Pediatric GI Research Lab
L-R: Shabba Armbrister, Yuying Liu, PhD; J. Marc Rhoads, MD; Tu Mai, MD; and Research Coordinator Nicole Fatheree.
The Pediatric GI Research Lab works to identify the role of probiotics and other gut microbial factors in the regulation of neonatal gut development and inflammatory conditions. The lab team works on mouse models for necrotizing enterocolitis, regulatory T cell deficiency-induced autoimmunity (scurfy mouse), multiple sclerosis, and more. The team specifically explores the immune modulatory mechanism of probiotics and probiotic-modulated gut microbiota and microbiota-associated metabolites. The lab recently expanded its research interest to include 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; and (4) maternal-infant transfer of microbial modified immunity.
This lab is also involved in clinical research projects, including the completed infantile colic study and ongoing autism study. This versatile group processes patient samples; analyzes the circulating immune cells, plasma and fecal inflammatory biomarkers, gut permeability markers, and stool DNA isolations for gut microbiota analysis; and monitors probiotic products’ quality by measuring how many CFUs are in the probiotic product.
Lab Information
6431 Fannin Street | MSB 3.140 lab | Houston, TX 77030
713-500-5747 lab
Principal Investigators
J. Marc Rhoads, MDDirector, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition Division
