Medicine

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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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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Dr. Gomez is an Assistant Professor in The Department of Medicine –Division of Oncology at Washington University School of Medicine. The Gomez lab is broadly focused on cancer genomics and bioinformatic analyses. Currently, Dr. Gomez is leading a deep sequencing analysis of Hodgkin lymphoma genomes with the goal of describing somatic events characteristic of this malignancy. This work is currently being broadened toward the investigation of Hodgkin lymphoma genomes using single cell sequencing technology. Dr. Gomez collaborates with members of the Griffith and Fehniger laboratories on projects related to the genomics of Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Dr. Gomez’s research goals include developing strategies to translate genomic data into improved patient care. She is specifically interested in working toward the inclusion of diverse human populations in translational genomic research

Research keywords: genomics; cancer; informatics

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My overarching research goals involve utilization of genomic information from sarcomas to better understand the pathogenesis of these rare tumors and to identify biomarkers to aid in early cancer detection and therapeutic targets for these aggressive cancers.

Research keywords: sarcoma; cancer biology; cancer predisposition

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The cellular antenna primary cilium is a beautiful and enigmatic structure that underlies some of the most important human diseases. We study primary cilia in the setting of pancreatic islet function and diabetes, using genetic models, metabolic tests, and molecular and cellular imaging to dissect the role of cilia in cellular communication.

Research keywords: Pancreatic islets; Primary cilia; Cell crosstalk

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SIngle cell and spatial omics for understanding kidney organization across lifespan in health and disease

Research keywords: kidney; single cell and spatial; 2D, 3D imaging

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The Kefalogianni lab studies the cellular and molecular mechanism of tissue injury and disease progression. Various pathologies are associated with tissue injury, including hypoxia, diabetes, infections, and autoimmune diseases. While mechanisms to repair the damaged tissues get activated, severe or repeated injury can drive non-resolving inflammation, tissue scarring (fibrosis), and progression to chronic disease conditions that may lead to organ function loss. Systemic effects, such as remote organ injuries are also common. Our current projects focus on the roles of cytokines and their cellular and soluble receptors in the progression of rheumatic and kidney diseases.

Research keywords: cell signaling; TNF; fibrosis

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The Kendall Lab studies B lymphocyte contributions to autoimmune and allergic diseases including Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and food allergy. We discovered that B lymphocyte signaling through Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) governs development of autoreactive cells. Targeting BTK eliminates autoreactive, but not normal cells, making it an attractive therapeutic option for fighting autoimmune disease without causing immunodeficency. We also work with nanoparticle therapeutics. Finally, we have discovered that B lymphocyte signaling is important for proper IgA development, leading to extensive studies of mucosal immunity including gut health, IgA sequences and specificity, and microbiome in relationship to autoimmune disease.

Research keywords: B lymphocytes; Autoimmune disease; Microbiome

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Our goal is to develop more effective immunotherapies for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We work at the interface of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and T cells, as AML is a malignancy derived from HSPCs and still harbors many characteristics of its normal counterparts. We use chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, in which T cells are genetically engineered to attack cancer, as this has achieved success in a variety of hematologic malignancies, such as B-cell lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We aim to extrapolate the success of CAR T cell therapy to AML.

Research keywords: CAR T cells; Hematopoietic stem cells; Cell and gene therapy

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The overarching goal of our research program is to determine how epithelial cell-derived proteins can be harnessed to mitigate the risk of acute lung injury in various settings, to ultimately reduce the burden of end-stage lung disease. A major focus of our work involves distinguishing the role of locally-derived complement proteins in the lung from those present in the blood, and how they modulate the development of pneumonia and acute lung injury. We use multiple in vitro and in vivo approaches to dissect the mechanism by which these proteins contribute to cellular survival. Additionally, we draw upon a robust biorepository of lung tissue, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and DNA from human subjects to guide and validate our research.

We have active projects investigating lung injury due to pneumonia, and the short- and long-term consequences of ischemia-reperfusion injury occurring in the context of lung transplantation, with the ultimate goal of mitigating the morbidity and mortality occurring due to these forms of lung injury. Postdocs have the opportunity to develop an expertise in immunology, cell biology, bioinformatics, literature review, and scientific writing as they will address these questions.

