We are very curious about how bacteria respond to various stimuli. Some fascinating aspects are: How does their spatial organization allow them to survive and thrive? How do they adapt their metabolism to utilize available resources, such as neurotransmitters? Are there keystone metabolites that unify the metabolic activity of these microbes regardless of their differences among individuals? Can we find these keystone metabolites among other microbiome-associated hosts like soil and plants? Through our experimental approaches, we investigate how the microbial metabolic activities influence essential intestinal functions like bowel movement and drug metabolism. Our goal is to uncover insights into both gut health and microbial ecology and adaptation. We work with bacteria isolated from disease models, such as Parkinson’s and inflammatory bowel disease, and compare their behavior with their healthy counterparts.

Pre- and probiotic formulas, along with fecal material transplants, offer promising avenues for microbiome intervention. However, individual responses vary, and we are still exploring how these microbial communities interact to design the most effective combinations. We employ analytical techniques, microfluidics-based culturing, and imaging in synthetic microbial communities. This allows us to address the fundamental question of how bacterial cells adapt to environmental challenges and how microbial populations behave within their niches. Ultimately, our goal is to achieve effective, tailored microbial reprogramming.