Biological Research in Non-Jargoned English @ Cal

BRINE @Cal is a student-run initiative created by mcbUSA’s Education Committee that aims to make information about the research interests of UC Berkeley Molecular and Cell Biology professors and labs more accessible. Through student-written, clear, and easy-to-read summaries of ongoing research on campus, BRINE @Cal helps students explore their interests, identify potential labs to apply to, and learn more about their professors. All summaries are written and updated by past and current members of the Education Committee.

(Last Updated: 1/19/2026)

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Hillel Adesnik – Associate Professor (Affiliated) of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

The Adesnik Lab focuses on how cortical microcircuits process information from the senses into behavior. The lab’s current projects include research on how neural circuits in the visual cortex process visual information and how the brain memorizes, stores, and builds subjective perception of that information in the neocortex’s internal model.

Ana Arruda – Assistant Professor (Affiliated) of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

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Greg Barton – Department Co-Chair, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, C.H. Li Distinguished Professor, Professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine

The Barton lab studies the receptors for immune cells that detect pathogen nucleic acids. They have projects that study specific receptor sequences that help macrophages clear dead cells. They also have projects that study how different immune cells identify various gut microbiota. The lab uses mice as its model organism and one of their recent research projects studied the immune responses that can lead to autoimmune diseases in neonates.

Helen Bateup – Associate Professor of Molecular Therapeutics

Neurons have unique ways to allow them to fire signals and form a balanced system. The goal of Bateup’s lab is to understand which neurons have influence on synapses and their functionality. The lab is interested in learning about how gene mutations that are associated with epilepsy and autism contribute to changes in the development and functions of neurons. The lab takes a multidisciplinary approach using molecular, biochemical, imaging, electrophysiological, and behavioral analysis in addition to mouse models and human stem cell derived miniature brains.

Diana Bautista – CDP Division Head, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

The Bautista lab focuses on discovering the molecular mechanisms of touch, itch and pain. Though touch, itch and pain are beneficial to species within the parameters of their evolutionarily advantageous functions, sometimes, they can persist beyond them and become chronic. The lab is currently studying itch receptors in model organisms such as mice in relation to conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema) and psoriasis. They have studied the molecular transduction mechanisms of touch in the star-nosed mole, and the function and sensitivity of somatosensory neurons which respond to stimuli like touch and pain.

Eric Betzig – Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

The Betzig lab designs novel optical imaging tools in an effort to open new windows into molecular, cellular, and neurobiology. Recently, their work has focused on developing lattice light sheet microscopy, adaptive optical microscopy, live cell structured illumination microscopy, and 3D high density localization microscopy. They are seeking to develop technologies that can analyze incredibly small data sources for new biological insights.

David Bilder – Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

The Bilder Lab explores the structure, function, and potential of epithelial cells, a core cell type that is present in all animal tissue and human organs. Their consistent cell architecture allows clearer understanding of how epithelial cell organization controls cell replication and prevents the formation of cancerous tumors. Drosophila flies are used as models since their epithelia organization is extremely similar to that of humans and all animal species. Recently, their research focuses on how epithelial cells counter the absence of neoplastic tumor suppressor genes that cause tumor formation/cancer when not functioning. Another path of study focuses on the molecular level interactions of an epithelial cell’s development to understand the mechanisms that cause cell shape change.

Gloria Brar – Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

In the Brar and Unal Lab, Professors Elcin Unal and Gloria Brar study the mechanisms and regulation of the meiosis that budding yeast undergo during gametogenesis – or the production of germ cells. The Brar team focuses on characterizing the regulatory mechanisms of gene expression in these simple eukaryotes meiotic cells. A recent paper published in 2021 from the Brar lab used ribosome profiling to measure the amount of proteins active in the ribosome at one time in the budding yeast, and modern day genomics to compare those proteins with the protein coding regions that are typically expected to be conserved in its genome. This research was completed with the intent of filling the gaps in the budding yeasts genome and rethinking the way in which we currently associate genetic conservation across species with gene sequencing reading.

Steven E. Brenner – Professor (Affiliated) of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development

The Brenner research lab has four ongoing research interests. The first area of the lab explores the evolution of genes by altering mRNA in various organisms. The second predicts protein function by using computational analysis. The third studies how antibiotics and other drugs affect the human gut and genes. The last research interest of the lab is creating a complex model for every protein.

Stephen Brohawn – Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

The Brohawn lab is interested in understanding the cellular electrical signals responsible for our ability to sense environmental stimuli, think, learn, memorize, feel, and perform other neural processes. Currently, the lab uses techniques including X-ray crystallography or cryo-EM to study proteins and ion channels involved in force sensation. By understanding the mechanisms that promote electrical neural signaling, the lab aims to identify the ion channels responsible for converting physical forces into cellular electrical signals. These discoveries can allow for the development of new treatments for diseases and methods to improve overall neural health.

Carlos Bustamante – Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Chair, Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

The Bustamante Lab’s primary goal is to explore methods of single-molecule manipulation and detection in order to research biochemical processes of cells such as protein folding, degradation, and recombination. For example, the lab uses optical tweezers which utilize a laser beam to create an attractive or repulsive force, thereby allowing the movement of microscopic material. The lab has also optimized techniques including fluorescence microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and nanopore sequencing.

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Jamie H. D. Cate – Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

The Cate Lab explores how genes are put into action by translation while also developing strategies for making new sequence defined polymers using engineered ribosomes. Within these two main projects, they study Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 3 (eIF3), Ribosome Nascent Chain, stem cells, and Car-T cells. Recently, they have published a paper on Aminobenzoic acid derivatives obstructing induced fit in the catalytic center of the ribosome.

Kathleen Collins – Walter and Ruth Schubert Family Chair, Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

The Collins Lab studies eukaryotic retroelements (internal components of eukarotic genes that are able to amplify to new locations in the genome through an RNA intermediate), their enzyme used for reverse transcription, and the biogenesis and ribonucleoprotein (a family of proteins in the nucleus and cytoplasm that influence the processing of ribonucleic acids) assembly of processed RNA in priming cDNA synthesis. They study site-specific targeting of transgene cDNA insertion (transfering of genes from one organism to another) as a method of genome engineering complementary to CRISPR/Cas. Retrolement reverse transriptases also fascinate them as they have properties they are still discovering and exploiting for RNA-sequencing. Their unique cDNA library production approach is a comprehensive method covering end-to-end RNA sequence inventory of fragmented and damaged RNAs.

