Microbial Metabolization of Neuro-Active Compounds & Drugs

Driven by a passion for understanding the adaptive responses of bacteria to different stimuli, my lab studies the profound implications of the gut microbiome for human health. My team investigates microbial metabolism using cutting-edge analytical chemistry and microbiology techniques to identify previously unknown chemical signals generated by gut microbiota.

Our recent breakthrough revealed how gut microbes can compromise the effectiveness of medications for Parkinson’s disease patients. Through innovative ex vivo systems, my team studies how gut microbes influence key aspects of intestinal function, including bowel movement. Our research unveiled the microbiota's ability to metabolize drugs, impacting gut contractility. Moreover, we explore the complex chemical ecology of microbiota, and how this shapes microbial ecology.

Our findings shed light on how bacterial chemicals dictate the fate of microbial populations, offering valuable insights into gut health.

Aligning Functional Profiles for Effective Microbiome Reprogramming

Currently, the practice of probiotic formulation and fecal microbiota transplantation as methods of microbiome reprogramming shows great promise. However, these effects appear to be individual-dependent. Our research demonstrates that probiotic supplementation can enhance metabolic utilization of a microbial community, potentially boosting their adaptation and resistance against disturbances. We have found these mechanisms to be dependent on the genetic variations in the functional profiles of the probiotic and recipient microbiota. This aspect is often ignored in the design of microbiome-targeting interventions.

Using synthetic microbial communities and microfluidics-based culturing techniques, we aim to develop effective microbiota reprogramming, particularly for conditions where the gut-brain axis is pivotal. This requires an understanding of the alignment of functional profiles and metabolic activity among the microbial community and how bacterial cells orchestrate essential processes in response to environmental challenges, such as nutrient scarcity. We also investigate the collective behavior and biogeography of bacterial populations within specific ecological niches.

With a primary focus on unraveling the dynamics of human gut bacteria and their remarkable adaptability to changes in gut physiology, my lab aims to enrich our comprehension across diverse fields from fundamental microbiology to human health.

Healthy soil for a healthy gut

The famous saying “You are what you eat" may hold deeper significance than previously thought. It's not just about the food we consume, but also the soil in which our food is cultivated. My lab is part of a large consortium that aims to investigate how soil management practices impact the micronutrients, metabolites, and microbiome of crops, and in turn, the human gut microbiome and overall gut health. My lab applies ex vivo models to understand the latter with a focus on the impact on bowel movement.