Faculty Labs and Research

The Beuning Laboratory at Northeastern is focused on understanding the structure-function-dynamics relationships of proteins and enzymes, with a particular focus on proteins involved in DNA metabolism and DNA damage tolerance.

The Biomaterials Design Group works at the interface of bio-analytical chemistry, materials science, and design. We investigate fundamental mechanisms behind systems in biology and use our understanding to better inform the design new classes of protein-based biomaterials that may interface with or enhance the performance of humans.

The Thakur Lab’s research has a multi-dimensional aspect with a focus on treating a plethora of diseases and disorders. They target receptors like cannabinoid, nicotinic, and other protein complexes with the intent of designing pharmacotherapy for Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, anorexia nervosa, glaucoma, obesity, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Professor Wanunu’s research involves studying biosystems at the nanoscale (macromolecular and sub-molecular levels).

The Zhang Group develops macromolecular systems to provide answers to important questions in biology and medicine.

SunnyLand applies protein chemistry, analysis and engineering to biology and medicine.

In the Apfeld Lab, we want to understand how the brain regulates aging and resilience across cells, tissues, and the whole organism. Using the nematode C. elegans, we bring together molecular genetics, quantitative cell biology, mathematical modeling, engineering, and new technologies such as live imaging of protein oxidation and automated lifespan measurement to uncover fundamental principles that…

The Woods Laboratory is interested in studying the role of mitochondria in normal and disease states, with a major emphasis on female reproductive function and health.

Research in Prof. Zupanc’s laboratory focuses on the exploration of neural mechanisms underlying structural plasticity in the adult central nervous system of vertebrates.

The Laboratory for the Modeling of Biological and Socio-technical Systems (MOBS) is home to research projects aiming at developing innovative mathematical models and computational tools to better understand large-scale complex networks and systems.

Professor Kar’s interests lie in the investigation of electronic, optical, and electrochemical properties of graphene and development of graphene-based applications, including energy generation and storage.

DK-Lab research focuses on the theory and fundamentals of complex networks. Research topics of particular interest to the lab are latent network geometry, maximum-entropy random graph ensembles and random geometric graphs, causal sets, navigation in networks, and fundamentals of network dynamics.