Laurent Coscoy – Professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine

The Coscoy lab directs its energy to understanding the molecular mechanisms of immune evasion employed by herpesviruses, a family of large DNA viruses that efficiently produce persistent infections and disease in their host. Two of their current projects focus on induction of NKG2D ligands in infected cells and MHC-I downregulation by Kaposi’s Sarcoma associated Herpesvirus, which both provide the potential for understanding of viral pathogenesis and insights into basic cellular and immunological processes.

Jeffery Cox – C.H. Li Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Endocrinology, Professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine

The Cox Lab mainly studies how bacteria cause tuberculosis. By mapping out different cells, the Cox Lab has identified key characteristics of tuberculosis pathogens and how components of the cell identify these bacteria. This research plays a large role in shaping how the world targets tuberculosis and creates new treatments for the disease.

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Xavier Darzacq – Edward E. Penhoet Distinguished Endowed Chair in Global Health and Infectious Disease, Professor of Molecular Therapeutics

The Tijan-Darzacq lab studies transcription mechanisms and nuclear proteins in mammalian cells. Their organization and localization in the cell are particular topics of interest with one research focus being on how and if multivalency and LDLs affect the concentration of these proteins in the cell. Other projects in the labs focus on LDLs and how they interact to cause cancer causing transcription factors – which was the topic of one of the latest publications out of the lab in 2021.

Abby Dernburg – Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

In the Dernberg lab, the mechanisms of meiotic division such as chromosome segregation and spindle formation are studied using the model organism C. elegans. The lab uses technology that allows for real-time imaging in the model organisms cells during meiosis, and tools such as genome editing and sequencing. The research conducted in the lab is done with the goal of providing insight on errors during meiosis that can cause issues such as Down Syndrome – in which 3 of chromosome 21 are produced in gamete cells. A recent publication from 2018 studied the proteins which allow for chromosome segregation to be directed by crossover location between homologous (identical) chromosomes.

Andrew Dillin – Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine

The Dillin lab focuses on the mechanisms behind aging and found that it’s a synchronized process in between cells with specific signaling pathways for communication. One research focus is the cell’s proteome, or its collection of proteins. They discovered that with age, a cell loses the ability to maintain the proteome in response to stress. Some ways that an organism may lose proteome function is through malfunctioning endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, or inability to resist heat. A resulting question is how cells age synchronously, and what dictates this pathway. The lab has indeed identified that neurons and glia in the central nervous system are major contributors in this signaling pathway.

Jennifer A. Doudna – Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Li Ka Shing Chancellor’s Chair in Biomedical and Health Sciences, Professor of Molecular Therapeutics

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David G. Drubin – Ernette Comby Chair in Microbiology, Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

The Drubin/Barnes Lab is interested in understanding the high-dynamic actin-mediated mechanisms behind membrane trafficking events using mammalian and yeast cells. The approaches employed for these studies include real-time image analysis of live cells, genome-wide functional analyses, genetics, molecular genetics, and biochemistry. The lab also focused on the molecular mechanisms that control the fidelity of mitosis and meiosis and how these proteins function using protein phosphorylation.

Michel DuPage – Assistant Professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine

The DuPage lab aims to study the fundamental mechanisms behind immune responses against tumors, while also reducing health side effects as a way to use the full potential of the immune system to fight cancer. The lab is currently investigating the plasticity of T cells, white blood cells that play a critical role in the immune system, as a way to use it for therapeutics. Through research techniques such as experimental modeling and genetic engineering, the DuPage lab hopes to understand the true nature of the immune system’s interactions with cancer.

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Michael B. Eisen – Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development

The Eisen lab focuses on gene regulation and how changes in gene expression can lead to physiological and behavioral differences in organisms. Through computational and experimental lab work, the lab is currently determining genetic regulation in D. melanogaster (fruit fly) embryo, using fruit fly and yeast data to understand the building blocks of regulatory sequences, analyzing gene expression through fluorescent imaging, and investigating sequences undergoing evolution to understand the fundamentals of the mechanisms behind gene regulation and expression. The Eisen lab ultimately hopes to gain an understanding on gene regulatory information to better identify the function of these sequences, the impact of their mutations, and how they evolve.

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Marla Feller – Paul Licht Distinguished Professor in Biological Sciences, Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

The Feller lab studies how neural circuits are developed, specifically the retina in mice. They have found that there are intermediate stages of development that may lay the groundwork for adult neural circuits. One project involves studying light waves hitting the retina in newborn mice and how that may affect their neural development later, specifically in the dopamine pathways. The Feller lab is also currently recruiting for individuals to research the interaction between photoreceptive neurons in the retina and other sections of the brain. The lab also studies how movement detection works in the retina using imaging, pharmacogenetics, and electrophysiology. They have found that blocking retinal waves prevents these neural pathways from developing correctly. Finally, the lab is looking into glial cell development, which guides sensory signals and wiring throughout the brain. Specifically, this project is interested in the role of glial cells in the retina during development.

Gary Firestone – Professor of the Graduate School, Division of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

The Firestone lab aims to figure out the signaling pathways in cancer cells, specifically epithelial cells (outer layer on the body and covers membranes). Some specific signals they are investigating are steroids, growth factors, as well as dietary and non dietary plant compounds.

Yvette Fisher – Assistant Professor (Affiliated) of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

Fisher’s research centers around the circuits that our brain uses when we use our navigational skills and how we come to understand direction even when obstacles are presented to the brain. The lab aims to use this framework to explore how circuits in the brain function in various states. They do this through testing the fruit fly through mechanisms such as in vivo electrophysiology, where the brain’s electrical activity is measured through electrodes, and through 2-photon imaging, which shows neural activity in the brain. The fruit fly, or Drosophila melanogaster, is used because these flies are particularly good at navigation. Various projects currently underway include studying how our experiences function to alter connections in our brain so we can more readily store information, studying how our circumstances affect how we navigate, and how the large-scale function of neural networks is maintained.

John G. Flannery – Professor of Molecular Therapeutics

Photoreceptor degeneration is a genetic disorder that leads to vision loss through the breakdown of cells that convert light into visual images. The Flannery lab aims to understand the fundamental mechanisms behind the development of photoreceptor degeneration and developing therapies for this condition. So far, the Flannery lab has identified some promising therapeutics which includes the development of retinal cell-specific viral vectors and targeting mutant mRNA products. Additionally, the lab has discovered how the gene transfer of neurotrophic agents, molecules that support the function and growth of neurons, can slow down photoreceptor degradation. Lastly, the Flannery lab hopes to find ways to make gene therapy more efficient and safe in order to treat retinal degradation.

