The Gerhard laboratory studies aging and diseases related to aging including heart disease, metabolic disease, and cancer.  Projects include DNA sequencing of patient samples to identify mutations and other changes related to heart disease and cancer, and DNA sequencing of animal species that can live for hundred years or more.  The laboratory is also developing novel diagnostic tests.

The Chong laboratory has research interests in liposomal therapeutics, planar membrane technology, membrane lateral organization and dynamics, and the uses of fluorescence spectroscopy and high-pressure methodology as well as other biophysical tools for membrane studies. The Chong group provided the first evidence for cholesterol superlattice formation, pioneered fluorescence studies of membranes under pressure, and unraveled unusual physiochemical properties of archaea tetraether lipid membranes. His current research is focused on developing novel antithrombotic liposomes (DPAL).

The Gamero Lab studies how inflammation and environmental factors contribute to inflammatory bowel disease and cancers of the colon and liver.  A major focus is the protein STAT2, which the lab has shown plays an important role in gut inflammation and can influence cancer in different ways, either suppressing or promoting tumor growth. The lab uses models that reflect real-world conditions, simulating unhealthy diets, long-term inflammation, and metabolic stress. By uncovering key steps that drive inflammation and cancer, the lab aims to develop strategies to prevent cancer and create more effective, targeted treatments.

Learn more about our work.

The Rothberg lab uses state-of-the-art approaches to determine the molecular structures and functions of ion channels, which are key drug targets in the treatment of neurological and cardiovascular disease. Detailed knowledge of ion channel structures allows the group to employ powerful computational approaches to identify drug binding sites, which may ultimately lead to the design of new medicines to treat epilepsy, high blood pressure, and cancer.

The Yang lab utilizes both computational and experimental biology to identify novel regulators involved in the pathogenesis of liver and liver-related metabolic disorders. The group applies approaches from bioinformatics, genetics, genomics, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and CRISPR-mediated genome engineering to investigate the complex regulatory networks underlying development of diseases affecting the liver. The ultimate goal of this work is to develop novel therapeutics such as RNA-based therapies to treat human diseases, including but not limited to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hepatocellular carcinoma, and atherosclerosis.

The Zhang Lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms and intervention of mitochondrial dysfunction in heart failure and neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondria are the power plants in the cells for ATP production. Dr. Zhang's lab research emphasizes mitochondrial proton leak and dynamics in 1) heart failure in several scenarios, such as aging, myocardial infarction, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes; 2) Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; 3) cardiovascular dysfunction induced by the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin.