The Fu Lab is a basic research lab that studies zinc transport, with a particular focus on which step in the zinc transport process may be modulated and how. Dr. Fu's lab uses parallel cell biology and proteomic approaches to understand how these physiochemical principles are applied to mammalian zinc transporters and integrated to the physiology of pancreatic beta cells. This research has implications for understanding how zinc transport is related to diabetes and insulin intake.

The Frederick Anokye-Danso Lab investigates the biological pathways at work in the separation of human pluripotent stem cells into adipocytes and pancreatic beta cells. We focus in particular on determinant factors of obesity and metabolic dysfunction, such as the P72R polymorphism of p53. We also conduct research on the reprogramming of somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells using miRNAs.

The In-vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Center conducts multidisciplinary research on cellular and molecular imaging related to cancer. We provide resources, such as consultation on biostatistics and bioinformatics and optical imaging and probe development, to understand and effectively treat cancer. Our molecular oncology experts consult on preclinical studies, use of human tissues, interpretation of data and molecular characterization of cells and tumor tissue.

Dr. Dispenza’s laboratory focuses on allergies and IgE-mediated allergic reactions including anaphylaxis.  Overall goals of the lab include understanding the mechanisms driving anaphylaxis severity and phenotypes, discovering new biomarkers for the accurate diagnosis of anaphylaxis, and developing novel strategies for the prevention of IgE-mediated reactions.  One major project focuses on the prevention of anaphylaxis, for which there are no known reliable preventative therapies.  They found that small molecule inhibitors of the enzyme Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK), which is a key component of the IgE signaling pathway, completely suppress IgE-mediated human mast cell and basophil activation and significantly protect against death from severe anaphylaxis in humanized mice.  Further, in an investigator-initiated clinical trial, they demonstrated in an investigator-initiated trial that treatment with just 2 days of the oral BTK inhibitor acalabrutinib completely prevents clinical reactivity from eating peanut in the majority of peanut-allergic adults and markedly increases the tolerance level of the remainder.  These exciting data suggest that a long sought-after preventative therapy for anaphylaxis may finally be within reach.

The Richard J. Jones Lab studies normal and cancerous stem cells in order to make clinical improvements in areas such as blood and marrow transplantation (BMT). We discovered one of the most common stem-cell markers, Aldefluor, which identifies cells based on their expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1), and have used this marker to detect and characterize normal stem cells and cancer stem cells from many hematologic malignancies. We also developed post-transplant cyclophosphamide and effective related haploidentical BMT.

The Taverna Laboratory studies histone marks, such as lysine methylation and acetylation, and how they contribute to an epigenetic/histone code that dictates chromatin-templated functions like transcriptional activation and gene silencing. Our lab uses biochemistry and cell biology in a variety of model organisms to explore connections between gene regulation and proteins that write and read histone marks, many of which have clear links to human diseases like leukemia and other cancers. We also investigate links between small RNAs and histone marks involved in gene silencing.

The Sean Leng Lab studies the biology of healthy aging. Specific projects focus on chronic inflammation in late-life decline; immunosenescence and its relationship to the basic biological and physiological changes related to aging and frailty in the human immune system; and T-cell repertoire analysis.

Research in the Andrea Cox Lab explores the immune response in chronic viral infections, with a focus on HIV and the hepatitis C virus (HCV). In our studies, we examine the role of the immune response upon exposure to HCV by examining responses to HCV in a longitudinal, prospective group of high-risk individuals. This enables us to compare the innate, humoral and cellular immune responses to infection with clearance versus persistence. Through our findings, we seek to identify mechanisms of protective immunity against HCV infection and improve HCV vaccine design.

We study human B cells and neutralizing antibody responses against hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), SARS-CoV-2, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Our overarching hypothesis is that understanding the B cell response in individuals who naturally control infections, and those who have been vaccinated, can help us to understand the basic biology behind successful immune responses, leading to design of more effective vaccines. A particular technical strength of our laboratory is high dimensional flow cytometric analysis of antigen-specific B cells, which allows us to phenotype these rare cells, and also to sequence B cell receptor (BCR) repertoires and isolate virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).

Research in the Joseph Margolick Lab focuses on the many effects of HIV/AIDS on human health. We are particularly interested in the mechanisms of T-cell loss and preservation among people infected with HIV and the evaluation of human immune functions.