Biomarkers

Spectral CT, Cardiac CT, Image Reconstruction, Deep Learning, Nanoparticles, Theranostics, Co-Clinical cancer trials, Small Animal Imaging

Current Research interests: Alzheimer’s Disease, Brain Imaging, MRI, Connectivity, Multivariate Biomarkers, Image Analysis, Neurological Conditions.

Work focuses on improving our understanding of the neurobiology of substance use disorders (SUDs) by identifying and characterizing neurocognitive biomarkers and intermediate phenotypes.

Research interests include studying neurodevelopmental disorders across the lifespan, including Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Angelman syndrome, and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, and the relationship between early neurodevelopmental conditions and later neurodegeneration.

Our lab focuses on both developments and applications of cutting-edge technologies of proteomics and proteogenomics for mechanistic elucidation and biomarker discovery in AD and ADRD.

Current research interests: a) the genetic determinants and disease relevance of ferroptosis; b)a new stress pathway – mammalian stress response; c) genomic and single cell RNA analysis of red blood cells

1. Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 2. Protein aggregation mechanisms, post-translational modifications, reversible acetylation mediated by HATs and HDACs

Focused on understanding the protein folding problem and defining cellular responses to proteotoxic stress. A central focus is understanding how Hsp70 molecular chaperones mediate protein triage and determine the fate of misfolded proteins.

Our lab studies neurodegeneration in the human brain using data science and informatics approaches. We seek to identify the fundamental properties of brain organization and reorganization occurring due to neurodegenerative diseases, and develop methods and tools that can eventually be used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes.

Precision Medicine; Digital Therapeutics; Biomarkers; Clinical Trials; Aging; Artificial Intelligence in Medicine

My lab integrates computational approaches, including mathematical modeling and quantitative image analysis, with experimental investigations to understand complex cellular behavior.

The focus of my research is to learn how alterations to core metabolic pathways contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction that underlies aging and many neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. I am also engaged in developing new genetic models of Alzheimer’s disease, that incorporate human genetic risk factors by targeted replacement.

Dilraj Grewal, MD specializes in the medical and surgical management of patients with complex Vitreoretinal pathology and Uveitis and is a Director of Grading at the Duke Reading Center. His research focus is on 1) Novel Retinal Imaging endpoints in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases 2) Leveraging the use of artificial intelligence to create risk stratification models based on retinal imaging 3) Modeling longitudinal rates of change in retinal imaging in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases to establish potential anatomical endpoints to incorporate into clinical trials.

Ocular genetics and age related macular degeneration.

Our primary focus is on understanding how the positive reinforcing effects of drugs drive repetitive drug-seeking behavior and promote the transition from use to abuse.

Investigating the neurodegenerative aspect of progressive multiple sclerosis. Identifying biomarkers of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

1) investigating the role of neuroinflammation and abnormal protein aggregates in the pathogenesis of AMD and developing relevant treatments 2) visual function testing in dry AMD with the goal of establishing functional endpoints for future clinical studies in early AMD 3) elucidating the use of novel retinal imaging biomarkers for early diagnosis of aging diseases (AMD and Alzheimer’s disease), including through the use of artificial intelligence (machine and deep learning).

Research summary: My research uses multiple MRI modalities (diffusion, fMRI) to assess the effect of brain aging on various cognitive abilities (memory, learning, attention) in adults across the lifespan. An overarching goal of my work is to differentiate the neural signatures of healthy brain aging from Alzheimer’s disease.

GPCR structure and function, synthetic neurobiology, and drug discovery