U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident

The overarching goal of my research program is to develop a mechanistic understanding of host-pathogen interactions with biological consequences to pathogenesis. These interactions promote host immune suppression and enhance pathogen replication in cell and tissue specific manner, but remain incompletely described. Results from these studies will inform on molecular mechanisms of action during infection as well as insights into potential therapeutic targets and mechanisms of action. We currently use biochemical and biophysical methods to identify and characterize components from hosts and pathogens in order to develop an atomic resolution framework.

Research keywords: Host pathogen interface; viral interactions; pathogenesis

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The Mayo Clinic has published a DNA 20mer (selected in vitro to bind myelin) that apparently leads to remyelinization and recovery in a mouse M.S. model. But it only works as a complex with 4 streptavidins, I.P. 3x per week, and is expected to be immunogenic. I have selected [SELEX] non-immunogenic 95mer nucleic acids that reach the brain from intravenous tail vein injections. These could replace the streptavidins, and were selected to carry a cargo of 45mer. Only 4h timepoint so far. Exciting idea for long lifetime.

Research keywords: multiple sclerosis; aptamers; DNA technology

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My laboratory investigates cellular programs that regulate early hematopoietic cell development. Specifically, we are interested in stem cell self-renewal and B cell differentiation in normal development and malignant transformation. We are particularly interested in how signals activated by double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) integrate with developmental programs to promote normal differentiation and prevent leukemogenesis.

Research keywords: B cell development; Hematopoietic stem cells; DNA damage

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Brain imaging in aging, Alzheimer's disease, and related diseases (ADRD) with specific focus of translation of novel PET tracers and MR sequences into human studies, clinical trials, and clinical patient populations.

Research keywords: Alzheimer; MRI; PET

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The Personomics Lab, led by Janine Bijsterbosch, PhD, aims to understand how brain connectivity patterns differ from one person to the next by studying the personalized connectome. Using population datasets such as the UK Biobank, the Personomics Lab adopts cutting edge computational techniques to improve the interpretability and reliability of resting state functional connectivity networks and investigate multimodal brain correlates of mental health disorders such as depression.

Research keywords: neuroimaging; mental health; computational neuroscience

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Genetic and environmental correlates of complex behavior (e.g., psychopathology, substance use) and biology (e.g., brain structure and function, inflammation).

Research keywords: Psychopathology; Genetics; Neuroimaging

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In the Brossier lab, we are interested in identifying which factors increase the rate of tumorigenesis following oncogenic mutation and the molecular basis underlying this effect, with an eye towards using this information for patient risk assessment and to identify new targets for therapeutic intervention. Projects in the lab revolve around two major themes: (1) how neurodevelopmental factors (cell type, age) affect response to oncogenic mutation, and (2) how environmental factors (including maternal diet) modulate the effects of mutation on the cell of origin and tumor penetrance.

Research keywords: maternal obesity; Neurofibromatosis Type 1; pediatric glioma

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We focus on mechanisms of CD8 T cell activation in the central nervous system (CNS), and their implications in neurodegeneration and cancer.
By studying the neurodegenerative disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 4 (ALS4), caused by a mutation in the gene SETX, we found that CD8 T cells of likely autoimmune origin are activated in the CNS and blood of patients and mice, and correlate with disease progression and resistance to glioma in mice. We want to explore:
The role of CD8 T cells in the pathogenesis of ALS, in humans and mice;
The role of SETX in T cell activation.

Research keywords: Immunology/T cells; Neurodegeneration; Cancer

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The Chaney lab focuses on the development and evaluation of novel imaging biomarkers to investigate the inflammatory component of neurodegenerative diseases. The goals of this work are to enhance understanding, detection, and treatment of devastating neurological diseases through the development of non-invasive translational molecular imaging strategies. Specifically, we are interested in developing Positron Emission Tomography (PET) tracers targeting the innate immune system and defining the role of peripheral and central nervous system (CNS) immune responses in neurodegeneration (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis) and infection. To achieve this, we employ multidisciplinary research at the interface of neuroscience, radiology, and immunology.

Research keywords: Molecular imaging; Neuroinflammation; Neurodegeneratoin

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My research is focused on health and economic burden of obesity and obesity-related multimorbidity, multiple myeloma prevention and control, surgical treatment for obesity, transplant outcomes, and health disparities.

