Basic Science

Our basic-science research focuses on the impact of probiotics in neonatal gut development and inflammatory conditions. We work on mouse models for necrotizing enterocolitis, regulatory T cell deficiency-induced autoimmunity (scurfy mouse), and multiple sclerosis, etc. We specifically explore the immune modulatory mechanism of probiotics and probiotic-modulated gut microbiota and microbiota-associated metabolites. Recently we expanded our research interest in the effect of:

1. probiotics on gut-brain signals of the neonatal stress model
2. human breast milk factors on the function of probiotics in healthy newborn mice and autoimmune disorders
3. probiotic-educated T cell function
4. maternal-infant transfer of microbial modified immunity

Our research lab is also involved in clinical-research projects, including the completed infantile colic study and ongoing autism study. We process patient samples, analyze the circulating immune cells, plasma and fecal inflammatory biomarkers, gut-permeability markers, and stool DNA isolations for gut microbiota analysis, and monitor probiotic products’ quality by measuring how many CFUs are in the probiotic product.

Our lab actively supports clinical GI fellows’ research training and research projects, including assisting in institutional review board (IRB) protocol preparation, study design, sample processing, assay development, data analysis, and meeting presentations.