Myelin enables efficient communication between nerve cells and is essential for cognition, movement, and sensation. In neurodegenerative diseases, myelin is lost, impairing daily life. This research uses stem cells, gene profiling, and gene editing to uncover why myelin fails—and how regenerating it could transform treatment.

Millions of bilingual individuals struggle to access speech-language pathology and audiology services due to a shortage of bilingual clinicians. This work addresses disparities by training future bilingual professionals and creating culturally relevant Spanish-language resources, reducing misdiagnosis and improving communication outcomes for linguistically diverse communities across the United States.

Epilepsy affects millions worldwide and can limit everyday activities. Some forms arise from genetic mutations in GABAA_AA​ receptors, disrupting the balance between brain excitation and inhibition. This research examines how these mutations reduce receptor levels and explores drug strategies to restore inhibition, paving the way for improved epilepsy treatments.

Lead contamination in drinking water threatens millions. This research combines physics-based pipe models with machine learning to identify lead pipes using vibration data. Generating thousands of simulated signals enabled a classifier with 99% accuracy, offering a noninvasive, cost-effective method to locate hidden lead pipes and support safer water infrastructure worldwide.

Genetic cardiomyopathies arise from DNA errors that disrupt vital heart proteins and can be fatal in childhood. This research improves heart-targeted gene therapy by guiding treatments through the bloodstream using chemokine “traffic signals” and avoiding immune interference, enabling therapies to reach the heart more efficiently and potentially cure inherited heart disease.

A researcher explains how anatomical differences in the vagus nerve drive inconsistent outcomes in epilepsy treatment. By dissecting and 3D-mapping human vagus nerves, the team reveals major left–right differences, enabling more precise electrode placement. This work promises safer, more effective nerve stimulation therapies for epilepsy and other diseases.