Daniel A. Fletcher – Professor (Affiliated) of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

Professor Fletcher’s research explores how cells function through methods in biophysics, bioengineering, and molecular biology. Specifically, the Fletcher Lab studies the process of cell assembly and applications of this research on medicine and disease. Research topics that the lab focuses on include studying how the forces that cells face directly impact how they function together. This is being explored through studying the mechanisms of how membranes and cytoskeleton move and react to physical force. Another research topic is investigating how immune cells physically determine when they come into contact with an immune cell versus their target. The lab is uncovering the mechanisms behind these interactions and how this knowledge can be applied to medicine. Finally, the lab is exploring how infectious and chronic diseases can be diagnosed using new technologies in order to help increase low-cost, accessible healthcare options.

Meng-meng Fu – Assistant Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

Glial cells are cells that support and protect neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The Fu lab studies these cells better in order to understand development and disease in the central nervous system. One focus of this lab is in oligodendrocytes, a kind of glial cell that produces myelin, a protective layer for neurons. They are researching how microtubules organize themselves in these cells and partner with other protein complexes. Importantly, they are observing how accumulation of abnormal microtubules can lead to neurodegenerative disease. Another focus of the lab is regarding mRNA transport in oligodendrocytes, and what other factors affect the central dogma in these cells. These two projects are applied in researching leukodystrophies, a genetic condition that involves insufficient myelination.

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Hernan G. Garcia – Associate Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development

The Garcia Lab is using physics, synthetic biology, and new technology to question and control developmental decisions of a single cell in the fruit fly embryo. They hope to uncover the rules of cell division to predict and manipulate developmental programs just by looking at the DNA sequence.

Britt Glaunsinger – Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Professor of Molecular Therapeutics

The Glaunsinger lab researches how viruses can change the expression of genes in mammalian cells. They want to understand how the cell can be reshaped to allow for viral replication as well as how the cell can respond to a virus. The Glaunsinger lab primarily uses herpes viruses to understand these changes.

Andrea Gomez – Assistant Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

Professor Gomez’s lab aims to understand the organization of neural networks using electrophysiology, functional imaging, and molecular biology and potentially fix the current lack of understanding about solutions to psychiatric disorders. The focus is on mechanisms that are related to specific synaptic properties and how they differ from the sequence of information processing by neurons. Her lab works on examining the synaptic dysfunctions in autism, intellectual disability, and the degeneration of neurons.

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Iswar Hariharan – Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, William V. Power Chair in Biology and American Cancer Society Research Professor, Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

The Hariharan Lab is interested in studying the mechanisms that regulate growth of individual cells and the entire organism during development. They are also fascinated in the regeneration of damaged tissues. The lab uses genetic studies in the fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster, to identify genes involved in growth, cell proliferation (increase in cells due to cell growth and division), and cell death. Their studies have discovered some key regulators of tissue growth in Drosophila and identified genes that are mutated in human cancers.

Richard Harland – Dean of Biological Sciences, Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development

Professor Harland’s research explores the process of vertebrate development on a molecular scale. Their lab uses the amphibian Xenopus and the mouse as model organisms for this work. Since the embryos of Xenopus are large and easy to make changes to, various tests can be performed on these organisms in order to better understand how their genes function to guide development. Various projects currently being explored in the lab include understanding how the structure, signaling, and organisation of neural plate, a key part of the embryo, functions molecularly, how cells function to allow embryonic tissues to turn into a tadpole shape, how the genetics and genomics of the Xenopus model organism functions, and how BMP antagonists, or bone morphogenetic protein antagonists, work in mouse development.

Eva Harris – Professor (Affiliated) of Immunology and Molecular Medicine

The Harris Lab has developed a multidisciplinary approach to study dengue, Zika, and chikungunya—the most prevalent mosquito-borne diseases in humans. They investigate viral and host factors that modulate disease severity and immune correlates of protection and pathogenesis, using in vitro approaches, animal models, and research involving human populations. A few of their current projects focus on Antibody and B cell responses and correlates of protection, systems immunology profiling of the innate response, and viral evolution, fitness, and intra-host diversity.

Lin He – Thomas and Stacey Siebel Distinguished Chair in Stem Cell Research, Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

The Lin Lab studies the biological functions of the non-coding genome, the parts of the genome that do not code for proteins, on development and disease. While these non-coding components were once thought of as “junk DNA”, their function has proven to be much more significant. The lab aims to understand the fundamental molecular mechanisms behind embryo development, stem cell biology, and cancer biology by investigating non-coding RNA. Through research techniques such as CRISPR and advanced imaging, the Lin lab has provided more insight on the functions of non-coding RNAs.

Rebecca Heald – Flora Lamson Hewlett Chair, Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

The Heald Lab explores cell division and size control using cytoplasmic extracts from eggs of the frog Xenopus laevis that reconstruct mitotic chromosome condensation and spindle formation and function in vitro. They have used Xenopus tropicalis, a smaller frog, to study interspecies scaling, and used extracts from fertilized eggs at different stages of the development of the embryo to study developmental scaling. The research has provided new insight on cell division and shaping of an organism through differentiation, both areas that are important in the studies of human diseases such as cancer. The lab hopes to provide new understandings about the principles of spindle assembly and biological size control in addition to the molecular variations that contribute to mutations and evolution.

Dirk Hockemeyer – C.H. and Annie Li Chair in Molecular Biology of Diseases, Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

The Hockemeyer lab aims to shed light on the functions of telomeres and telomerase in tissue homeostasis, formation of tumors and aging. Telomeres and telomerase are essential to the genetic share during replication and disruption during this process is associated with cancer and aging. The lab uses genetic mouse models to gain insight into how the telomere evades recognition by the DNA-damage machinery, the consequences of telomerase loss, and how the single stranded telomeric overhang is created. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) are the ideal model system to study telomerase regulation since they are cells where telomerase is active, but can be differentiated into cells where telomerase is inactive. The lab has successfully overexpressed or silenced genes, corrected disease-causing mutations, and engineered genes to a regulatory sequence of a gene of interest in hPSCs.