Research keywords: Obesity; Cancer; Disparities

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The Chen Lab's research focuses on a unique class of RNA - circular RNA (circRNA), with the aim of uncovering circRNAs' regulatory and functional roles, as well as their clinical implications. By utilizing innovative multi-omic and high-throughput screening approaches to identify the genomic elements, RNA structures, and protein components that regulate circRNA functions, we strive to advance our understanding of circRNA's biological significance and disease relevance. Our long-term goal is to develop circRNAs as a novel RNA therapeutic platform, revolutionizing next-generation RNA technology and therapeutics.

Research keywords: RNA; Translation; Stress

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Skin has a remarkable ability to tolerate genetic mutations while remaining clinically cancer-free. This suggests that non-mutational factors may influence the capacity for cells to undergo oncogenic transformation. We conduct studies to understand the interaction between aging, epigenetics, and skin cancer with novel, genetic mouse models of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and a robust skin cancer biospecimen bank. We also conduct translational studies to identify melanocyte transition states, and determinants of therapeutic response in metastatic melanoma. We utilize state-of-the art technologies including single-cell RNA-sequencing and epigenomics, as well as mechanism studies via mouse modeling, cell culture, and biochemistry.

Research keywords: Melanoma; Squamous cell carcinoma; premalignancy

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Small-cell lung cancer is recalcitrant cancer and the most aggressive form of lung malignancy. My research is focused on developing new therapies for small cell lung cancer in both preclinical and clinical settings. We are especially interested in identifying predictive biomarkers and drug resistance mechanisms. We use state-of-art genomic and high-throughput drug screenings to identify new targets and novel drug combinations. Our research employes cell lines, animal models, and patient samples.

Research keywords: translational research; preclinical; cancer biology

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Our mission is to develop innovative techniques for improving the lives of patients with brain diseases. Our team is currently working on developing the following techniques: ultrasound-mediated brain drug delivery techniques for the treatment of brain cancer, ultrasound-enabled brain tumor biomarker release techniques for the diagnosis of brain cancer, and ultrasound neuromodulation techniques for understanding brain functions.

Research keywords: Neuroengineering; Brain cancer; Neuroscience

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We aim to uncover the spatiotemporal dynamics of molecular signals, and investigates how these features contribute to sleep, learning, and functions of neuromodulators – chemicals made in the brain with profound effects on cellular physiology and animal behavior. We achieve our research objectives by imaging and manipulating, in live brain slices and freely moving mice, intracellular signals with high spatial resolution and temporal precision. We combine these approaches with molecular, cellular, developmental, biochemical, and electrophysiological approaches. In addition to the biology exploration, we also further our research by developing new molecular tools (biosensors, actuators) as well as engineering new instruments.

Research keywords: neuromodulator; sleep; imaging

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A major focus of our lab is to investigate the molecular pathogenesis of kidney diseases mediated by dysfunction of organelles including endoplasmic reticulum (ER), mitochondria and lysosome (autophagy), to discover ER stress biomarkers, and to develop highly-targeted therapies by employing high-throughput drug screening.

Research keywords: ER; Mitochondria; Autophagy

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Our lab studies the mechanisms regulating platelet and leukocyte activation under thromboinflammatory conditions, including coronary artery disease, vasculitis, ischemic stroke, and sickle cell disease.

Research keywords: thromboinflammation; confocal intravital microscopy; platelet and leukocyte

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I'm a neuroscientist who works on profoundly neurodegenerative inherited diseases that mostly affect children and young adults. These are lysosomal storage disorders, due to failed lysosomal function. My lab works to understand these diseases better. which brain regions and cell types are affected. We then use this information to better target therapies (gene therapy and enzyme replacement) to the places where they can be most effective. This work has taken us from mice to large animal models and from the brain to the bowel.

Research keywords: neurodegeneration; gene therapy; genetics

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The Crewe lab uses transgenic mouse lines, cell culture and biochemistry to understand extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated signaling during homeostatic and pathologic metabolic regulation. We are focused on understanding this in the context of obesity and type 2 diabetes with a particular emphasis on adipocyte-derived EVs. We are particularly excited about a subpopulation of EVs from adipocytes carry damaged mitochondria which are transferred to other organs.

Research keywords: extracellular vesicles; metabolism; Obesity

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The Cruchaga Lab is dedicated to advancing the understanding of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease, other dementias, and stroke, by generating, analyzing and leveraging multi-tissue multi-omic data from large and well characterized cohorts

Research keywords: multi-omics; machine learning; prediction models

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