Molecular Cell Biology

Program affiliation
Neurosciences
Molecular Cell Biology
Computational and Systems Biology

Research summary
Our lab deciphers how fruit flies learn, memorize, and make decisions using state-of-the-art optical imaging techniques

Key words
Voltage imaging, computational modeling, learning system, memory processing, Drosophila melanogaster

Program affiliation
Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis
Plant and Microbial Biosciences
Biochemistry Biophysics and Structural Biology
Molecular Cell Biology

Research summary
Interdisciplinary approach combining genetics, genomics, biochemistry, structural biology, high-resolution imaging, animal models, clinical studies and combinatorial chemistry to determine key aspects of bacterial pathogenesis and apply our knowledge to development of new therapeutics.

Key words
antibiotic-sparing therapeutics, host-pathogen interactions, bacterial pathogenesis, drug and vaccine development, multi-drug resistant E. coli, MRSA, Enterococcus, Acinetobacter, Klebsiella, urinary tract infections (UTI)

Program affiliation
Developmental Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology
Neurosciences
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Molecular Cell Biology

Research summary
Understanding the molecular mechanism of aging and longevity in mammals

Key words
aging, longevity, hypothalamus, metabolism, NAD biosynthesis, Sirt1, NAMPT, NAD World

Program affiliation
Neurosciences
Biochemistry Biophysics and Structural Biology
Molecular Cell Biology
Developmental Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology

Research summary
Our research program integrates protein engineering and systems neuroscience to address previously inaccessible questions about brain function, particularly in the area of social behavior.

Key words
Social Behavior, Protein engineering, Optics, Neural dynamics, Genetically encoded optical tools

Program affiliation
Neurosciences
Developmental Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology
Molecular Cell Biology

Research summary
We aim to understand neural basis controlling behaviors in females across the lifespan

Key words
neurobiology, behavior, hormone, plasticity, maturation, aging, optogenetics, calcium imaging, and circuit tracing

Program affiliation
Cancer Biology
Biochemistry Biophysics and Structural Biology
Molecular Cell Biology
Neurosciences

Research summary
Precision medicine through metabolism-based imaging and therapy: from laboratory to clinical translation

Key words
cancer, metabolism, imaging, sex differences, body composition

Program affiliation
Biochemistry Biophysics and Structural Biology
Molecular Cell Biology
Neurosciences

Research summary
Protein folding and misfolding, and the engineering and application of protein disaggregases to reverse misfolding

Key words
protein folding and misfolding; intrinsically disordered proteins, phase separation, and neurodegenerative disease; protein chaperones; protein engineering; amyloid; yeast models of protein misfolding

Program affiliation
Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis
Molecular Cell Biology
Developmental Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology

Research summary
I am interested in studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which gut mycobiota (fungi) modulates local and systemic health with a goal to develop better biomarkers and therapeutic approaches.

Key words

Program affiliation
Biochemistry Biophysics and Structural Biology
Cancer Biology
Molecular Cell Biology
Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis

Research summary
The rational structure-based drug design and synthesis for cancer and infectious disease

Key words
protease, kinase, cancer, infection, lectin, chemistry, synthesis, drug discovery, peptidomimetic, inhibitor

Program affiliation
Neurosciences
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Molecular Cell Biology

Research summary
Cellular and molecular pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease

Key words
Alzheimer's disease, neurodegeneration, amyloid, tau, mouse models, risk factors, lysosome, gene therapy