Dr. Jennifer Y. Chen’s research program focuses on the development of novel antifibrotic therapies and biomarkers for patients with chronic liver disease.
The central theme of the Chorba Lab is to model clinically relevant phenomena in a controlled environment. The major goals are to develop new therapies, targets, and diagnostics that change paradigms in medicine. Inspired by clinical practice, we 1) develop biochemical tools and 2) tackle seemingly undruggable targets to 3) understand the mechanistic basis of cardiometabolic disease and beyond. We work at the interface of chemistry and biology, using the bidirectionality of bench-to-bedside research to expand our findings from any given disease model to the fundamental biology at play.
Mechanisms underlying transcriptional dysregulation, DNA damage responses, inflammation and resistance. Design theranostics targeting the cancer surface proteome and define synthetic lethal interactions.
We leverage interdisciplinary approaches in bioengineering, endocrinology, and physiology to determine molecular mechanisms of tissue crosstalk in osteoarthritis.
We innovate new imaging methods and model systems to elucidate the cell and molecular biology of neurodegenerative diseases and the role of microglia.
Mentorship Development:
2/2021 - Three Truths & Three Tries: Facing & Overcoming Critical Social Justice Challenges at the Micro, Mezzo & Macro Levels
5/2021 - Sharpening your Mentoring Skills (SyMS)
