Select a tab to view the CPB labs working in that research discipline. As a department that promotes interdisciplinary research, a lab may appear in more than one discipline as appropriate.

The lab of Kimberly Beatty uses fluorescent probes to study the molecular basis of human diseases. Her lab investigates cellular protein organization across size scales and imaging platforms using novel genetic tags named VIP tags and is currently applied towards studying iron uptake and cancer signalling. In addition, her lab uses chemistry to study enzyme regulation and drug targets in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
beattyk@ohsu.edu | Beatty Lab | @beattylab

The lab of Michael Cohen focuses on two main areas: (1) exploring new roles for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) regulation in cells and (2) understanding the functions of post-translational modifications (PTMs) generated by NAD⁺-dependent enzymes. A major focus of our research is the evolutionarily conserved PTM, ADP-ribosylation, and its role in regulating cellular function and providing new opportunities for therapeutic development.

ADP-ribosylation is catalyzed by the PARP family of ADP-ribosyltransferases (17 members in humans), which transfer ADP-ribose from NAD⁺ to amino acids on target proteins. Most PARPs catalyze mono-ADP-ribosylation (MARylation), whereas four family members catalyze poly-ADP-ribosylation (PARylation).

Our lab has developed chemical tools and methods, including bumped NAD⁺ analogs, engineered enzyme pairs, and family-specific PARP inhibitors, to uncover PARP-mediated MARylation functions that are difficult to study with traditional approaches. Recently, in collaboration with the Pruneda lab (OHSU), we discovered a dual PTM called MARUbylation, in which ubiquitin is linked via an ester bond to protein-conjugated mono-ADP-ribose on glutamate or aspartate (Glu/Asp) residues. We found that MARUbylation can be extended with K11-linked polyubiquitin chains and occurs naturally in response to type I interferon signaling. We are now focused on defining the writer/reader circuitry that regulates MARUbylation and on understanding its functional consequences in cells.

Our research has led to numerous collaborations that leverage our selective inhibitors and chemical-genetic approaches to investigate how MARylation, and now MARUbylation, regulates protein function in cells and animal models. Together, these studies aim to uncover new mechanisms of cellular regulation and identify opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
cohenmic@ohsu.edu | Cohen Lab | @MichaelNADbio

The lab of Meghna Gupta studies how membrane proteins shape human health and disease, with a focus on peroxisomes, organelles essential for lipid metabolism and for detoxifying reactive oxygen species. We investigate how peroxisome defects contribute to metabolic, genetic, and age-related diseases. Our approach combines biochemistry and biophysics with imaging across scales, from optical microscopy to cryo-EM and cryo-electron tomography, to connect molecular events to their cellular context.
guptame@ohsu.edu | Gupta Lab

The lab of Braden Lobingier studies drug action at a family of signaling receptors called G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). We specialize in combining chemical biology with proteomic and genomic techniques to identify the mechanisms of receptor function. In addition, we have a parallel research program focused on understanding a critical organelle called the endosome. We seek to understand how the endosome specifically controls GPCR function as well as its role in controlling membrane proteins broadly.
lobingib@ohsu.edu | Lobingier Lab

The lab of Pierre Moenne-Loccoz is interested in metalloproteins and metalloenzymes. We use spectroscopic techniques and time-resolved approaches to supplement structural knowledge obtained from X-ray crystallography or cryoEM to understand how metalloproteins contribute to the production, control, and detoxification of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNS and ROS).
moennelo@ohsu.edu

The lab of Show-Ling Shyng is interested in ion channel regulation in the context of structure-function, disease mechanisms and therapeutics, with a focus on KATP channels in the pancreatic endocrine islets and the cardiovascular system. We use a combination of single-particle cryoEM, electrophysiology, chemical biology and live cell imaging approaches to study the gating and trafficking of KATP channels and to develop mechanism-based pharmacological agents for human diseases caused by KATP dysfunction.
shyngs@ohsu.edu | Shyng Lab

The lab of Matt Thayer studies the mechanisms that control chromosome replication timing, mono-allelic gene expression, and structural stability of mammalian chromosomes. We use somatic cell, molecular-genetic, and imaging approaches to identify human genes that generate cellular mosaicism in what would otherwise be uniform tissues. Many of these genes have been linked to epilepsy, Parkinson's, Alzheimer’s, deafness or intellectual disability.
thayerm@ohsu.edu