James Hurley – Kirsch Springer Chair in Biological Sciences, Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

The Hurley Lab’s interests include: how interactions between proteins and membranes determine cell and organelle shape and the evolution of shape over time, how protein-membrane interactions turn on and off the signals that control essential cell processes, and how pathogens like HIV-1 overthrow and adopt these interactions. The lab uses structural approaches including x-ray crystallography, hyrogen-deuterium exchange, cryo-electron microscopy, and cryo-electron tomography to reveal the structures and dynamics of the membrane-interating proteins. The reconstruction and biophysical study of membrane remodeling pathways in synthetic membrane systems is of high importance in the lab.

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Nicholas Ingolia – Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

The Ingolia lab is interested in how cells control the translation and stability of mRNAs in the cytosol, and how this regulation fulfills important biological functions. They study the functions of post-transcriptional regulation in a range organisms using high-throughput and unbiased technologies.The lab has recently developed APEX-seq, a proximity labeling strategy for learing the composition and organization of ribonucleoprotein complexes, which was a major part of their 2019 paper.

Ehud Isacoff – Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

Professor Isacoff’s research explores how ion channels, neurotransmitter receptors, and voltage-gated enzymes function. The processes of synaptic transmission, modulation, and homeostatic plasticity are also studied. In order to achieve this, the lab develops optical methods to visualize how relevant structures are organized. Additionally, chemical optogenetics are used, in which ion channels and GPCRs are selectively activated or blocked. Super-resolution methods are also used in order to visualize how neurons communicate with each other. All of these topics are studied in relation to molecular mechanisms of synaptic signaling proteins in various contexts, and their applications to medicine. Current projects include using various techniques to understand how gating at cell membranes functions, using novel imaging techniques to study molecular mechanisms in which postsynaptic adjustment of the brain’s synaptic receptors and signaling into the presynaptic cells mediates how neurotransmitters are released. The lab also focuses on creating new chemical optogenetics which can provide a window into many of the brain’s functions and processes.

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Gary Karpen – Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

Professor Karpen’s lab studies inheritance of genes, the structure of chromatin, or the makeup of chromosomes, how genes are expressed or translated into characteristics, and finally how chromosomes, which store genes, are organized in our cells’ nucleus. Their object of study is the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, which they use to explore the previously mentioned topics in genetic, molecular, cell biological, and biochemical ways. These studies have also been expanded to human chromosomes. Three directions that Karpen’s lab is pursuing includes an exploration of the molecular characteristics of centromeres that impact their function and identity. Centromeres are the section of the chromosome where chromosomes are separated from each other during cell division and they are crucial to ensuring effective cell division. The lab is studying how our genes allow for just one region of the chromosome to latch onto microtubules of the spindle fiber, or structures that pull chromosomes apart during cell division. Another project the lab is studying aims to understand, on a molecular and genetic level, the function of proteins that are responsible for the organization of the nucleus of a cell. Finally, the lab is working towards unraveling the genetic code for heterochromatin, a type of inactive DNA in our chromosomes, as its function is still widely not understood.

Nicole King – Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development

The King lab uses choanoflagellate cells to study the evolutionary genomic biology of animal cells. They use techniques such as genome sequencing and cryo-electron microscopy to characterize the genome and function of the choanoflagellates they study. This is done with the focus of mapping back to the unicellular organisms that evolved into the animal cells of today. In one of their recent publications, they used choanoflagellates to study the evolutionary immune system of animals.

David Kirn – Adjunct Professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine

Dr. Kirn works with 4d Molecular Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company aiming to treat genetic disease using targeted gene therapy. The company produces vectors to deliver medicine to targeted tissues. 4DMT has been working to use viruses as vectors for therapy, with the help from their cutting edge software “Directed Evolution”. This novel technology allows for scientists and doctors to deliver medicine straight to desired tissues, while being able to control timing and dosage.

Arash Komeili – Professor (Affiliated) of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

The Komeili Lab is interested in organelle formation in bacteria. They use the magnetosome organelles of magnetotactic bacteria as a model to understand the molecular mechanisms of compartmentalization and biomineral production and have recently begun the ferrosomes in some bacteria. In 2022, they published a paper discussing how McaA and McaB control the dynamic positioning of a bacterial magnetic organelle.

Doug Koshland – Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development

The Koshland lab is focused on studying yeast to gain more knowledge on the fundamental molecular mechanisms of cell biology, specifically high order chromosome structure and genome integrity. High order chromosome structure is the organization of the genome into more compact chains, while genome integrity investigates the cell’s ability to prevent DNA damage. Through techniques of cell biology and the development of genetic reagents, the lab aims to explore how high order chromosome structure is maintained by looking at how DNA is tethered and how misrepaired DNA and the rearrangement of chromosomes may be associated with the development of cancer.

Richard H. Kramer – Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

Professor Kramer’s research focuses on using new chemical tools that use light to alter ion channels and synaptic proteins. In this way, he is able to study neuronal activity in the brain in a non-invasive way. Different parts of the brain are observed, such as the brain, the spinal cord, and the retina, which is the part of the brain that processes light. All of this is done to better understand the purpose and function of ion channels and synaptic proteins with applications to medicine where light is used to introduce signals in the brain downstream of injury sites. Projects in progress include a search for photoswitch compounds that can bind to ion channels or receptor proteins to reveal aspects of their function. Additionally, new methods are being developed to understand how the retina responds to light. Photoswitch compounds are also used to control dendrites in neurons to see how they can be excited and impact neuronal signals.

John Kuriyan – Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Adjunct Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

The Kuriyan Lab uses biochemical, biophysical, structural, and cell biological analyses to explain and study how the mechanisms in cellular signal transduction evolve. The lab focuses on the allosteric communication that allows proteins to respond to input signals and they have used mutational analysis to determine the sensitivity of the mechanisms to understand the regulation and specificity of the molecular principles. They have advanced the understanding of the regulation of several signaling proteins (Ras activator SOS and CaMKII which is an oligomeric kinase that plays a central role in neuronal signaling). The lab also determined the structures of the clamp-loader, a pentameric ATPases of the AAA+ family that ensures DNA replication, and the sliding clamp (a bind for DNA polymerases to prevent it from dissociating from the template DNA). The lab hopes to understand the function of AAA+ ATPases that form on the clamp-loader.

