Investigate the biological effects and mechanisms of electromagnetic energy fields

Sheffield Lab, Holden Cancer Center/Diabetes Research Center

We seek highly motivated candidates to help us investigate the biological effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) using animal models of chronic disease. We are conducting pre-clinical studies exploring mechanism of action and safety in preparation for clinical trials.
We conduct research at the University and run a University-funded startup (Geminii, Inc.) which serves as our means of translating the science we do. We are a Howard Hughes laboratory located in MERF with funding from NIH, NSF & private foundations.

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Relationship between diet quality and clinical outcomes

Wahls Lab, Internal Medicine

The Wahls Research lab is interested in the relationship between diet quality and clinical outcomes. Motor function is assessed using timed walk and hand function tests. Vision function, quality of life and blood biomarkers are also assessed.

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Neural circuit mechanism in compulsive alcohol drinking and aversive behaviors during withdrawal

Marcinkiewcz Lab, Neuroscience/Pharmacology

Our lab is focused on the neural circuit mechanisms that drive compulsive alcohol drinking and aversive behaviors during withdrawal. The dorsal raphe nucleus is a serotonergic nucleus in the midbrain and pons that is exquisitely sensitive to alcohol and has a diverse molecular composition that orchestrates a wide range of behaviors, including reward, anxiety, pain and sleep. We are trying to understand how alcohol changes the molecular and signaling properties of the DRN to impact these behaviors in alcohol dependence and other diseases including Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.

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Vascular function in health and disease

Irani Lab, Internal Medicine

The Irani lab broadly studies molecular mechanisms regulating vascular function in health and disease. We are currently examining the role of dynamic protein lysine acetylation in the regulation of vascular endothelial function, and how microRNAs expressed in the vascular wall protect against or promote vascular disease. We are working toward identifying novel mechanisms that contribute to vascular health and disease in response to changes in the gut microbiome. We are also collaboratively looking at the role protein lysine acetylation plays in governance of cardiac electrical activity. Finally, we are interested in identifying vasospecific factors that are players in whole body energy utilization and metabolism.

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NanoMedTrix Biotech

Assouline Lab, Biomedical Engineering

The laboratory has various projects based on a platform technology making use of small nanoparticles to provide high-level contrast with medical scanners such as MRI, CT and Ultrasound. In addition, the particles are porous and can serve as a reservoir for loading of bioactive drugs. Our group performs experiments on campus and off campus where we developed a biotech company, NanoMedTrix (NMTx). Our mesoporous silica nanoparticles (the MSNs) are advanced nanotechnology material which dramatically enhance bladder cancer diagnostics for much earlier detection as well as uniquely serve as a vehicle for targeted drug delivery. Current technology is expensive, insensitive and is therapeutically indiscriminate and ineffective. Our nanoparticles specifically target only bladder cancer cells to improve detection significantly and have also been impregnated with anti-mitotic drugs to deliver high concentrations of these drugs only to the cancer cells thereby sparing the surrounding bladder tissue and patient from excessive side effects. The unique experimental and commercial opportunity our products resides in the breadth of clinical applications and the ease of usage.

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Uterine endometrial cancer characterization

Yang Lab, Pathology

Uterine endometrial cancer incidence (~63,200 new cases/year) and deaths (~11,300 deaths/year) are on the rise. To help endometrial cancer patients and cure endometrial cancer, we need understand the characteristics of this disease. The current focus of our work is to understand molecular mechanisms of endometrial tumor progression and utilize target therapy or molecular enhanced hormonal therapy to treat endometrial cancer and other hormone-driven cancers. Specific research initiatives include: 1) systematic dissection of the mechanisms of progesterone receptor (PR) downregulation in endometrial cancer and enhancement of progestin therapy with epigenetic modulators in endometrial cancer, 2) identification of novel small molecular drugs to increase PR expression and activity to sensitize progesterone therapy, 3) targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in endometrial cancer, 4) relationship between the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and oncogene Myc in endometrial tumors, and 5) application of molecularly enhanced progestin therapy to other cancer types. Dr. Yang’s laboratory is located in the building of Medical Education Research Facility (MERF).

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Endometrial and ovarian cancer progression

Meng Lab, Pathology

Dr. Meng’s laboratory is located in the building of Medical Education Research Facility (MERF). The long term research goals of our laboratory are to understand the molecular and cellular basis of endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer progression in order to develop new treatment of these diseases. Current efforts are focused on the role of AEG-1/MTDH/LYRIC in drug resistance and DNA damage response in this process. AEG-1/MTDH/LYRIC was recently identified as an ER resident RNA-binding protein, which may contribute to the ER-mRNA transcription in cancers.

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Developmental Psychopathology Lab

What We Study:
The Developmental Psychopathology Lab conducts research to understand how children develop behavior problems as well as positive adjustment.  We have been particularly interested in externalizing behavior problems, such as aggressive, disruptive, and noncompliant behavior.  We focus on the development of self-regulation skills and the consequences of children’s self-regulation skills (or deficits) for their school readiness.  The goal of our lab is to improve understanding about how children develop behavior problems from a very early age (3–7 years).  We focus on the early development of behavior problems to improve the early identification of at-risk children before later, more severe, and more stable behavior problems develop, which may lead to improved intervention and prevention approaches.

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