Our Lab
We are a multi-disciplinary group of immunologists, cancer biologists, metabolism experts, physicians and data analysts, who collaborate to conduct innovative microbiome research using cutting-edge technologies. We utilize a variety of methodologies, which encompass in-vitro experiments, animal models, large-scale human studies, advanced metabolic profiling and genomic data analyses to uncover the role of the microbiome in human health and disease.
Our Research
For over a century immunology and microbiology focused on pathogens and how to eliminate them, which resulted in the discovery of antibiotics and vaccines. The last two decades marked the advent of microbiome research, as scientists realized that trillions of commensal microorganisms contribute to almost every aspect of human physiology. Bacteria, viruses, fungi and even parasites can modulate metabolic and inflammatory processes in the gut and extra-intestinal organs in various ways, and thereby give rise to or prevent diseases.
Our Vision
We set out to investigate host-microbiome interactions and harness them to promote health and combat human diseases. In order to grasp the interactions among the multitude of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract and between those microorganisms and the human cells, we harness advance machine-learning algorithms and validate our findings using cutting-edge technologies, such as nucleic acid sequencing instruments (including single-cell sequencing), anaerobic chambers for growing fastidious commensal microorganisms, a state-of-the-art germ-free animal facility and organoid growing techniques. Eventually, we translate our findings from the bench to bedside by conducting human clinical studies.
Accomplishments
We have contributed to microbiome research by unraveling aspects of the host-microbiome crosstalk, such as personalized nutrition, circadian rhythmicity and relapsing obesity. We have elucidated the microbiome ecosystem within the host and microbiome-mediated molecular mechanisms, such as inflammasome activation and exogenous probiotic supplementation. We have investigated mechanisms to harness the microbiome in human diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases and acute liver failure.
