URAO LAB
at SUNY
We study how metabolism programs regenerative immunity.
Healing / regeneration requires more than suppressing inflammation—it requires reprogramming the immune system. Our laboratory studies how metabolism directs innate immune cells to transition from inflammatory to regenerative states. By integrating immunometabolism, RNA biology, epigenetics, and stem cell biology, we seek to uncover mechanisms that restore tissue homeostasis and develop new therapies for chronic wounds and inflammatory diseases.
RESEARCH
Tissue Regeneration and Wound Healing
We are interested in studying the scientific mechanisms which shape and guide the processes of tissue regeneration and wound healing. Our long-term goal is to develop biomarkers that can identify and characterize the risk of cardiovascular diseases and unhealed wounds. You can read on to find out more about these projects below.
Metabolic Control of Tissue Repair and Wound Healing
Successful tissue repair requires inflammatory immune cells to transition from host defense to tissue restoration. Our laboratory investigates how metabolic pathways regulate macrophage functions, including efferocytosis, lysosomal remodeling, lipid metabolism, and inflammation resolution during wound healing. We study why obesity and diabetes impair these processes and develop metabolism-based therapeutic strategies to restore regenerative immune responses in chronic wounds.
Metabolic Programming of Innate Immunity
Nutrients and metabolites are not simply sources of cellular energy—they function as signaling molecules that shape immune cell behavior. We investigate how metabolic pathways regulate epigenetic and epitranscriptomic mechanisms that determine inflammatory activation, immune memory, and resolution programs in macrophages and other myeloid cells. Our goal is to identify fundamental mechanisms that can be therapeutically targeted in inflammatory diseases.
Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Myeloid Cell Development
Chronic metabolic stress alters hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, leading to persistent changes in immune cell production and function. Our laboratory studies how obesity, aging, inflammation, and clonal hematopoiesis reshape myeloid development through metabolic and epigenetic mechanisms. We aim to understand how these long-term changes contribute to chronic inflammatory diseases and impaired tissue repair.
Physiologically relevant oxygen condition
Our lab uses the BioSpherix C-Shuttle Glove Box combined with the Incubator Subchamber System to incubate and handle cell cultures under physiologically relevant oxygen conditions.
TEAM MEMBERS
Norifumi
Urao
Principle Investigator
Julia
Drolet
Graduate Assistant
Aric
Lechner
Research Specialist (F)
Madison
Babcock
Research Specialist
Ian Davis
Student Assistant (F)
Ian
Davis
Student Assistant
Kentaro
Takahashi
Postdoctoral (F)
​
POSITION OPENINGS
Research Opportunities at Urao Lab
As a growing Science Laboratory, we are currently looking to expand our team. Below is a list of open positions. Please get in touch with any questions about the application process, or submit your CV and cover letter to apply.
January 25, 2025
STUDENT RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Variety of projects related to our research are available. Please contact to discuss an opportunity at the lab.
January 25, 2025
POSTDOC
A person who want to develop a career in our field of study should contact.
January 30, 2025
MEDICAL STUDENT
As we develop a translational and clinical research project with clinical departments at Upstate, there is an opportunity to join us from the launching phase of the project. Related areas are obesity/diabetes, wound healing, innate immunity, sepsis and bariatric surgery.
CONTACT US
Thanks for your interest in our research. Get in touch with us for any questions or comments regarding our work and publications. We’d love to hear from you.
766 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
315-464-7984