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Liana Lareau – Assistant Professor (Affiliated) of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development

Post-transcriptional processes are the changes that occur to RNA after it is transcribed from DNA but before it is translated into a protein. The Lareau lab is interested in studying post-transcriptional regulation and how this relates to the control of gene expression. Through computational and high-throughput experiments, the lab hopes to understand translation regulation and splicing. Both of these processes are important in diversifying the genome and controlling gene expression. In understanding the mechanisms behind regulation and splicing, the Lareau lab hopes to answer questions on codon choice and how misregulation can cause disease.

Samantha Lewis – Assistant Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes functional RNAs and proteins that are critical for the production of ATP. Defects in mtDNA would cause hereditary metabolic diseases that impact the brain, muscle, and heart. It is also linked to cancer and innate immune response. The Lewis Lab uses quantitative imaging, genetics and systems biology approaches in hopes of revealing mechanisms that ensure mtDNA integrity and inheritance in metazoans. They hope to understand how mtDNA replication is regulated since proper mtDNA replication is key in maintaining a characteristic number of mtDNA copies in bone marrow, placenta, and specifically the brain, where cells increase mitochondrial numbers and turnover continue.

Lorenzo Lones – Assistant Professor of Teaching, Division of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

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Bronwyn Lucas – Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

Professor Lucas’ research uses and refines novel technologies in order to study molecular mechanisms. Cryo-EM has been the most prevalent technique for imaging molecules as it can be used for a wide variety of molecules. Newer machine learning algorithms including 2Alphafold2 have an enhanced ability to predict protein structures based only on their amino acid sequences. Projects in the Lucas lab include using cryo-EM to see how factors in ribosome assembly function visually, in order to connect molecule structure of these factors to their location in the cell. The lab wants to specifically explore this in the context of a biological pathway in yeast. Additionally, the lab is improving methods for FIB-milling, which is a technique that thins cryogenically frozen cells that are too large to see on image when using cryo-EM.

Ellen Lumpkin – Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

The Lumpkin lab studies how our somatosensory system tells our brain about the forces, temperatures, and chemicals affecting our bodies all of the time. They are working on discovering the molecular basis behind how these environmental stimuli are transformed into signals in our brains. The lab focuses on the transduction mechanisms that cause feelings of touch and pain. While touch seems like a basic sense, it is actually very complex and incorporates many aspects such as stretching, pressure, hair movements, and vibration. These function through touch-sensitive neurons on the body surface. Lumpkin’s research is in the process of finding various tools to understand the molecular mechanisms behind sensory transduction in the Merkel cell-neurite complex, a light touch receptor. Specific projects include understanding the molecular mechanism behind mammalian somatosensory system cell differentiation, understanding the biophysics behind touch receptors and ion channels in mammals, and characterizing the brain activity involved in physiology related to touch.

Kunxin Luo – Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

Professor Luo is interested in using in vitro mechanistic studies in tissue culture cells and biological analyses of in vivo mouse models to understand how disruption of normal signaling leads to developmental defects and human cancer. Prof. Leo specifically studies signal transduction pathways that are linked to development and cancer.

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Thomas Mann – Assistant Professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine

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Michael Marletta – Class of 1936 Chair, Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

The Marletta lab studies protein function and enzyme reaction mechanisms. They hope to find molecular answers to complex functions in biology. Some of their current research includes nitric oxie signaling in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, molecular mechanisms of gas sensing, and mechanisms and functions of polysaccharide monooxygenses.

Susan Marqusee – Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

The Marqusee lab studies the structural and dynamic information encoded in linear sequence of amino acids. They hope to understand the transformation from one-dimensinoal proteins to three-dimensional shapes. The lab uses biophysical, structural and computational techniques to help in their studies. Understanding protein sequence determinants helps us comprehend proteins’ changing conformations and shape.

Megan Martik – Assistant Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development

The neural crest is an important stem cell population in the embryo and it can differeinctiate into cardiomyocites, craniofacial skeleton, and the peripheral nervous system. The Martik lab is interested in understanding the regulatory networks that control the neural crest from a multipotent stem cell population to unique derivatives. They also try to find out how the networks are used during adult repair processes, how they are dysregulated by diseases, and how they evolve to become new structures.

Andreas Martin – Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

Proteins in the cell are broken down by enzymes called ATP-dependent compartmental proteases, molecules that transfer ATP energy into work through collaboration with other enzymes. The Martin Lab focuses its research on the 26S proteasome, which is a very important ATP-dependent protease in our cells. Current projects being worked on include exploring how ATP hydrolysis and substrate translocation works, better understanding how coupling functions in relation to these enzymes, and how the timing of processes conducted by these enzymes influences degradation.

Sabeeha Merchant – BBS Division Head, Warren C. Eveland Endowed Chair in the Biological Sciences, Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

Professor Merchant’s research focuses on studying how trace-metals like copper, zinc, iron, and manganese function. Specifically, her lab uses methods such as genetics, transcriptomics, proteomics, elemental analysis, and high-resolution metal imaging in order to study these trace-metal’s effects on metabolism in the green alga species Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. At the same time, Professor Merchant’s research utilizes comparative genomics as a way to expand these discoveries and expand them to the entire green algal lineage. Specific projects the lab is working on include understanding how homeostatic mechanisms controlling trace-metal levels function, allowing the body to contain enough trace-metal for our cells to work but not so much that they cause danger due to their high reactivity. Additionally, sequencing technology and computational methods are being used to understand the metabolism of a diverse set of algae species and that of their ancestors. Finally, algal-bacterial interactions are being researched through a variety of genomics techniques.

Barbara Meyer – Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development

Professor Meyer’s research centers around understanding how the structures of chromosomes play a role in their function. Specifically, her work studies how these chromosomes behave in developmental stages in order to enable the stability of genomes and normal decisions for cell fate. Professor Meyer’s research does this through looking at interrelated molecular networks controlling these varied chromosome behaviors and using genetic, genomic, proteomic, biochemical, and cell biology approaches to examine this in Caenorhabditis elegans. Specific projects include understanding how minuscule differences in concentration of molecular signals turn into very specific and different outcomes in development, studying the C. elegans dosage compensation complex (DCC) which is important to developmental behavior, and researching how condensin subunits work together with the DCC complex to help regulate gene expression.

Craig T. Miller – GGED Division Head, Judy Chandler Webb Endowed Chair in the Biological Sciences, Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development

The Craig Miller Lab explores how patterns during development and changes during evolution occur. The lab specifically focuses on the vertebrate head of the skeleton through genetic tools in the threespine stickleback fish. This species is used because it has a lot of skeletal head adaptation. This is all used in order to discover the genetics behind of craniofacial and dental pattern and how changing genes result in different morphologies. Specific projects being explored include studying the genetics and developmental biology of head skeletal evolution and parallel evolution.

