Biology of Aging
Laboratory of Dr. Vyacheslav Labunskyy
The primary research focus of our lab is the biology of aging and understanding the basic mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of age-related diseases. We are particularly interested in studying the nature of senescence factors and understanding how stress-response signaling regulates aging. In our work we utilize ribosome profiling and next-generation sequencing, and a combination of molecular and biochemical approaches to look at transcriptional and translational changes that are associated with the aging process as well as the mechanisms of such regulation in eukaryotic cells. A second major focus of the laboratory is synthetic biology and developing new bioengineering approaches that can be used to study complex traits, such as longevity, using yeast S. cerevisiae as a model organism. We hope that our studies will provide a better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate aging and will help to identify new targets for therapeutic intervention for age-related diseases.
Laboratory of Dr. Andrey Sharov
Dr. Sharov is a recipient of the Mentored Research Scientist Development Award from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases/NIH. Dr. Sharov is studying molecular mechanisms of skin development, with particular emphasis on the regulation and maintenance of adult stem cells in the skin. His research focuses on dissecting the signal transduction pathways which regulate stem cell quiescence to better understand how alterations in these signaling pathways contribute to melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. In addition, Dr. Sharov studies a role of higher-order chromatin organization in the process of pigmentation funded by NIH/NIAMS.
Laboratory of Dr. Vladimir Botchkarev
Vladimir Botchkarev, MD, PhD is Research Associate Professor in the Department of Dermatology. He received his medical training at Chuvash State University in Cheboksary, Russian and his doctoral training at People’s Friendship University in Moscow, Russia. He was a recipient of the Research Career Development Award from the Dermatology Foundation and Independent Scientist Award from the National Institutes of Health. He is also a recipient of the research grants from the NIAMS and NCI. His name was included in the books 2000 Outstanding Scientists of the 21st Century, Great Minds of the 21st Century and Who is Who in Medicine. His primary research interests are the molecular mechanisms of hair growth and pathobiology of different forms of hair loss.
Laboratory of Dr. Neelam Vashi
Dr. Vashi is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist, specializing in cosmetic dermatology, laser dermatology, and cosmetic dermatology for those with darker skin tones. Dr. Vashi uses years of experience with new technology to provide her patients with advanced cosmetic techniques. Dr. Vashi has been featured extensively in the media and has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals. She has developed expert skills in chemical peels, lasers for red spots, lasers for dark spots, soft-tissue augmentation with fillers, microneedling, sclerotherapy, hyperpigmentation, and aging to name a few topics.