Basic Research Programs
Basic research at Pars Medicine explores fundamental mechanisms of biology, disease, and health to generate new knowledge that forms the foundation for future medical breakthroughs. Our basic scientists investigate questions at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels, using cutting-edge technologies to understand how biological processes work in health and go awry in disease.
Mission and Approach
Our basic research mission is to uncover fundamental biological principles that will ultimately transform medical care. We pursue curiosity-driven research asking: How do cells communicate? What makes cancer cells grow uncontrollably? How does the brain process information? What determines the balance between health and disease? These fundamental questions generate insights that lead to new diagnostics, therapeutics, and preventive strategies.
We embrace an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together expertise from molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, pharmacology, and computational biology. Our researchers collaborate across traditional disciplinary boundaries, applying diverse methodologies to complex biological questions.
Research Focus Areas
Cancer Biology
Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Research areas include:
- Oncogenic signaling pathways and tumor suppressor mechanisms
- Cancer stem cells and tumor heterogeneity
- Tumor microenvironment and cancer-immune system interactions
- DNA damage response and genomic instability
- Epigenetic alterations in cancer
- Metabolism in cancer cells
- Mechanisms of metastasis and cancer dormancy
Immunology and Host Defense
Investigating how the immune system protects against infection and cancer while maintaining tolerance to self. Key research areas include:
- Innate and adaptive immune responses
- T cell and B cell biology
- Immune tolerance and autoimmunity
- Immunometabolism and immune cell function
- Mucosal immunity and microbiome interactions
- Vaccine development and immune memory
- Inflammatory pathways and resolution of inflammation
Neuroscience
Exploring brain structure, function, development, and disease at multiple scales from molecules to neural circuits. Research encompasses:
- Neural development and brain plasticity
- Synaptic transmission and neural circuits
- Neurodegeneration and protein aggregation
- Neuroinflammation and neuroimmunology
- Neurotransmitter systems and signaling
- Learning, memory, and cognitive function
- Neural stem cells and regeneration
Cardiovascular Biology
Understanding heart and blood vessel function in health and disease. Areas of investigation include:
- Cardiac development and congenital heart defects
- Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmia mechanisms
- Heart failure and cardiac remodeling
- Atherosclerosis and vascular biology
- Angiogenesis and vascular development
- Cardiac metabolism and energetics
- Cardiomyocyte biology and regeneration
Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders
Studying metabolic regulation and endocrine function. Research focuses on:
- Insulin signaling and glucose metabolism
- Adipocyte biology and obesity
- Mitochondrial function and metabolic disease
- Lipid metabolism and dyslipidemia
- Hormonal regulation of metabolism
- Energy balance and appetite control
- Metabolic liver disease
Genetics and Genomics
Leveraging genomic technologies to understand genetic contributions to health and disease:
- Gene regulation and transcriptional control
- Chromatin structure and epigenetic modifications
- Non-coding RNA function
- Genetic variation and disease susceptibility
- Genome editing and CRISPR technologies
- Single-cell genomics and cellular heterogeneity
- Computational genomics and bioinformatics
Infectious Disease and Microbiology
Investigating host-pathogen interactions and microbial pathogenesis:
- Viral replication and immune evasion
- Bacterial pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance
- Host innate immune responses to infection
- Microbiome composition and host-microbe interactions
- Emerging infectious diseases
- Fungal and parasitic infections
Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
Exploring stem cell properties and regenerative potential:
- Embryonic and adult stem cell biology
- Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)
- Tissue regeneration and repair mechanisms
- Organoid development and disease modeling
- Stem cell differentiation and fate determination
- Tissue engineering approaches
Research Laboratories and Principal Investigators
Our basic research programs are led by over 80 principal investigators directing independent research laboratories. Each lab focuses on specific research questions while contributing to broader departmental and institutional research themes. Faculty investigators hold positions in departments including:
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology
- Department of Neuroscience
- Department of Pharmacology
- Department of Physiology
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences
Core Facilities and Technologies
Basic researchers have access to state-of-the-art core facilities providing advanced technologies:
- Genomics Core - Next-generation sequencing, RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, single-cell sequencing
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry - Protein identification, post-translational modifications, metabolomics
- Flow Cytometry - Multi-parameter cell analysis and cell sorting
- Imaging Core - Confocal, two-photon, electron microscopy, live-cell imaging
- Bioinformatics - Computational analysis, data visualization, algorithm development
- Transgenic and Genome Editing - CRISPR/Cas9, mouse models, viral vectors
- Structural Biology - X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, NMR spectroscopy
Publications and Impact
Basic research at Pars Medicine generates high-impact discoveries published in leading scientific journals including Nature, Science, Cell, and specialized journals across disciplines. Our faculty publish over 400 research articles annually, advancing knowledge across biomedical sciences.
Recent notable discoveries include:
- Identification of novel molecular pathways regulating cancer metastasis
- Development of new CRISPR-based gene editing tools
- Discovery of immune checkpoint molecules with therapeutic potential
- Elucidation of neural circuits underlying memory formation
- Characterization of metabolic pathways in cardiovascular disease
Training and Education
Basic research laboratories provide exceptional training environments for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate researchers. Training programs include:
- PhD Programs - Biomedical Sciences graduate program with diverse specializations
- MD/PhD Program - Combined physician-scientist training
- Postdoctoral Fellowships - Advanced research training across disciplines
- Summer Research Programs - Undergraduate research experiences
- Research Rotations - Laboratory exposure for medical and graduate students
Funding Support
Basic research programs are supported by competitive funding from NIH, NSF, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, private foundations, and institutional resources. Our Office of Research provides grant writing support, regulatory guidance, and research administration.
Collaboration and Resources
We foster collaborative research through:
- Departmental and interdisciplinary seminar series
- Research symposia and retreats
- Shared core facilities and equipment
- Pilot grant programs for collaborative projects
- Partnerships with other academic institutions and industry
For more information: Explore our Faculty Research Directory, contact the Office of Basic Research at