Thomas J. Silhavy — Dr. Thomas J. Silhavy's lab at Princeton University focuses on understanding how Gram-negative bacteria, like E. coli, construct and maintain their outer membrane. This work is crucial because the outer membrane acts as a protective barrier, and better understanding its biology can lead to new antibiotic treatments that target these bacteria. The lab studies various proteins and mechanisms involved in outer membrane biogenesis and transport, with an aim to uncover how these processes can be manipulated for potential therapeutic applications.
Tom Muir — Dr. Tom Muir's research lab at Princeton University focuses on innovative protein manipulation techniques that utilize inteins, which are naturally occurring segments of proteins. The lab is engaged in developing tools for protein splicing that can reveal and modify complex biological systems, particularly in the context of epigenetics and chromatin biology. This research aims to enhance our understanding of disease processes and improve biotechnological applications.
Celeste M Nelson — Dr. Celeste M. Nelson's lab at Princeton University is focused on understanding lung development, specifically the processes that prepare the lungs for breathing after birth. The lab investigates how certain pathways help thin the lung's supportive tissue, which is crucial for the formation of air sacs that facilitate gas exchange. By using advanced imaging, genetic techniques, and mechanical assessments, the lab aims to uncover the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in these processes, especially in cases of prematurity that can affect lung function later in life.
Zemer Gitai — Professor Zemer Gitai's lab at Princeton University focuses on developing innovative strategies to tackle antibiotic resistance and enhance our understanding of microbe-host interactions. Using advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing, the lab investigates how bacteria communicate with their hosts and seeks to create novel antibiotics and therapies that can help combat infections while minimizing resistance. This research combines expertise in microbiology, immunology, and computational biology to establish new methods for studying and manipulating bacterial behaviors.
Carlos D Brody — Dr. Carlos D Brody's lab at Princeton University studies how the brain processes information related to working memory and decision-making. They aim to understand how different brain regions communicate and coordinate to produce these cognitive functions. By using advanced techniques in neuroscience, including brain imaging and computational modeling, the lab investigates how neural circuits contribute to behaviors in complex decision-making tasks.
Robert R Knowles — Robert R Knowles' research lab at Princeton University focuses on developing innovative synthetic methods that utilize excited-state chemistry. By harnessing light to drive chemical reactions, his team explores new ways to synthesize complex organic molecules, which could lead to advancements in drug development and other areas of chemistry. They are also working on techniques that enhance reactions that involve the conversion of certain chemical bonds, aiming to improve how we create valuable compounds.
Ilana Witten — Dr. Ilana Witten's research focuses on understanding why people behave differently in similar situations, a question that intersects both nature and nurture. By studying dopamine neurons in the brain, her lab investigates how individual differences arise from unique reward associations that each person develops in response to their environment. This research could enhance our understanding of neuropsychiatric diseases, which often manifest through these variations in behavior.
Mohammad R Seyedsayamdost — Professor Seyedsayamdost's lab at Princeton University focuses on discovering and developing new anticancer agents from microbes. The research involves exploring microbial natural products that aren't typically produced in the lab, using innovative techniques to stimulate their growth, and synthesizing new variants to enhance their effectiveness. The goal is to uncover potent compounds that can serve as treatments for cancer.
Catherine Jensen Pena — Dr. Catherine Jensen Pena's lab at Princeton University investigates how early life adversity (ELA) affects brain development and influences sensitivity to stress in later life. They explore the role of epigenetic changes, particularly in the chromatin structure of the brain, to understand the biological underpinnings of depression and anxiety. The lab uses innovative techniques and a mouse model to test how these changes may lead to mental health challenges like anxiety and depression.