Our Labs

Exploring the causes and cardiovascular impacts of CKD-MBD our lab focuses on uncovering the mechanisms behind chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder. Kidney disease leads to complications throughout the body many of which influence mortality rates. Rather than the kidney disease itself most deaths occur due to associated cardiovascular issues. The risk of cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease is shaped by unique factors related to CKD-MBD and understanding these relationships is central to our research.

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Unraveling the mechanisms of glucose transport, our laboratory investigates how facilitative glucose transporters regulate normal and disordered glucose homeostasis. Focusing on structure–function relationships within GLUT proteins, we apply advanced chemical and biophysical techniques to define the architecture of GLUT1 and GLUT4. In parallel, we examine how HIV protease inhibitors alter GLUT function, aiming to uncover molecular pathways that contribute to insulin resistance in treated patients.

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Exploring molecular pathogenesis and sex differences in pyelonephritis, our lab investigates interactions between pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria and their hosts using urinary tract infections as a primary model. We aim to understand host-pathogen dynamics in the urinary tract, how uropathogenic bacteria modulate immune responses and the role of sex in UTI pathogenesis.

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Focus on understanding disease mechanisms and mitigating ongoing pandemic risks our lab characterizes novel viruses to uncover how they cause disease in humans. While viral discovery has expanded known sequences many questions about viral biology require isolation and propagation in the lab. With human populations vulnerable to emerging pathogens we aim to advance knowledge that informs preparedness for future pandemics.

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Combining basic science and clinical research to advance brain tumor treatment, the Rubin Lab is dedicated to uncovering the mechanisms of tumorigenesis and therapy resistance in malignant brain cancers. Our work explores how factors such as epigenetics, signaling pathways, metabolism and cellular senescence influence disease progression, with a special focus on sex-specific differences in cancer risk and survival. By translating these insights into targeted strategies, we aim to develop more effective therapies and improve outcomes for diverse patient populations.

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Advancing understanding of vaccine effectiveness in diverse populations, the Kao Lab focuses on evaluating how vaccines perform in special groups to inform strategies that improve protection and public health outcomes. Led by Carol M. Kao, MD, MSCI, our team combines clinical insight with rigorous research to address critical questions in immunization and ensure equitable, evidence-based care.

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Exploring novel mechanisms of lung injury during mechanical ventilation and critical care, the Katira Lab is dedicated to developing personalized strategies for respiratory support and lung protection in critically ill patients. Leveraging expertise in large animal models and advanced cardio-respiratory tools such as electrical impedance tomography, we translate cutting-edge research into approaches that improve outcomes and redefine standards of care.

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Childhood liver disease; liver transplantation; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; ischemia-reperfusion injury

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Dietary fat digestion and mechanisms of chronic pancreatitis.

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Investigating the role of serpins in maintaining cellular balance and understanding rare genetic disorders, our lab explores how disruptions in protease-serpin interactions contribute to disease. By studying mechanisms of cell stress, protease activity and serpin blockade, we aim to uncover pathways that lead to tissue damage and dysfunction. Our work includes modeling variants of uncertain significance through the Undiagnosed Diseases Network to advance diagnosis and therapeutic strategies for conditions such as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and other serpinopathies.

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Critical insights into causes of childhood leukemia and pioneering prevention strategies our lab investigates how leukemias arise from normal blood-forming stem cells, how malignant cells hijack developmental programs and why childhood and adult leukemias differ genetically. Using innovative mouse models we study leukemia evolution during early life and assess how stressors such as chemotherapy contribute to disease. Our goal is to develop new approaches to treat and ultimately prevent childhood leukemia.

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Advancing treatments for blood diseases through innovative cellular therapy research, our center focuses on immune regulation in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and the development of novel platforms for cell-based therapies. By uncovering mechanisms of immune tolerance, enhancing regulatory immune cells to prevent graft-versus-host disease and designing safer cancer-targeting strategies, we aim to transform HSCT into a more effective and less toxic cure. Our bench-to-bedside approach drives breakthroughs that offer patients long, healthy lives.

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Investigating actin cytoskeleton’s role in immune cell shape and motility our lab studies how dynamic changes in the actin cytoskeleton regulate immune cell movement and activation. Using models lacking the actin-binding protein L-plastin we explore its role in B cells and alveolar macrophages and employ pneumococcal infection models to uncover mechanisms that impact immune defense in children.

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Harnessing data science and artificial intelligence to prevent neonatal brain injury, our lab focuses on understanding neurological damage in newborns and developing predictive tools to guide neuroprotective strategies. By integrating large multimodal datasets — including EHR, NIRS, EEG, MRI and vital signs — we study mechanisms of injury in preterm and term infants and design AI-driven algorithms to improve bedside care. Through clinical trials and collaborative research, we aim to transform outcomes for the most vulnerable patients.

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Advancing care for pediatric bone and joint infections through research on treatments and outcomes, the Orscheln Lab is committed to improving clinical strategies that enhance recovery and long-term health for children. By integrating clinical expertise with innovative research, we aim to identify best practices, optimize therapies and reduce complications associated with musculoskeletal infections.

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Unlocking the mechanisms of immune regulation to combat severe inflammation and cytokine storm syndromes our lab investigates how immune responses are controlled to prevent fatal reactions. We use in vitro and in vivo approaches to identify key genes and pathways, focusing on autophagy and its role in protecting macrophages and preventing cytokine storm. Our goal is to develop host-directed therapies for infectious and inflammatory disorders.

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Leading the way in Batten disease research, the Pediatric Storage Disorders Lab (PSDL) spearheads global efforts to unravel the complexities of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) and related lysosomal storage disorders. At the forefront of NCL studies and therapeutic innovations, our team combines advanced morphological analysis with cutting-edge approaches such as gene therapy, enzyme replacement and small molecule strategies. By mapping disease progression across diverse models, we aim to refine targeted interventions that offer hope for patients worldwide.

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Transforming the understanding of misfolded protein diseases, David Perlmutter’s laboratory investigates the pathobiology of α1-antitrypsin deficiency, a rare disorder that drives chronic liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Through groundbreaking studies on protein clearance and liver pathology, the team has developed a pipeline of drugs capable of eliminating misfolded proteins and reversing disease in model systems, with one therapy advancing to phase II/III clinical trials. This innovative drug class holds promise not only for liver disorders but also for age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

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Exploring mechanisms of lung disease and identifying non-CFTR modifiers that influence severity, our lab focuses on airway disorders such as cystic fibrosis to uncover biological pathways driving disease progression. Using molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry and bioinformatics, we investigate factors beyond CFTR that shape inflammatory and immune responses in airway epithelia. Through genomics, multi-omics analyses and translational research, we aim to develop innovative therapeutic targets and personalized strategies to improve outcomes for people with CF and related conditions.

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Fighting multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae our lab investigates the pathogenesis of this urgent CDC and WHO priority pathogen and works toward vaccine development. We study classical and hypervirulent strains using mouse models of pneumonia and urinary tract infection to understand virulence factors including capsular types, O-antigens and the fimK regulatory gene. With over 300 clinical isolates in our repository we aim to identify strategies that inhibit virulence or prevent infection through effective vaccines.

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