Ryan J. Weiss

Ryan J. Weiss is an Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia’s Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a member of the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center. His research focuses on understanding the genetic and epigenetic regulation of glycosylation in human diseases, particularly cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. Weiss leads the Weiss Lab, which develops novel drugs and drug targets by integrating genomic tools, molecular biology, and chemical biology approaches.

Education:

• B.S. in Chemistry, Point Loma Nazarene University (2008)
• Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of California, San Diego (2015)

Research Interests:

His work investigates how glycosylation processes are regulated across time and tissues, with a focus on transcriptional and epigenetic control mechanisms. Key areas include glycobiology, drug discovery for rare diseases like mucopolysaccharidosis, and the role of glycosaminoglycans in tumor ferroptosis resistance and Alzheimer’s disease. The lab employs genome-wide screens, CRISPR technologies, and biochemical assays to uncover novel therapeutic targets.

Recent Trends in Publications:

Recent work highlights the lab’s contributions to understanding GAG-driven biological processes (e.g., tumor protection via lipoprotein uptake), developing analytical methods for glycan profiling, and modeling genetic diseases in Drosophila and zebrafish systems. These studies bridge fundamental biology and translational applications in drug development.

Affiliations & Lab:

As part of the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, Dr. Weiss collaborates on interdisciplinary projects. The Weiss Lab is actively involved in training postdoctoral researchers and graduate students, though no named advisees are listed here. The lab’s website (weisslaboratory.com) provides additional details on ongoing projects and recruitment opportunities.