The GI Biomarkers Laboratory studies gastrointestinal cancer and pre-cancer biogenesis and biomarkers. The lab is led by Dr. Stephen Meltzer, who is known for his research in the molecular pathobiology of gastrointestinal malignancy and premalignancy. Research in the lab has led to several groundbreaking genomic, epigenomic and bioinformatic studies of esophageal and colonic neoplasms, shifting the gastrointestinal research paradaigm toward genome-wide approaches.

The Clinical Laboratory and Biomarkers Cores will coordinate access to laboratory expertise, testing, training, specimen repositories and Good Clinical Laboratory Practices (GCLP). The goals of this core are to assure that all JHU HIV investigators have access to and utilize appropriate, validated and, where applicable, certified laboratory assays. The core will also maintain a biomarker specimen repository for storage cataloguing and utilization of biological specimens.

Dr. Meltzer is an internationally renowned leader in the molecular pathobiology of gastrointestinal malignancy and premalignancy. He invented molecular methods to detect loss of heterozygosity in tiny biopsies, triggering an avalanche of research on precancerous lesions. He was the first to comprehensively study coding region microsatellite instability, leading to the identification of several important tumor suppressor genes. He performed several groundbreaking genomic, epigenomic and bioinformatic studies of esophageal and colonic neoplasms, shifting the GI research paradigm toward genome-wide approaches. He directed an ambitious nationwide validation study of DNA methylation-based biomarkers for the prediction of neoplastic progression in Barrett’s esophagus. Dr. Meltzer founded and led the Aerodigestive Cancer and Biomarker Interdisciplinary Programs at the University of Maryland, also becoming associate director for core sciences at that school’s Cancer Center. He currently holds an endowed professorship and is the director of GI biomarker research at Johns Hopkins. The laboratory group focuses its efforts on the molecular genetics of gastrointestinal cancers and premalignant lesions, as well as on translational research to improve early detection, prognostic evaluation, and treatment of these conditions. Below, some examples of this work are described.

The Abadir Lab focuses on uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying frailty, resilience, and age-related diseases to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical applications. Grounded in translational research, the lab investigates the intricate interplay between mitochondrial biology, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and chronic inflammation, with an emphasis on their roles in physical and cognitive decline.

Key Areas of Research

1. Mitochondrial and Angiotensin Biology
   • Discovery and exploration of the mitochondrial angiotensin system (MAS) as a critical regulator of cellular energy, inflammation, and resilience.
   • Investigating age-related mitochondrial dysfunction and its contribution to frailty, chronic inflammation, and neurodegeneration.
2. Biomarker Development
   • Identification of novel biomarkers for aging-related frailty and resilience, including cell-free DNA fragments and kynurenine metabolites.
   • Development of diagnostic tools for early detection of physical and cognitive decline.
3. Innovative Therapeutics and Bioengineering
   • Designing nano-delivery systems for targeted drug delivery to mitochondria, enhancing wound healing and reversing cellular senescence.
   • Integration of artificial intelligence and engineering to create advanced diagnostic tools for assessing frailty and aging-related conditions.
4. AI and Technology in Aging
   • Leveraging artificial intelligence and bioengineering to address challenges in geriatric medicine through collaborations with the Johns Hopkins AI & Technology Collaboratory for Aging Research (AITC) and the Gerotech Incubator Program.

Our Approach

The Abadir Lab employs a multidisciplinary methodology, combining molecular biology, bioinformatics, and engineering to tackle the pressing health challenges of aging populations. By fostering collaboration between clinicians, scientists, and engineers, the lab ensures that discoveries translate into tangible benefits for older adults.

Translational Impact

With a focus on frailty, inflammation, and cognitive decline, the Abadir Lab contributes to the development of personalized interventions and precision medicine approaches. Our work has laid the foundation for:

• Repurposing drugs like losartan and valsartan for treating aging-related chronic wounds.
• Unveiling the role of mitochondrial dysregulation in Alzheimer’s disease and frailty.
• Innovating tools for clinical assessments of resilience and functional decline.

Collaborations and Mentorship

The Abadir Lab is committed to training the next generation of scientists, fostering an interdisciplinary environment where students and postdocs explore cutting-edge aging science. Collaborations with the Johns Hopkins GeroTech Incubator Program and the Translational Aging Research Training Program (T32) further enrich this ecosystem of innovation.

Join Us

Whether you're a researcher, student, or collaborator, the Abadir Lab welcomes individuals passionate about transforming aging research into clinical practice.

Research in the John Aucott Lab focuses on the development of accurate diagnostic tests for all stages of Lyme disease. We work closely with Dr. Mark Soloski on the Study of Lyme disease Immunology and Clinical Events (SLICE), a longitudinal, matched-control study of patients diagnosed with early untreated Lyme disease. The objective is to use the collected biological samples to help identify novel Lyme disease biomarkers that can inform diagnoses, outcomes and the knowledge about disease pathophysiology.

Dr. Parikh's research focuses on the translation and validation of novel biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of acute kidney injury. Progress in kidney diseases has been hamstrung by significant heterogeneity within the current disease definitions, which are largely based on serum creatinine. Dr. Parikh's research has addressed this critical challenge by developing biomarkers of renal tubular injury, repair, and inflammation to dissect this heterogeneity. He has assembled multicenter longitudinal prospective cohorts for translational research studies across several clinical settings of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease for the efficient translation of novel biomarkers.

His research is dedicated to the process of applying discoveries generated in the laboratory and in preclinical experiments, the development of clinical studies, and the design of clinical trials. Dr. Parikh's studies have refined the clinical definition in perioperative acute kidney injury and hepatorenal syndrome, developed strategies to reduce kidney discard in deceased donor transplantation, and advanced regulatory approvals of kidney injury biomarkers. He has also developed biomarkers to identify rapid progressors of early diabetic kidney disease before derangements in serum creatinine. Dr. Parikh's research goal is to translate our understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms into clinical practice and improve the outcomes in patients with kidney disease.

Dr. Parikh has also been the recipient of numerous honors, including the 2017 Young Investigator Award from the American Society of Nephrology.

The Zhu lab is focused on characterizing the activities of large collection of proteins, building signaling networks for better understanding the mechanisms of biological processes, and identifying biomarkers in human diseases and cancers. More specifically, our group is interested in analyzing protein posttranslational modifications, and identifying important components involved in transcription networks and host-pathogen interactions on the proteomics level, and biomarkers in human IBD diseases.

The Elizabeth Selvin Lab examines the intersection of epidemiology, clinical policy and public health policy. One of our key goals is to use the findings of epidemiologic research to inform the screening, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. Much of our work looks at biomarkers and diagnostics related to diabetes and diabetes complications. Our findings — linking hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) to diabetic complications and identifying the role of A1c in diabetes diagnosis — have influenced clinical practice guidelines.

Utilizing a combination of tissue-based, cell-based, and molecular approaches, our research goals focus on abnormal telomere biology as it relates to cancer initiation and tumor progression, with a particular interest in the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) phenotype. In addition, our laboratories focus on cancer biomarker discovery and validation with the ultimate aim to utilize these novel tissue-based biomarkers to improve individualized prevention, detection, and treatment strategies.

The Laura Hummers Lab participates in a number of clinical trials and clinical investigations at the Scleroderma Center at Johns Hopkins. We have a particular interest in the predictors of outcomes in scleroderma. We’ve established a prospective cohort of 300 scleroderma patients to identify incident vascular outcomes in the hopes of identifying new biomarkers for disease development and progression.