Evan Miller – Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

The Evan Miller Lab focuses on developing molecular tools to study neuroscience. Their main goal is to understand how the structure affects the function and activity of neurons. By utilizing imagine techniques, the Miller Lab has been able to understand the role of brain activity in diseases. The Miller Lab has been able to trace brain activity by capturing and recording neuron activity to piece together and understand neural activity as a whole.

Priya Moorjani – Associate Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development

The Moorjani Lab uses statistical and computational biology to study human evolutionary genetics. They have studied germline mutations throughout human evolution and use pedigree analysis to study the rate of those mutations in primates and humans over time. In one of the recent publications from the lab, DATES – the lab’s computational technology that tracks species covariance patterns across generations – was used to chronicle the neolithic evolution that occurred throughout the European continent between 6000 BC and 4000 BC.

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Ahmad Nabhan – Assistant Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

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Dipti Nayak – Assistant Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development

Since not much is known about the biology and physiology of archaea because we do not have good model organisms to study them, the Nayak lab focuses on using methanogenic archaea to model and research various aspects of archaea. This includes methanogenesis, which is a trait that archaea is known for, methane production leading to growth and energy conservation. The Nayak lab is creating tools to study the methanogenic archaea of the genus Methanosarcina.

David Nguyen – Assistant Professor (Affiliated) of Immunology and Molecular Medicine

The Nguyen lab is interested in exploring how mutations can cause human disease and developing gene therapies to treat patients with Primary Immunodeficiency (PID), which is an inherited disorder where the immune system does not function properly. Some of the main obstacles facing the treatment of PID is the inability to distinguish the damaging mutations from benign genome sequences. Thus, the Nguyen lab hopes to use gene editing technology to create models of diseases. The lab is currently focused on mapping pathogenetic variants, understanding if a mutation is truly disease-causing, and developing tools to deliver drugs for gene editing of human cells.

Eva Nogales – Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

The Nogales Lab is focused on gaining mechanistic insight into the cell machinery in the control of gene expression and cytoskeleton interactions and dynamics in cell division. To gain a molecular understanding of their systems of interest, the lab uses state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and image analysis, as well as biochemical and biophysical assays. As of right now, the lab is focused on three key projects: identifying the structural basis and regulation of microtubules dynamic instability, the regulation of gene expression through transcription initiation, adn the regulation of gene expression through gene silencing by PRC2.

Daniel K. Nomura – Professor of Molecular Therapeutics

“Undruggable” proteins are proteins that do not possess an obvious binding pocket for medicines and drugs to target, which makes it difficult for drug therapies to be effective. The Nomura lab aims to advance the use of drug therapies by targeting “undruggable” proteins with chemoproteomic platforms, which are tools used to chemically understand protein structure and function. The Nomura lab is focused on three projects: mapping out molecules that could potentially bind to these “undruggable” proteins, using targeted protein degradation (TPD) to destroy proteins that cause disease, and discovering methods beyond TPD by bringing together many different enzymes and proteins to promote new therapeutic functions in the cell. So far, the Nomura lab has been successful in discovering over 100,000 binding sites for cancer-related proteins and developing proteins that could target highly “undruggable” sites.

James Nuñez – Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

The epigenome is a collection of chemical changes that regulate gene expression in DNA without changing its actual sequence. For example, regulation can include switching “on” or “off” a gene as a way to control gene expression. The Nuñez lab aims to understand the fundamental principles behind epigenetics. Specifically, the Nuñez lab seeks to discover and develop CRISPR technologies for programming of gene expression, fundamental functions of DNA methylation and the development of disease, and how epigenetics are maintained during cell division.

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Molly Ohainle – Assistant Professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine

To study infection outcomes as a result of host-viral protein reactions, the Ohainle lab focuses on functional genomics and molecular virology as tools. They are interested in developing “massively parallel” approaches to identifying key molecular interactions and utilizing CRISPR screening methods to advance their work in understanding the human pathogen HIV and related retroviruses as a model for broader host/pathogen biology. Recently, they have identified that the primate gene TRIM34 is a broad-acting, lentiviral restriction factor in their 2023 paper.

James Olzmann – Professor of Molecular Therapeutics

The Olzmann lab is interested in exploring cellular lipid homeostasis and regulation. This is important as lipid dysregulation can lead to diseases such as degenerative diseases and cancer. Using technology such as CRISPR-Cas 9, proteomics, chemical biology, and cell biology tools, the lab hopes to explain lipotoxicity, which is lipid accumulation that negatively disrupts cellular processes, and ferroptosis, which is cell death linked to degeneration and cancer therapy. Furthermore, the lab is researching the regulation and mechanisms of lipid droplets and the mediation of communication between organelles in cells. The Olzmann lab hopes that in studying the fundamental mechanisms behind lipids, new therapeutics can be developed to combat lipid dysregulation.

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Eunyong Park – Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

The Park Lab focuses on understanding what happens to protein after translation. Many proteins leave the cell through transporters in the membrane, but most proteins relocate to organelles within the cell using translocases (enzymes for transport). The way these enzymes selectively recognize the protein as well as move them through membranes is not fully understood. The Lab is currently focusing on finding structures for various proteins that aid in translation in the Endoplasmic Reticulum, as well as structures for proteins involved in the mitochondria.

Margaux Pinney – Assistant Professor (Affiliated) of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

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Daniel Portnoy – Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

The Portnoy Lab is focused on the interaction of the facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes and its mammalian host. Some of their currently research includes characterizing the essential virulence factor for L. monocytogenes, understanding its regulation of virulence gene expression, and developing a knowledge of the interaction of L. monocytogenes with the innate immune system.

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Michael Rape – MTx Division Head, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Dr. K. Peter Hirth Endowed Chair in Cancer Research, Professor of Molecular Therapeutics

The Rape Lab focuses on ubiquitin, a small protein that attaches onto others, marking them for degradation or signaling. This process has many implications in disease and development. Some other focuses of the lab are protein misfolding, complex misformation, and redox regulation within cells. The lab is currently working on the role of ubiquitous protein in stress response, specifically in enabling ATP production. Other projects include degrading mutated proteins and misfolded ubiquitin, which may have roles in neurodegenerative disease. This lab also has had many collaborations with Genentech and many projects that tie into drug development research.

