Molecular Microbiology & Immunology

Nearly 100 trillion bacteria reside in our gut, yet, we rarely elicit a harmful immune and inflammatory response against them. How is such a peaceful coexistence achieved? Work in my lab focuses on studying the interactions between microbes and the host at the molecular level that ensures this host-microbe mutualism. We use germ-free mouse models in combination with broad array of genetic, cell biological and biochemical approaches to explore the complex interactions between intestinal bacteria and the immune system. The projects in the lab are focused on understanding 1) the role of immunity in regulating host-microbe interaction at the mucosal surface, 2) the composition of microbial communities closest to the mucosal surface and how they are perturbed during infection and inflammation and 3) the molecular mechanisms by which dietary cues regulate immune responses in the gut to bacteria.