Research Areas

During pregnancy, the maternal microbiome responds to environmental challenges, such as infection and dietary alterations, and regulates numerous biochemicals across the maternal and fetal bloodstreams. We find that the maternal microbiome during pregnancy modifies environmental influences on placental and fetal brain development, with lasting changes in brain function and behavior of the offspring.

The gut microbiome and immune system are at the interface of gene-environmental interactions across many neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric, and neurodegenerative conditions. We find that specific alterations in the gut microbiome and immune system can increase risk for brain and behavioral abnormalities in models of various neurological diseases, such as autism, epilepsy, cognitive impairment, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. We also find that specific microbiome-based interventions can be used to treat symptoms of neurological diseases.

Many gastrointestinal and metabolic conditions are associated with alterations in the gut microbiome and neurochemicals. We find that microbiome-neurochemical interactions can contribute to risk for irritable bowel syndrome and influence metabolic health.

The gut microbiome regulates hundreds of biochemicals in the host. We find that specific gut microbes regulate the synthesis of neuroactive molecules, such as serotonin, which impact neuronal activity across the gut-brain axis. We further find that select bacteria can directly interact with neurochemicals to promote their own fitness in the gastrointestinal tract and alter host responses to common medications that target neurochemical signaling pathways.