The lab of Francis Valiyaveetil is interested in the molecular structure and function of ion channels and transporters. The lab combines structure determination with functional studies using electrophysiology and studies of protein dynamics using fluorescence spectroscopy. We are presently investigating the functional mechanisms that operate in voltage gated potassium channels and glutamate transporters.
valiyave@ohsu.edu | Valiyaveetil Lab

The lab of Kimberly Beatty uses fluorescent probes to study the molecular basis of human diseases. Her lab investigates cellular protein organization across size scales and imaging platforms using novel genetic tags named VIP tags and is currently applied towards studying iron uptake and cancer signalling. In addition, her lab uses chemistry to study enzyme regulation and drug targets in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
beattyk@ohsu.edu | Beatty Lab | @beattylab

The lab of Michael Cohen focuses on two main areas: (1) exploring new roles for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) regulation in cells and (2) understanding the functions of post-translational modifications (PTMs) generated by NAD⁺-dependent enzymes. A major focus of our research is the evolutionarily conserved PTM, ADP-ribosylation, and its role in regulating cellular function and providing new opportunities for therapeutic development.

ADP-ribosylation is catalyzed by the PARP family of ADP-ribosyltransferases (17 members in humans), which transfer ADP-ribose from NAD⁺ to amino acids on target proteins. Most PARPs catalyze mono-ADP-ribosylation (MARylation), whereas four family members catalyze poly-ADP-ribosylation (PARylation).

Our lab has developed chemical tools and methods, including bumped NAD⁺ analogs, engineered enzyme pairs, and family-specific PARP inhibitors, to uncover PARP-mediated MARylation functions that are difficult to study with traditional approaches. Recently, in collaboration with the Pruneda lab (OHSU), we discovered a dual PTM called MARUbylation, in which ubiquitin is linked via an ester bond to protein-conjugated mono-ADP-ribose on glutamate or aspartate (Glu/Asp) residues. We found that MARUbylation can be extended with K11-linked polyubiquitin chains and occurs naturally in response to type I interferon signaling. We are now focused on defining the writer/reader circuitry that regulates MARUbylation and on understanding its functional consequences in cells.

Our research has led to numerous collaborations that leverage our selective inhibitors and chemical-genetic approaches to investigate how MARylation, and now MARUbylation, regulates protein function in cells and animal models. Together, these studies aim to uncover new mechanisms of cellular regulation and identify opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
cohenmic@ohsu.edu | Cohen Lab | @MichaelNADbio

The lab of James Frank centers around cannabinoid receptors and how they are activated by their endogenous lipid ligands to affect biomolecule secretion in the brain and in the pancreas. The lab builds and evaluates new small molecule-based photoactivatable tools using chemistry, molecular biology, imaging, whole-cell electrophysiology, and in vivo behavioural experiments.
frankja@ohsu.edu | Frank Lab | @jF-lab

The lab of Braden Lobingier studies drug action at a family of signaling receptors called G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). We specialize in combining chemical biology with proteomic and genomic techniques to identify the mechanisms of receptor function. In addition, we have a parallel research program focused on understanding a critical organelle called the endosome. We seek to understand how the endosome specifically controls GPCR function as well as its role in controlling membrane proteins broadly
lobingib@ohsu.edu | Lobingier Lab

The lab of Tom Scanlan is best known for the synthesis of prodrugs to manipulate thyroid hormone receptors in the brain and the periphery and to bring these compounds to patients.
scanlant@ohsu.edu

The lab of Carsten Schultz has a long-standing interest in chemical biology tool development with a focus on lipids and lipid signaling. We apply the tools from the chemistry bench to find the weak spot of virus infections and cancer progression. Specifically, we develop novel lipid tools to analyze lipid-interactomes in virus-infected cells and tissue samples from patients. We are interested in the mechanisms of intracellular lipid metabolism and trafficking. The lab uses a combination of organic chemistry, molecular biology, and live-cell and tissue slice imaging. We collaborate with virologists and omics specialists, and we aim to translate our findings into novel therapeutics via entrepreneurial activities.
schulcar@ohsu.edu