Research keywords: Lung; Pneumonia; Transplantation

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The Leung Lab is focused on developing a mechanistic understanding of host-pathogen interactions that contribute to viral pathogenesis through immune evasion, replication, and spread. We use a multidisciplinary approach to characterize select non-segmented negative sense RNA viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus and Ebola virus, to identify critical targets that can be used as a basis to develop therapeutics or vaccine candidates.

Research keywords: Host Pathogen interactions; Immune Evasion; Viral Pathogenesis

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The Maher lab is an integrated team of experimental and computational biologists focused on translating genome-based discoveries into the clinic. Our research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms driving metastatic progression and treatment resistance in cancer. To accomplish this, our lab combines the analysis of large-scale '-omics' data with molecular biology, cellular biology, and biochemistry.

Research keywords: Bioinformatics; Cancer genomics; Noncoding RNAs

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The McCoy Laboratory studies how microbes navigate nutritional immunity to live on human skin. Our projects commonly employ microbiome, microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, and structural biology techniques to investigate these interactions. Many of our studies revolve focus on the skin commensal Cutibacterium acnes, which is associated with acne vulgaris and can cause infections of indwelling medical devices (e.g., joint replacements). We believe that our investigations will lead to a better understanding of human-microbe interactions and improved diagnostics/therapeutics for patients.

Research keywords: Microbe; Skin; Structure

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The Muegge Lab is interested in the genetic and metabolic regulation of cell fate decisions. We are especially focused on defining how epithelial stem cells in the gut give rise to the diverse intestinal endocrine system, with the goal of discovering novel ways to treat metabolic diseases using gut hormones. We use cutting edge bulk and single-cell RNA-seq and epigenetic methods. Our work is at the interface of computational genomics, developmental biology, and cellular models of disease. We invite applications from enthusiastic scientists of any disciplinary background interested in joining our collaborative team.

Research keywords: Stem cells; Genomics; Endocrinology

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My lab focuses broadly on the leukocyte migration (or trafficking) in the setting of tumor immunology. We have been working on a novel leukocyte chemoattractant protein, chemerin. Our ongoing work will continue to further define the by which chemerin mediates its anti-tumor effect, and ultimately we hope to translate this into a first in class immunotherapeutic that could augment leukocyte trafficking to sites of tumor in humans. We have recently received a patent for our tumor targeted immunotherapy and are translating this into the clinic and will work on the first in human clinical trial. As a Physician-Scientist who sees and treats patients with genitourinary malignancies, I have been able to establish a robust human tissue bank and thus another focus in the lab is on translational studies of human prostate cancer tissues using advances multi-omic methods such as single cell RNAseq and multiplexed imaging modalities.

Research keywords: tumor immunology; prostate cancer; leukocyte trafficking

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Our research interests are focused on mechanisms of inflammation from systemic inflammatory disorders. The major focus in the lab is investigating the pathogenic role of CD8 T cells in HLA-B27+ anterior uveitis and ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory diseases of the eye and spine, respectively.

Research keywords: CD8 T cell; autoimmunity; human immunology

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The Ratner Lab is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work on human T-cell leukemia virus and adult T cell leukemia lymphoma (HTLV). Projects involved molecular and cellular biology and virology, immunology, informatics research including lab bench and biosafety laboratory tissue culture, using state-of-art techniques including humanized mice, single cell RNAseq, CRISPR screens, CUT&RUN sequencing. The projects focus on epigenetic regulation of HTLV, T-cell receptor signaling, viral and cellular protein interactions studies, and functional analyses. We incorporate discoveries into clinical trials, and use human samples as well for these studies.

Research keywords: HTLV; Leukemia; T-cell receptor

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The Rentschler lab studies cardiac physiology and the regulation of gene expression. In recent groundbreaking research, she and others at WashU discovered that cardiac radiotherapy can activate, in part, Notch signaling and reprogram cardiac conduction, which could lead the way to new, less invasive treatments for arrhythmias.

Research keywords: arrhythmias; epigenetics; engineering

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