David Raulet – Professor of the Graduate School, Division of Immunology and Molecular Medicine

Natural killer cells and T cells play a key role in the immune system by targeting abnormal cells. Through the use of natural killer cells and T cells, the Raulet lab aims to understand the mechanisms behind cancer cell recognition and how these cells are able to inhibit responses from the immune system. So far, the Raulet lab has used their understanding of natural killer cells to boost natural killer cell activity, while also preventing its inhibition, which has proved promising in their efforts to improve upon immunotherapies for cancer.

Filipa Rijo-Ferreira – Assistant Professor (Affiliated) of Immunology and Molecular Medicine

The Rijo-Ferreira Lab researches the circadian rhythms of parasites, specifically in finding if parasites only follow rhythms because of their hosts or if it’s an intrinsic property. Their research has shown that the parasite responsible for sleeping sickness has an intrinsic time-keeping ability, which is the first time an obligatory single celled protist parasite has been observed with this ability. In malaria, the Rijo Ferreira lab has shown that the malaria parasites also have circadian rhythms of their own, but often depend on the host to synchronize with other parasites. Finally, the lab is also conducting research on how circadian rhythms could affect human responses to infectious disease. They argue that administering drugs or vaccinations at different times of day could affect our response to treatment.

Donald Rio – Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

The Rio Lab is focused on the fundamental mechanisms behind genetics, disease, and evolution. While many components of the genome were once thought of as “junk DNA”, their function has proven to be much more significant. Specifically, the lab is investigating transposable DNA elements and pre-mRNA splicing, which are processes that help diversify the expression of genes. Through the study of the transposable P element family, the lab is using a variety of proteomic and chemical approaches to understand the mechanism behind transposable elements. Additionally, the Rio lab is also interested in pre-mRNA splicing and its relationship to gene regulation and the development of organism complexity through evolution.

Ellen Robey – IMM Division Head, Professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine

The Robey Lab is interested in how signaling pathways control cell fate decisions. They use T cell development and immune responses in mouse model systems and 2-photon imaging to develop an understanding of mammalian immune systems similar to humans and observe T cell behavior in real time in-situ. Currently, the lab is studying the control of T cell fate in the thymus and the immune response to parasitic infection from the intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii.

Daniel S. Rokhsar – Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development

The Rokhsar Lab is interested in using computational genome analysis and comparative biology to understand evolutionary origins and diversity. Specifically, the lab analyzes the conservation of gene structure and content across different animals and their relatives. Furthermore, neural system development is also studied in hopes of uncovering gene sets that lead to neural organization diversity. Lastly, the lab is also investigating spiralian development and evolution using molluscs and annelids due to evolutionary patterns that have been conserved for over 540 million years.

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David Savage – Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

The Savage Lab is focused on understanding the biochemistry of the cell, specifically photosynthetic CO2 fixation, an essential process for photosynthesis. The goal of the lab is to understand the mechanisms behind photosynthesis in order to use genome editing technologies to improve photosynthetic CO2 fixation. The lab’s current projects include understanding CO2 assimilation using cyanobacteria and protein compartments, developing tools to understand protein mechanisms in a cellular context, and improving upon genetic engineering to make it more precise and efficient.

Robert Saxton – Assistant Professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine

The Saxon Lab studies the mechanisms of intercellular signaling that control tissue inflammation, repair, and homeostasis, with the goal of developing new therapeutics to control these pathways in disease. They use cutting edge approaches in protein engineering (directed evolution, rational design), structural biology (cryo-EM), receptor pharmacology, and mouse models of inflammation to understand and control inflammatory signaling at the atomic, cellular, and organismal levels. Their current projects include: finding the resolution of inflammation, understanding the mechanisms of immune-mediated tissue repair, and researching the metabolic signals that modulate immune function.

David Schaffer – Professor of Molecular Therapeutics

Stem cells can differentiate into a variety of cells to perform different functions. They are especially known for their ability to “self-renew” themselves, which plays an important role in function throughout the body. The Schaffer Lab works with adult neural stem cells and human pluripotent stem cells to learn more about the regulation of stem cells. Through a combination of engineering and biology, the lab is investigating biochemical signaling on stem cell differentiation, along with understanding stem cell relationships with natural tissues using synthetic materials. Lastly, the lab is also exploring gene therapy by engineering a novel approach to carry therapeutic genes into cells.

Randy Schekman – Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

The Schekman Lab focuses on understanding cellular membrane assembly and vesicle transportation among organelles in eukaryotic cells. They utilize principles understood in yeast cells, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, to understand diseases related to protein transportation in human cells. The Schekman Lab has developed assays to track protein transport to the endoplasmic reticulum as well as the Golgi apparatus of the cell.

Alanna Schepartz – CZ and Irmgard Distinguished Chair of Chemistry, Professor of Molecular Therapeutics

The Schepartz Lab focuses on understanding scientific questions that require an interdisciplinary understanding of both chemistry and biology. They look for knowledge about the chemistry of complex cellular processes and apply this knowledge to design or discover molecules using the tools of organic synthesis, biochemistry, biophysics, and structural, molecular, and synthetic biology in our work. One of their many projects is exploring and improving novel tools for trafficking proteins to the cytosol and nucleus for therapeutic application.

Kimberley Seed – Associate Professor (Affiliated) of Immunology and Molecular Medicine

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Max Staller – Assistant Professor in Residence of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development

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Sarah A. Stanley – Richard and Rhoda Goldman Distinguished Chair, Associate Professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine

The Stanley Lab studies innate and adaptive immune responses to the bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). They are focused on understanding why the innate immune response is not enough to truly fight off the pathogen and identifying what immune responses are useful to develop new vaccine and immune modifying therapeutics. Additionally, they study host-pathogen interactions from a bacterial perspective using genetics. Some of their current projects include: how host derived metabolites contribute to the antimicrobial functions of macrophages and Th17 immunity to mycobacterial infection.

Peter Sudmant – Associate Professor (Affiliated) of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development

The Sudmant Lab studies the genetics and mechanisms of aging and evolution in various animals. First, to study aging, the lab uses rockfish cells and comparative genomics to find out what factors affect longevity in different species. They also study how stress can affect aging through RNAseq, genotyping and ribosome sequencing on various tissue types. The lab also studies genetic architecture and how evolution has brought about the complexities of the human genome. They also expand this to inter species diversity and use RNA sequencing and novel sequencing to uncover these mysteries.

