Labs by division

Advancing molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases our lab develops tests to detect a wide range of pathogens including all known human herpes viruses, polyoma viruses JC and BK, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, HIV, Toxoplasma gondii, Bordetella pertussis and parapertussis, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, Bartonella, Leptospira, Borrelia, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae. We specialize in quantitative assays for CMV, EBV, HHV-6 and BK virus and have implemented commercial tests for HIV RNA, hepatitis C RNA, hepatitis C genotyping and hepatitis B DNA. Our work also includes detecting antiviral resistance in CMV and hepatitis B virus and identifying bacterial antibiotic resistance such as methicillin, fluoroquinolone and macrolide resistance.

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Defining molecular features driving leukemogenesis to improve outcomes in acute leukemia our lab investigates pathways that differ between malignant and healthy cells, promote chemotherapy resistance and support leukemia stem cell biology. Current projects focus on intracellular metabolism including amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, cellular energetics and polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism, the unfolded protein response and its role in stress adaptation and mitochondrial regulation critical for cancer cell survival. We also examine how these mechanisms influence healthy hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells to guide rational therapeutic strategies.

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Exploring how gut microbiota shape disease outcomes, this laboratory investigates microbial influences on pediatric health through genomic sequencing, clinical data and collaborative research. With a focus on gastrointestinal diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis, projects integrate metagenomics, cohort studies and phylogenetic analysis to uncover microbial drivers of disease and inform future therapeutic strategies.

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Investigating how pharmacological agents reshape cellular behavior in health and disease, the Taylor Lab at WashU Medicine studies the mechanisms that drive normal and malignant hematopoiesis to improve treatment outcomes for children with cancer. Childhood leukemia arises when genetic mutations disrupt normal blood cell formation and convert healthy cells into cancerous ones, yet major questions remain about how these mutations hijack cellular machinery to sustain disease. Transcription factors — molecular switches that control gene expression — play a central role in this process. In healthy blood development, they guide the programs that determine cell fate, but in leukemia these switches are corrupted to promote malignant growth. The Taylor Lab works to define how these transcriptional networks are rewired and how they can be therapeutically redirected to restore healthy function.

Investigating early-life origins of liver disease, our laboratory examines how maternal and paternal diet, microbiome shifts and exercise shape offspring liver health. Grounded in the developmental origins hypothesis, we focus on how in utero and perinatal events influence risk for chronic conditions such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with particular emphasis on the impact of parental over-nutrition.

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Investigating how hormonal changes during pregnancy shape long-term cardiovascular health, our center explores the molecular mechanisms linking gestational hyperandrogenism and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals with adverse maternal and fetal cardio-metabolic outcomes. By integrating large animal models with cellular and molecular biology, we aim to uncover pathways that predispose offspring to cardiovascular disease and identify strategies for prevention and treatment. Our work advances the developmental origins of health and disease framework, driving innovation in early-life interventions.

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Decoding the genetic causes of rare childhood diseases through cutting-edge genomics, our lab is committed to uncovering the molecular basis of severe conditions and birth defects in infants and children. Using advanced sequencing technologies such as whole exome and genome sequencing, RNASeq and gene expression profiling, we identify pathogenic variants and investigate their functional impact. Our focus on disorders of pulmonary surfactant metabolism, including genes like SFTPB, SFTPC, ABCA3 and NKX2-1, aims to reveal new therapeutic targets and improve outcomes for children facing life-threatening respiratory diseases.

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Cole research profile

Driving innovation in large-scale genomics, Todd Wylie brings over two decades of expertise in biology, informatics and analytics to advance genomic research and technology development. From contributing to the first human genome sequence to pioneering tools like ViroCap, Wylie has led efforts spanning cancer genomics, microbial analysis and high-throughput sequencing. His work bridges wet lab and computational science, delivering transformative solutions that enhance diagnostics and expand the frontiers of genomic medicine.

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Investigating maternal-microbe dynamics our lab studies how the vaginal microbiome and maternal immune response interact to influence reproductive outcomes. Through longitudinal analysis of pregnancy samples and in vitro and in vivo models we aim to uncover mechanisms linking microbial changes and viral infections to preterm birth, ultimately identifying biomarkers for better prediction and prevention.

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Advancing understanding of dietary fat digestion, this research focuses on the molecular mechanisms by which pancreatic lipases process fats in young children to support healthy growth and development. Complementary studies examine proteotoxicity in chronic pancreatitis, using misfolded mutant pancreatic lipases as a model to identify pathways that could lead to novel therapeutic strategies.

Research profile