Lu Lab
The goal of research at the Lu Lab is to understand the complex gene-environment interactions that are critically involved in diseases relevant to public health.
665 Huntington Avenue
Building I, Room 305
Boston, MA 02115
Our Work
The environment has an enormous impact on human health, and exposures to environmental toxicants can lead to the development of a myriad of diseases. The overall goal of my research is to understand the complex gene-environment interactions that are critically involved in diseases relevant to public health. The unprecedented and breathtaking developments in modern genetics and genomics have the potential to advance our fundamental mechanistic understanding of how the environment impacts health and to transform environmental health sciences.
We use cutting-edge genetics and genomics approaches (e.g., RNAi screen and Next-Generation sequencing) to discover genes and genetic networks central to the development of environmental diseases. A combination of molecular, cellular, and biochemical approaches as well as animal models are then employed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Through collaborations with epidemiologists and clinicians, we also aim to understand the genetic basis of individual variation in susceptibility to environmental exposures in the human population.
Major areas of focus include:
- Genetic mechanisms of metal neurotoxicity
- Integrative genomics of lung physiology and disease (asthma)
- Novel microvesicle-mediated intercellular communication in lung and environmental diseases
Lab Team
Bo completed his PhD in Bioengineering at the University of British Columbia studying airway structure and function. He joined the T.H. Chan Harvard School of Public Health in 2015 as a Research Fellow to continue his scientific research in the field of respiratory physiology. Outside of work, he enjoys film photograph and a nice long walk with his dog.
Research Areas: Respiratory physiology; restoring lung health in patients with respiratory diseases; microRNA contribution to the development of respiratory disease like asthma.
Charlotte completed her undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology from Ohio Northern University and joined the Lu Lab in 2018. When not in the lab, Charlotte makes quilts, knits, or plays board games with friends. She is an avid gardener and has an apartment filled to the brim with plants.
Research Areas: Microglia as moderators of Alzheimer’s Disease pathogenesis through extracellular vesicle cargo and their modulation via heavy metal exposure.
Joe is from the Bay Area, and now he is finishing up his PhD. Outside of his research, he is interested in the intersection of biology and the community.
Research Areas: ARMMs biogenesis and trafficking.
Ron is from the Philippines and has been with the Lu lab for several years. Outside of the lab, Ron enjoys movies, sports, travel, a really good IPA, and trying to learn to play the cello.
Research Areas: Mechanisms of asthma and environmental toxicants-induced cell death.
Outside of the lab, Sengjin enjoys playing soccer.
Research Areas: Novel vaccination development using extracellular vesicles. Study of ARMMs as a delivery system with biological function
Research Areas: Role of pulmonary immune responses to inhaled pathogens and air pollutants; exploring the aspects of lung macrophages as an immunotherapeutic target to enhance lung host immune defense against acute lung infection.
