Research labs at Tulane University .

Albert Group

Polymer self-assemblyThin filmsNanoporous membranes

Julie N. L. Albert · Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

A polymer film can organize itself into structures useful for filtration, electronics, or cell culture. Julie Albert engineers nano- and micro-structured polymer materials using phase separation in block copolymers and polymer blends. Her group studies morphology, surface interactions, crystallization, and solvent processing to create tailored material structures. Applications include nanoporous membranes for oil-water separation and functional surfaces and scaffolds for cells. The work connects polymer self-assembly with energy, health, and environmental technology through the deliberate design of material architecture.

LMIndependently curated · Unclaimed

Lisa Morici Research Group

Vaccine developmentAdjuvantsBacterial infections

Lisa Morici · Interim Chair and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology

A vaccine must generate protection in the tissues where infection takes hold. Lisa Morici studies how adjuvants, immunization routes, and delivery locations influence vaccine responses against difficult bacterial infections. Her lab develops outer-membrane-vesicle vaccine platforms and explores alternatives for drug-resistant wound infections, including peptides and phage approaches. The research connects immunology with vaccine design and antimicrobial strategies. It is relevant to researchers interested in tissue-specific immunity, bacterial pathogenesis, and moving experimental vaccine candidates through careful preclinical evaluation.

JMIndependently curated · Unclaimed

McLachlan Lab

T-cell immunitySalmonellaImmunological memory

James McLachlan · Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology

Why can immunity hold an infection in check without clearing it completely? James McLachlan studies antigen-specific CD4 helper T-cell responses during persistent bacterial infection, including a mouse model of chronic Salmonella. His group investigates antigen presentation and immunological memory, and uses peptide-MHC tetramers to follow rare T-cell populations. Related research examines how biological sex affects responses to infections and vaccines. These projects connect cellular immunology with the design of interventions that generate the right response in the right anatomical location.

TYIndependently curated · Unclaimed

Tony Y. Hu Research Group

Disease diagnosticsNanomaterialsProteomics

Tony Y. Hu · Professor, Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Biotechnology Innovation

A useful disease signal may be present in blood but too faint for a conventional assay to detect. Tony Hu develops nanomaterial platforms and proteomic approaches that improve biomarker capture or amplify signals from pathogens and extracellular vesicles. His research aims to improve diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and quantitative measurement in complex biological samples, with applications including tuberculosis and viral identification. The work connects nanotechnology, biomarker discovery, and clinical diagnostic needs, offering a focused research match for interests in analytical tools and personalized diagnosis.

WCIndependently curated · Unclaimed

Wimley Lab

Membrane proteinsPeptide engineeringCombinatorial chemistry

William C. Wimley · George A. Adrouny Endowed Professor

How can a short peptide be designed to interact with a cell membrane in a useful way? William Wimley investigates the structure, folding, and design of membrane proteins using peptide models. His lab combines traditional and combinatorial chemistry with high-throughput screening to develop membrane-spanning pores and peptides that recognize receptors associated with cancer. Potential applications include antibiotic design, drug delivery, and biosensors. The work connects fundamental membrane biophysics with the engineering of molecules that control or exploit interactions at cellular boundaries.