Ian Swinburne – Assistant Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

Hydraulic control is vital for sense of hearing, vision, and the maintenance of brain ventricles, kidney, and lymphatic vessels. The goal of the Swinburne Lab is to investigate the fundamental mechanisms behind hydraulic control in regards to cell biology with a focus on epithelial tissues, which are tissues that allow for the compartmentalization of internal environments for organs. Using live imaging, gene editing, and an understanding of cell and developmental biology, the Swinburne lab ultimately hopes to learn more about organ function and the development of therapeutics.

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Denis Titov – Assistant Professor (Affiliated) of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

The Titov Lab is interested in quantitatively understanding metabolic pathways and molecular mechanisms behind aging. Specifically, the lab is using the knowledge gained of metabolic enzymes and how these enzymes help maintain homeostasis in cells. Through this investigation, the lab hopes to predict human metabolism in any cell pathway and how to respond to these mechanisms. Furthermore, the lab studies model organisms such as nematode C. elegans to identify potential environmental conditions, genetic mutations, and small molecules that could extend human lifespans.

Robert Tjian – Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Li Ka Shing Chancellor’s Chair in Biology, Professor of Molecular Therapeutics

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Elçin Ünal – Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development

In the Unal and Brar lab, Professors Elcin Unal and Gloria Brar study the mechanisms and regulation of the meiosis that budding yeast undergo during gametogenesis – or the production of germ cells. The Unal team focuses on cellular rejuvenation, chromosome segregation and mRNA based gene repression throughout the meiotic event. A recent paper published in 2019 focused on discovering the ways in which the cell eliminates age-related damage that surrounds its DNA during meiosis so it can ensure the gametes formed are healthy. By researching the mechanisms in which this occurs, the lab hopes to find others that can fight aging related damage in other cells.

Srigokul Upadhyayula (Gokul) – Assistant Professor in Residence of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

Professor Upadhyayula works on the Advanced Bioimaging Center (ABC), a global project that will house pre-commercial cutting edge technology, such as the next-generation Adaptive Optical Multi-functional Lattice Light-Sheet Microscope. This microscope changes the scale and timing at which we observe specimens, as it’s able to attain much greater magnitudes than before and observe for multiple days at a time. A major challenge is to interpret and organize the data coming from the microscope, so his affiliated lab is working on using AI to help biologists streamline their research.

Fyodor Urnov – Professor of Molecular Therapeutics

The Urnov lab is interested in investigating Mendelian, neurodegenerative, and infectious diseases through the use and development of CRISPR-based genome editing techniques. Current projects include advancing therapeutics for errors of immunity, Huntington’s disease, leukoencephalopathy, which is a disease that affects white brain matter, and viral upper respiratory infection. Ultimately, the Urnov lab hopes to expand access of therapies for genetic diseases.

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Russell Vance – Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, Professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine

The Vance Lab is interested in understanding the complex relationship between pathogens and host cells, specifically answering questions on how pathogens can sense hosts, how pathogenic bacteria can be distinguished between harmless bacteria, and how pathogens have evolved to go against the innate immune system. The lab is focused on a variety of projects. For example, they are currently looking into inflammasomes, which are complex proteins that assemble upon detection of bacteria and Shigella flexneri, which is an intestinal pathogen. Lastly, the lab is looking into the evolutionary origins of the innate immune system, innate immune sensing, and applying their understanding of innate immunity to learn more about Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

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Allon Wagner – Assistant Professor of Immunology and Molecular Medicine

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David Weisblat – Professor of the Graduate School, Division of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

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Matthew Welch – Department Co-Chair, Francis Williams Chair in Biological Sciences, Professor of Cell Biology, Development and Physiology

The Welch lab is interested in understanding how pathogens target host cells during infection to learn more about the fundamental molecular mechanisms behind infectious diseases. Current projects include researching observing how a large variety of pathogens interact with the cytoskeleton, how pathogens interact with cell membranes during invasion, and lastly discovering drug therapeutics that can be used to target the cytoskeleton of parasites. So far, through chemical biology, cell biology, and molecular biology techniques, the lab has revealed key features of cellular processes in the cytoskeleton, membrane, and cell cycle control.

Noah Whiteman – Professor of Genetics, Genomics, Evolution, and Development

The Whiteman lab is interested in how adaptations arise on a genetic basis, specifically through bottom-up forces (chemical defenses by plants) and top-down forces (parasites and predators). The lab focuses on toxins and its impact on evolution using techniques from biochemistry, cell biology, metabolomics, and neuroscience. Projects include studying the fruit fly and other relatives of fruit flies to understand plant specialization. The toxins with which these insects interact are important and can intersect with studies of neurological disorders. Additional projects include studies on monarch butterflies and understanding transmitted genes from bacteria to insects.

Ross Wilson – Assistant Adjunct Professor of Molecular Therapeutics

The Wilson lab focuses on engineering genome editing enzymes for cell-targeted delivery using CRISPR and Cas9. They are working to develop genome-editing enzymes that are readily internalized by cells and develop a workflow for targeted delivery of these enzymes, maximizing precision. Currently, the lab is working on three main projects: liver-targeted delivery, delivery targeted to T cells or hematopoietic stem cells, and improved genome editing in the brain or the lung.

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Ahmet Yildiz – Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology

The Yildiz lab seeks to understand how cells organize their cellular components as well as their techniques for movement and motility. Motor proteins aid in the organization of cellular components through transportation. By utilizing biophysical and biochemical methods to better understand the mechanisms proteins use to move quickly on microtubules. They are also interested in understanding protein motor and cargo specificity. Additionally, the Yildiz lab utilizes cryoelectron microscopy modeling techniques to study the mechanism of protein transport along microtubules.

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Ziyang Zhang – Assistant Professor (Affiliated) of Molecular Therapeutics

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Roberto Zoncu – Esther and Wendy Schekman Chair in Basic Cancer Biology, Professor of Molecular Therapeutics

The Zoncu Lab seeks to understand how nutrients can regulate growth and homeostasis and how that information can play a larger role in aging and susceptibility of diseases such as cancer, diabetes and neurodegeneration. Using advanced live cell microscopy, in vitro biochemical assays, and high throughput protein and metabolite profiling, they are able to understand more about the lysosomes they use as their model system. Two of their current projects include studying mechanisms of nutrient signal integration at the lysosome and studying inter-organelle communication in metabolic control.

Bob Zucker – Professor of the Graduate School, Division of Molecular and Cell Biology

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