Programs

Program affiliation
Developmental Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology
Molecular Cell Biology
Computational and Systems Biology

Research summary
Systems-biology approach to study how cells build tissues with precise patterns and shapes in embryo development

Key words

Program affiliation
Human and Statistical Genetics
Computational and Systems Biology
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Neurosciences

Research summary
Discovery and characterization of genetic etiological factors involved in neurodevelopmental disorders

Key words
genomics, genetics, autism, neurodevelopmental disorders, complex disease, noncoding, enhancers, whole-genome sequencing, whole-exome sequencing, single-nucleotide variation, insertions/deletions, copy number variation, structural variation

Program affiliation
Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis
Computational and Systems Biology
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Immunology
Cancer Biology

Research summary
We want to understand how microbes interact with humans so that we can identify new strategies to improve health. Our research integrates 'skinomics', metagenomics and host-microbial genetics to address how microbes influence skin physiology.

Key words
microbiome, skin, dermatology, skin diseases, infection, skin cancer, wound healing, environmental exposures

Program affiliation
Plant and Microbial Biosciences
Molecular Genetics and Genomics

Research summary
Cell growth, size control and evolution of sex in Volvocine algae

Key words
evolution, cell biology, developmental biology, size control, cell division, sexual dimorphism

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

Research summary
Dr. Urano's research program defines the mechanisms by which endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction causes beta cell and neuronal loss in Wolfram syndrome and related monogenic diabetes, and translates those findings into therapies — from clinical trials of ER-targeted drugs to gene editing and regenerative medicine.

Key words
Wolfram Syndrome, Diabetes, Vision Loss, Hearing Loss, Neurodegeneration, Gene-Editing Therapy, Genetics, Endoplasmic Reticulum, Mitochondria

Program affiliation
Developmental Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology
Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Computational and Systems Biology
Molecular Cell Biology

Research summary
Our lab investigates how non-coding genetic variation controls developmental programs and contributes to human disease and evolutionary change. We focus on congenital structural anomalies, pregnancy complications, and bat wing development, combining mouse genetics, embryo genome engineering, and functional genomics approaches, including in vivo MPRAs, to functionally dissect regulatory elements.

Key words
Enhancers, non-coding regulatory variation, developmental genetics, evolution, GWAS, limb development, placental biology, craniofacial development, functional genomics, MPRA

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

Research summary
Biophysical mechanisms of respiratory viral infection and antiviral immunity.

Key words
virus, infection, imaging, antibodies, mucus, cilia

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

Research summary
Cytokine-mediated tissue feedback loops that maintain homeostasis, and environmental factors that instigate inflammation and fibrosis.

Key words

Program affiliation
Neurosciences

Research summary
Cerebral cortex in humans and nonhuman primates: structure, function, connectivity, development, and evolution

Key words
neurobiology, vision, cerebral cortex, brain mapping, connectomics

Program affiliation
Molecular Cell Biology
Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis
Immunology
Cancer Biology

Research summary
The bone microenvironment for cancer and infection

Key words
bone biology, osteoclast, cancer, metastasis, osteoporosis, microenvironment, osteoblast, osteomyelitis, infection