COUNTER-DISEASE ENGINEERING
SHEMESH LAB
Introduction
Counter-Disease Engineering
The Counter-Disease-Engineering group (Shemesh Lab), is making new tools to study, mitigate, and reverse devastating diseases of the nervous system. We are mainly focused on dementia and brain cancers.
A major focus of the lab is infectious neuroscience, the idea that major brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, are caused by pathogens (bacteria, viruses and fungi). We are using novel technologies to study this idea, at unprecedented resolutions, record speed, and unvisited localities in the brain to ask questions about the cause of disease.
Disease focus: We are targeting neurodegenerative disease in particular (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS, CTE, neurodegenerative blindness, epilepsy (yes, epilepsy involves neurodegeneration!), autism spectrum disorders and more.
Engineering disciplines: Anything goes: molecular engineering, bioengineering, nanotechnology, electrical engineering, new microscopies and computer science.
Deciphering the Alzheimer’s Enigma Using Technology | Or Shemesh | TEDxMIT
Philosophies
Shemesh Lab
Asking scientific questions: We choose questions directly addressing the etiology of neural degeneration . It is easy to correlate just about anything to any disease of the brain. However, such studies will not improve the lives of patients. We are taking a different road. Asking what causes a disease, and whether a theory about a disease is correct or not.
Building scientific tools: We make sure to think backwards from a problem: “we have this biomedical impasse, what kind of tool can solve it?” and work from there.
Working in a group: Group members choose and spearhead the projects that they are passionate about. We support lab members in terms of science, funding, mentorship, and work-life-balance. We encourage collaboration between group members,and collaboration with other groups, where the magic happens!
Diversity: Our group will put an emphasis on diversity and inclusion. We gladly work with people, mentor people, write with people and promote people based on their scientific merit. All Race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, language, disability and nationality are welcome to celebrate science!
Having fun: If it is not fun, then there is no use doing science. See this video of the late Ben Barres, about how to find a lab that you like. We are enjoying what we do, and also enjoy doing it together.
Sharing resources and data: As a group that creates tools, we are committed to disseminating them as soon as we validate them. We gladly share reagents and protocols, once we know that they are safe and work well.
Working With the Best in the World!
