Research

Research Areas

Research in my group largely revolves around the development and application of bioinfomatics and system biological algorithms that we apply on biological/biomedical problems. Furthermore, we focus on the computational analysis of large-scale biological datasets. As for social sciences, research focuses on the analysis and modeling of datasets from social media.

miR induced splicing

Using AI algorithms we predict the binding of microRNAs to mRNAs to thwart the formation of secondary structures that are splicerelevant. We call this mechanism MIMOSAS ( Micro-RNA Mediated Obstruction of Stem-loop Alternatve Splicing), that we investiaget with Grace Zhai (University of Miami Medical School) and I. Hofacker (Univ. of Vienna, Austria).

Minor intron genes

Together with Elke Muehlberger (Boston Univ.) and A. Emili (Oregon Health and Science University), we are investigating the effect of minor intron containing genes on viral infections and cancer. In this project we determine repurposed drugs with AI methods that will be tested experimentally on their efficacies to combat viruses and cancer.

Multi-omics of PTSD

Together with C. Nemeroff (Univ. of Texas), K. Ressler and N. Daskalakis (Harvard Univ.) and J. Kleinman (Johns-Hopkins), we are measuring and model multi-omics data sets of pateints that sugger from Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We use computational methods to integrate these datasets to find drug targets that combat PTSD.

Symmetry of biological networks

Together with H. Makse (Physics, City College of New York), we are analying the symmetrical characteristics of biological network. Such symmetry properties point to cancer and disease relevant points of intervention.

Conspiracy theories

Conspiracy theories are running rampant. In this project, we analyze social media networks to find the eays conspiracy theories travle thorugh the social media world. Furthermore, we develop algorithms to classifiy theories and find the building blocks of theories. This project is in collaboration with M. Murthi, K. Premarate (CSC), J. Uscinski, K. Clofstad (Political Science), J. Funchion (English), M. Seelig (Communications) at the University of Miami and S. Kuebler (Lingusitics) and A. Dieckman (Psychology) at Indiana University.

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Online hate

In collaboration with N. Johnson (Physics) and Y. Lupu (Political Science) at George Washington University, we devise algorithms to classify types of online hate. Furthermore, we collect and analyse data how the level of hatred changes when extremist and hate groups develop when they get depaltformed and appear on a different social media platform.