Pathology

Chromatin regulators are highly altered in diseases. Of interest, these proteins are easily targetable by drugs. Furthermore, the plasticity of epigenetic events makes them a powerful target for new therapeutic strategies and reversion of disease phenotype. Histone and DNA modifications influence many processes including transcription, replication, genomic stability and cell division, which are altered in diseases. Therefore, understanding the molecular basis of chromatin modifiers in both normal and pathological cells could help us frame new potential biomarkers and targeted therapies.

Our laboratory uses chemical and genetic approaches to study the signaling pathways that control mammalian energy homeostasis. We focus on blood-borne metabolic hormones and other hormone-like molecules. Ultimately, we seek to translate our discoveries into therapeutic opportunities that matter for obesity and other age-associated metabolic diseases.

We are looking for postdoctoral researchers interested in understanding the impact of rare variants on human diseases. Projects in the lab are either computational and experimental (or both!). We are particularly interested in establishing new research directions for using genomics data to interpret undiagnosed rare diseases. We are also interested in helping to improve the use of genetic data in diverse populations.

The Svensson Laboratory is dedicated to the discovery of new fundamental pathways that regulates cellular and organismal metabolism. The main focus is to identify novel functions for new molecules controlling the regulation of glucose and lipid homeostasis using a combination of genomic, proteomic and physiology approaches.

We are interested in fundamental aspects of cell-cell recognition, migration and development with the mammalian immune and vascular systems as  models. We use molecular, genetic and single cell transcriptomic and mass cytometric approaches to study  the development and trafficking of  lymphocytes, NK cells and dendritic cells and their role in immune function in health and diseases. 
 

Our lab is broadly interested in how intestinal microbes shape our immune system to promote both health and disease. Recently we discovered that a type of intestinal epithelial cell, called tuft cells, act as sentinels stationed along the lining of the gut. Tuft cells respond to microbes, including parasites, to initiate type 2 immunity, remodel the epithelium, and alter gut physiology. Surprisingly, these changes to the intestine rely on the same chemosensory pathway found in oral taste cells.

Our lab studies the mechanisms by which cells and organisms respond to genetic change. The genetic landscape faced by a living cell is constantly changing. Developmental transitions, environmental shifts, and pathogenic invasions lend a dynamic character to both the genome and its activity pattern.We study a variety of natural mechanisms that are utilized by cells adapting to genetic change. These include mechanisms activated during normal development and systems for detecting and responding to foreign or unwanted genetic activity.

The Yeh Lab studies the apicoplast, a unique plastid organelle in Plasmodium falciparum parasites that cause malaria. We are particularly focused on unbiased chemical and genetic screens to discover new cell biology and therapeutic targets for this important global health disease. Our work highlights the untapped opportunities in exploring divergent biology in non-model organisms, a theme we plan to expand in the lab by studying ocean algae (malaria's cousins!) and their role in the global ecosystem.

Chromatin regulators are highly altered in diseases. Of interest, these proteins are easily targetable by drugs. Furthermore, the plasticity of epigenetic events makes them a powerful target for new therapeutic strategies and reversion of disease phenotype. Histone and DNA modifications influence many processes including transcription, replication, genomic stability and cell division, which are altered in diseases. Therefore, understanding the molecular basis of chromatin modifiers in both normal and pathological cells could help us frame new potential biomarkers and targeted therapies.

Energy metabolism encompasses the fundamental homeostatic processes by which we regulate our energy storage and energy expenditure. Energy metabolism is highly dynamic and changes according to availability of nutrients, physical activity, or environmental conditions. Dysregulation of energy metabolism is a hallmark of many age-associated chronic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemias, neurodegeneration, and cancer.