We study gene regulatory mechanisms controlling the timing of animal development, using the C. elegans model system. Developmental timing regulators in C. elegans include microRNAs that control the stage-specific expression of key transcription factors. We aim to understand the molecular mechanisms of post-transcriptional gene regulation by microRNAs, and how microRNAs function in regulatory networks affecting development and disease.2

The Aroian Group researches infectious diseases and parasites. Our mission is to discover new cures and new basic information that leads to cures for major diseases that afflict humankind, namely intestinal roundworms and bacterial pathogens.

Our access to genetic data continues to increase as the genomics technologies advance, so does our need to have the appropriate tools to make sense of these data. I am interested in adapting the existing computational tools to new data sets as well as developing new software, especially in multi-omics data integration and interpretation, to elucidate our understanding of the effects of genetic variation on a wide range of human diseases including type 1 diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders,  malaria and other infectious diseases.

Our laboratory studies the biological mechanisms that control human immune responses to infectious agents and transplanted non-self tissues. To investigate these mechanisms we are using humanized mouse models that contain functional human immune systems. The humanized mice are generated using immnodeficient mice, which are engrafted with either human hematopoietic stem cells or with mature human immune cells. These humanized mouse models allow the direct study of human immunity that is not possible with patients.

Our laboratory is interested in the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying tumor initiation and maintenance. We focus primarily on melanoma, using genetically-engineered zebrafish models and mammalian cultured cells to identify unique features of cancer cells that can potentially be used for diagnostic, prognostic or therapeutic benefit.

Being able to study metabolism at the molecular level is fundamental to improving our understanding of human disease. We utilize high-resolution, accurate-mass spectrometry coupled to liquid-chromatography, and collaborate with researchers to help them measure metabolites and lipids in a variety of model organisms and metabolic disease models, including diabetes and cancer.

Our laboratory is interested in understanding the basic physiopathology of type 2 diabetes, specifically the role of adipose tissue physiology in diabetes pathogenesis.

Our laboratory group is dedicated to the discovery of molecular mechanisms whereby insulin signaling regulates energy homeostasis. This quest includes RNAi screens, digital imaging and TIRF microscopy, phenotyping mice with gene knockouts and analysis of human adipose tissues. We hope to translate our findings to the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.

The cJun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) signal transduction pathway is implicated in several stress-related disease processes including cancer, diabetes, inflammation, and stroke. Our hope is that drugs targeting the JNK pathway may be useful for the treatment of these diseases. The goal of this laboratory is to understand the molecular processes that are engaged by JNK in both health and disease.

Research Interest: The Davis Lab studies how cellular proliferation and inflammation are regulated by JNK signaling.

Research Tools: M. musculus (mouse)

Broader Impact: cancer, cognitive disorders, ischemia, metabolic syndromes, diabetes, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Office Location: Two Biotech Suite 309
Phone: 508-856-6054

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