Decoding the Chemical Language of Host-Microbiota Interaction

UNDERSTANDING HOW MICROBES COMMUNICATE WITH US

Microbes produce a vast array of molecules that influence host biology. Our research seeks to decode the molecular conversations between the gut microbiota and the host immune system. We use chemical biology to discover these microbial signals, understand how they are sensed by the host, and uncover their roles in health and disease.

A major focus of our research is microbiota-derived peptidoglycan fragments (PGNs), which are key molecular messengers at the interface between microbes and the host. We develop cutting-edge chemical tools and analytical platforms to identify, track and characterize these moelcules and decopher their biological functions. 

Ultimately, we aim to translate these fundamental discoveries into targeted microbiome-based therapeutics to combat inflammatory and infectious diseases.