The lab of Francis Valiyaveetil is interested in the molecular structure and function of ion channels and transporters. The lab combines structure determination with functional studies using electrophysiology and studies of protein dynamics using fluorescence spectroscopy. We are presently investigating the functional mechanisms that operate in voltage gated potassium channels and glutamate transporters.
valiyave@ohsu.edu | Valiyaveetil Lab

The lab of Xiangshu Xiao is interested in developing small molecule inhibitors and next-generation degraders of various nuclear proteins for cancer chemical biology. His lab combines organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry and pharmacology to expand the druggable genome for both mechanistic biology studies and cancer therapeutics.
xiaoxi@ohsu.edu | Xiao Lab

The lab of Bingbing Li focuses on developing novel cancer therapies, particularly for clear cell sarcoma of soft tissue (CCS), a rare and aggressive fusion-driven cancer. In parallel, the lab investigates the fundamental mechanisms of targeted protein degradation, with the goal of advancing the development of next-generation therapeutics.
lib@ohsu.edu

The Sue Aicher lab specializes in studies on neural circuits in rodent model systems. We collaborate extensively with other groups within the department and across the country. We also study ocular pain in humans and rodents, looking for molecular and biological mechanisms of pain. Our experimental techniques include tract tracing, immunocytochemistry, confocal and electron microscopy.
aichers@ohsu.edu | Aicher Lab

The lab of Michael Cohen focuses on two main areas: (1) exploring new roles for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) regulation in cells and (2) understanding the functions of post-translational modifications (PTMs) generated by NAD⁺-dependent enzymes. A major focus of our research is the evolutionarily conserved PTM, ADP-ribosylation, and its role in regulating cellular function and providing new opportunities for therapeutic development.

ADP-ribosylation is catalyzed by the PARP family of ADP-ribosyltransferases (17 members in humans), which transfer ADP-ribose from NAD⁺ to amino acids on target proteins. Most PARPs catalyze mono-ADP-ribosylation (MARylation), whereas four family members catalyze poly-ADP-ribosylation (PARylation).

Our lab has developed chemical tools and methods, including bumped NAD⁺ analogs, engineered enzyme pairs, and family-specific PARP inhibitors, to uncover PARP-mediated MARylation functions that are difficult to study with traditional approaches. Recently, in collaboration with the Pruneda lab (OHSU), we discovered a dual PTM called MARUbylation, in which ubiquitin is linked via an ester bond to protein-conjugated mono-ADP-ribose on glutamate or aspartate (Glu/Asp) residues. We found that MARUbylation can be extended with K11-linked polyubiquitin chains and occurs naturally in response to type I interferon signaling. We are now focused on defining the writer/reader circuitry that regulates MARUbylation and on understanding its functional consequences in cells.

Our research has led to numerous collaborations that leverage our selective inhibitors and chemical-genetic approaches to investigate how MARylation, and now MARUbylation, regulates protein function in cells and animal models. Together, these studies aim to uncover new mechanisms of cellular regulation and identify opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
cohenmic@ohsu.edu | Cohen Lab | @MichaelNADbio

The Beth Habecker lab is studying nerves that control the heart. We are trying to understand how cardiac injury and disease contribute to increased sympathetic nerve activity that leads to bad outcomes for the heart. We are asking if we can fix nerves to prevent cardiac damage. 
habecker@ohsu.edu | Habecker Lab | @habeckerlab
 

The lab of Rose Hill seeks to understand the mechanisms and physiological roles of nervous system-organ crosstalk. Sensory neurons play expected roles in detecting painful stimuli throughout the body. They also are increasingly appreciated within the burgeoning field of interoception for unconscious roles in regulating physiology, for example: interactions with immune cells during inflammation, modulation of tissue metabolic state and other processes through inhibition of sympathetic efferent function, and release of neuropeptides that signal to a multitude of local cell types. The Hill Laboratory uses techniques including in vivo calcium imaging, behavior, measurement of physiological parameters, and intersectional viral-genetic approaches to understand the roles of sensory innervation in health and disease. We have a special focus on kidney nerves and visceral pain. 
Rose Hill Lab | hillros@ohsu.edu
 

