The human intestinal microbiota is a complex and dynamic consortium of microbes that is crucial for human health and disease prevention. Our lab has been studying the abundant bacterial members of this ecosystem to understand how they interact with each other both cooperatively and antagonistically to form these health-promoting communities. We use basic microbiological, genetic, biochemical, and gnotobiotic mouse analyses, combined with genomic, metagenomic and computational analyses to understand these complex interactions. We have discovered numerous classes of new antimicrobial proteins that these bacteria use to compete in their ecosystem, and we are studying their mechanisms of action, ecological properties, and how we may translate these molecules for human health benefits. Another focus of the lab is the evolution of microbes in the human gut and how genetic elements horizontally transferred between bacterial species personalize each individual’s gut microbiota and the phenotypes and community benefits conferred by these shared genetic elements.
Brigham and Women's Hospital / Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA
Postdoctoral Fellowship - Bacteroides fragilis genetics
1996
University of Maryland Medical Center / Center for Vaccine Development
Baltimore, MD
Postdoctoral Fellowship - Vibrio cholerae pathogenesis
1995
Wake Forest University Medical Center / Bowman Gray School of Medicine
Winston-Salem, NC
PhD - Microbiology and Immunology
1991
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY
BS - Biology
1987
Comprehensive analyses of a large human gut Bacteroidales culture collection reveal species and strain level diversity and evolution.
Comprehensive analyses of a large human gut Bacteroidales culture collection reveal species and strain level diversity and evolution. bioRxiv. 2024 Mar 09.
PMID: 38496653
A cryptic plasmid is among the most numerous genetic elements in the human gut.
A cryptic plasmid is among the most numerous genetic elements in the human gut. Cell. 2024 Feb 29; 187(5):1206-1222.e16.
PMID: 38428395
Inflammation and bacteriophages affect DNA inversion states and functionality of the gut microbiota.
Inflammation and bacteriophages affect DNA inversion states and functionality of the gut microbiota. Cell Host Microbe. 2024 Mar 13; 32(3):322-334.e9.
PMID: 38423015
A ubiquitous mobile genetic element disarms a bacterial antagonist of the gut microbiota.
A ubiquitous mobile genetic element disarms a bacterial antagonist of the gut microbiota. bioRxiv. 2023 Aug 26.
PMID: 37662397
A highly conserved and globally prevalent cryptic plasmid is among the most numerous mobile genetic elements in the human gut.
A highly conserved and globally prevalent cryptic plasmid is among the most numerous mobile genetic elements in the human gut. bioRxiv. 2023 Mar 25.
PMID: 36993556
Bacteroides fragilis Maintains Concurrent Capability for Anaerobic and Nanaerobic Respiration.
Bacteroides fragilis Maintains Concurrent Capability for Anaerobic and Nanaerobic Respiration. J Bacteriol. 2023 01 26; 205(1):e0038922.
PMID: 36475831
A proteolytically activated antimicrobial toxin encoded on a mobile plasmid of Bacteroidales induces a protective response.
A proteolytically activated antimicrobial toxin encoded on a mobile plasmid of Bacteroidales induces a protective response. Nat Commun. 2022 07 23; 13(1):4258.
PMID: 35871068
Analysis of Effector and Immunity Proteins of the GA2 Type VI Secretion Systems of Gut Bacteroidales.
Analysis of Effector and Immunity Proteins of the GA2 Type VI Secretion Systems of Gut Bacteroidales. J Bacteriol. 2022 07 19; 204(7):e0012222.
PMID: 35735993
A Combination of Structural, Genetic, Phenotypic and Enzymatic Analyses Reveals the Importance of a Predicted Fucosyltransferase to Protein O-Glycosylation in the Bacteroidetes.
A Combination of Structural, Genetic, Phenotypic and Enzymatic Analyses Reveals the Importance of a Predicted Fucosyltransferase to Protein O-Glycosylation in the Bacteroidetes. Biomolecules. 2021 11 30; 11(12).
PMID: 34944439
Bacteroidetocins Target the Essential Outer Membrane Protein BamA of Bacteroidales Symbionts and Pathogens.
Bacteroidetocins Target the Essential Outer Membrane Protein BamA of Bacteroidales Symbionts and Pathogens. mBio. 2021 10 26; 12(5):e0228521.
PMID: 34517753