Research

We leverage success in autism-microbiome, microbiome-metabolism, microbiome-bioremediation, basic and translational research to advance microbial interventions to enhance health.  

Building Biodesign’s capacity, in concert with strong clinical and industrial collaborations, the center also generates discoveries on a wide range of interventions involving nutrition, probiotics and antibiotics. Many of these interventions target gut-brain interactions. Our translational center leads on microbial strategies to better manage obesity, autism and possibly other neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. 

Areas of investigation include:  

• Microbiome-mediated gut-brain interactions.
• Autism spectrum disorder-microbiome connection.
• Inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract immune response.
• Gut microbiome development in early childhood and malnutrition outcomes.
• Nutrition, diet and food additive effects on gut microbiome and disease.
• Interplay between human microbiomes, the environment and chemical-microbiome interactions.
• Host-genetic effects on the gut microbiome.

Our capabilities: 

• Fully equipped microbiology and molecular biology facility for classic microbiology and genomic-based analysis of microbial communities.
• Deep expertise and capacity for bioinformatic analysis of microbial communities.
• Know-how in design, operation and analysis of anaerobic bioreactors and microbial communities.
• Immune phenotyping and analysis of inflammatory responses.
• Metabolic kitchens for feeding studies.
• Extensive experience with human clinical trials.

Industry collaboration and support