The lab of Catherine Morgans studies visual neuroscience. Our research is focused on synaptic transmission between photoreceptor cells and bipolar cells in the retina, which represents the first stage of image processing in the visual system. The lab employs electrophysiological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical techniques to pursue a comprehensive understanding of the physiology and structural organization of these specialized sensory synapses in both health and disease states.
morgansc@ohsu.edu

The lab of Show-Ling Shyng is interested in ion channel regulation in the context of structure-function, disease mechanisms and therapeutics, with a focus on KATP channels in the pancreatic endocrine islets and the cardiovascular system. We use a combination of single-particle cryoEM, electrophysiology, chemical biology and live cell imaging approaches to study the gating and trafficking of KATP channels and to develop mechanism-based pharmacological agents for human diseases caused by KATP dysfunction.
shyngs@ohsu.edu | Shyng Lab

The lab of Francis Valiyaveetil is interested in the molecular structure and function of ion channels and transporters. The lab combines structure determination with functional studies using electrophysiology and studies of protein dynamics using fluorescence spectroscopy. We are presently investigating the functional mechanisms that operate in voltage gated potassium channels and glutamate transporters.
valiyave@ohsu.edu | Valiyaveetil Lab

The Structural Biology-focused research groups in CPB cover a variety of research topics, and are supported by state-of-the-art cryo-EM facilities, including on-site access to OHSU’s Multiscale Microscopy Core (MMC) and the Pacific Northwest Cryo-EM Center (PNCC), and high-performance computing through OHSU’s Advanced Computing Center (ACC). 

The lab of Meghna Gupta studies how membrane proteins shape human health and disease, with a focus on peroxisomes, organelles essential for lipid metabolism and for detoxifying reactive oxygen species. We investigate how peroxisome defects contribute to metabolic, genetic, and age-related diseases. Our approach combines biochemistry and biophysics with imaging across scales, from optical microscopy to cryo-EM and cryo-electron tomography, to connect molecular events to their cellular context.
guptame@ohsu.edu | Gupta Lab

The lab of Steven E. Mansoor uses techniques in structural biology (X-ray crystallography and single particle cryogenic electron microscopy), electrophysiology, ligand binding assays and rational drug-design to study the structure, function, and signaling of ion channels and G-protein coupled receptors of the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. The overarching goals are to identify and develop novel, high-affinity, subtype-selective small molecule agonists and antagonists for the treatment of conditions such as angina, hypertension, platelet aggregation, vascular inflammation and neuroinflammation.
mansoors@ohsu.edu | Mansoor Lab | @MansoorLabOHSU | @mansoor_steven

The lab of Pierre Moenne-Loccoz is interested in metalloproteins and metalloenzymes. We use spectroscopic techniques and time-resolved approaches to supplement structural knowledge obtained from X-ray crystallography or cryoEM to understand how metalloproteins contribute to the production, control, and detoxification of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNS and ROS).
moennelo@ohsu.edu

The lab of Steve Reichow applies cutting-edge methods in cryo-EM, MD simulation and biophysical methods to characterize the inner-workings of macromolecular machines. We specialize in the mechanisms of membrane channel gating and cell-signaling events that orchestrate a wide range of physiological processes. We are also interested in understanding the molecular basis of age-related protein aggregation events associated with disease. 
reichow@ohsu.edu | Reichow Lab | @reichowlab

The lab of Show-Ling Shyng is interested in ion channel regulation in the context of structure-function, disease mechanisms and therapeutics, with a focus on KATP channels in the pancreatic endocrine islets and the cardiovascular system. We use a combination of single-particle cryoEM, electrophysiology, chemical biology and live cell imaging approaches to study the gating and trafficking of KATP channels and to develop mechanism-based pharmacological agents for human diseases caused by KATP dysfunction.
shyngs@ohsu.edu | Shyng Lab

The lab of Francis Valiyaveetil is interested in the molecular structure and function of ion channels and transporters. The lab combines structure determination with functional studies using electrophysiology and studies of protein dynamics using fluorescence spectroscopy. We are presently investigating the functional mechanisms that operate in voltage gated potassium channels and glutamate transporters.
valiyave@ohsu.edu | Valiyaveetil Lab