic and mood disorders. The research aims to investigate how these impairments affect decision-making related to effort and rewards in everyday life. By employing innovative behavioral assessments and neuroimaging techniques, the lab seeks to differentiate the mechanisms of motivation between individuals with psychosis, like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and those with depression.
Kenneth M Murphy — Dr. Kenneth M. Murphy's lab at Washington University explores how specific dendritic cells, called cDC1, help the immune system recognize and respond to infections and tumors. The lab focuses on the role of a protein named WDFY4 in both Treg (regulatory T cell) development and antigen presentation, essential for activating the immune response. Their research aims to uncover new treatment pathways for autoimmunity and cancer immunotherapy.
David H Gutmann — Dr. David Gutmann's lab focuses on understanding neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and its impact on brain tumors and neurodevelopmental problems in children. They aim to uncover the biological mechanisms behind NF1-related conditions to improve treatment strategies and patient outcomes. The lab utilizes integrative approaches, combining patient-derived cells, advanced genetic techniques, and mouse models to explore how different cell types interact in these diseases.
Qing Wang — The lab led by Qing Wang at Washington University focuses on developing innovative imaging techniques to study neuroinflammation associated with Alzheimer's disease. They are working on a new method called diffusion dictionary imaging (DDI), which uses MRI technology to visualize and quantify neuroinflammation in the brain. This research aims to better understand the relationship between neuroinflammation and the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Randall J Bateman — Dr. Randall J. Bateman's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding and diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease (AD) through innovative blood tests and longitudinal studies. The lab is part of the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN), which gathers essential data from individuals at high risk for AD, allowing researchers to track disease progression and develop new preventive strategies. By studying biomarkers like amyloid and tau in blood samples, the lab aims to improve early detection methods and inform future clinical trials for new Alzheimer's therapies.