Our laboratory research program is centered in understanding the structure and function of ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes, with emphasis on the mammalian SWI/SNF (mSWI/SNF or BAF) family of assemblies. Using a multidisciplinary set of...
The Zhuang research lab uses advanced optical imaging techniques to study the behavior of individual biological molecules and complexes in vitro and in live cells. Our current research is focused on the following three major directions.
Super-resolution...
Elucidating the Molecular Principles of Self vs Non-self RNA Discrimination by the Immune System
Correct discrimination of “self” vs “non-self” nucleic acids by the innate immune system is essential for host defense against viral infection. A failure to...
Influenza virus in humans evolves in response to pressure from immunity in the potentially susceptible population, resulting in progressive variation of viral antigenicity ("antigenic drift"). Introduction into human circulation of a new serotype from...
Our research focuses on new technologies for genomic & proteomic measurement, synthesis and modeling of biomedical & ecological systems -- in particular, personal genomics and biofuels. We have developed next-generation sequencing methods to analyze the...
We are working to understand how cells respond to pathogens, and how these signaling pathways can be harnessed for new potential therapies to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases. Importantly, many critical aspects of the cellular response to infection...
Retroviruses are associated with a wide range of clinical diseases, including leukemia, tumors, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an exceptionally deadly retrovirus that has caused more than 20 million deaths...
Research in the Engelman laboratory focuses on the integration step in the retroviral life cycle. In order to replicate, retroviruses must integrate the viral DNA (vDNA) product of reverse transcription into a host cell chromosome. In addition to the...
Our laboratory is interested in the development of herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors for cancer therapy, with the long-term goal of translating these vectors to the clinic, and strategies to target cancer stem cells. Oncolytic (replication-competent)...
