Microbial universe within can improve health
The Biodesign Center for Health Through Microbiomes is an innovative ecosystem for unlocking the potential of microbes to develop microbial-based health diagnostics and interventions to become a leader in microbiome research. Microbiomes are communities of microbes that exist throughout the human body, including our gut, skin, mouth and reproductive system.
These microbes can affect our health in positive or negative ways. They produce vitamins, help us digest food, train our immune systems, produce and consume neurotransmitters and protect us against pathogens. However, our microbiomes can be thrown off balance by our industrialized lifestyle, daily exposures to pollution, poor diet and overuse of antibiotics. This contributes to many problems including obesity, undernutrition, Type 2 diabetes, autism, depression, clostridium difficile infections, irritable bowel syndrome, colon cancer, food allergies and altered drug metabolism. Increased understanding of the human microbiome will enable us to prevent or fix microbial imbalances.
Director
Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown
Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown is an expert in using microorganisms to solve problems in human health and the environment. She is leading research into the connection between gut bacteria and the conditions of autism and obesity/metabolism. Other areas of interest include bioremediation of soil, sediments and groundwater and the use of microbial systems to produce energy.
Welcome to the Biodesign Center for Health Through Microbiomes with Professor Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown
Meet our center’s experts
Our center is supported by a knowledgeable team of researchers, staff and visionary leaders who are at the leading edge of their fields.
Contact
For questions about collaborations and center administration, please contact:
Support the Biodesign Center for Health Through Microbiomes
Creating fundamental knowledge for microbe-based health interventions.