Research
Our research focuses on understanding the role of the gut microbiome in neurodevelopmental disorders. We explore how microbial communities interact with the brain through the gut-brain axis, and how dietary interventions can modulate these interactions to improve outcomes in conditions like ASD and ADHD.
Research Overview
Understand how the microbiome communicates with the brain through metabolic and immunological interactions.
Areas of Focus
Gut-Brain Axis
Investigating the bidirectional communication between the gut microbiome and the brain, and its impact on neurodevelopment and behavior.
Dietary Interventions
Exploring how ketogenic diets and other nutritional approaches influence gut microbial composition and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis
Understanding the complex interactions between microbial communities, intestinal function, and brain development in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Autism & ADHD Microbiome
Investigating the relationship between gut microbial dysbiosis and neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly in autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder populations.
What We Study?
Ketogenic Diet and Gut Physiology
The ketogenic diet exerts multifaceted effects on gut physiology, influencing cellular energetics, nutrient absorption, gut motility, intestinal stem cells, immune function, gut barrier integrity, the microbiome-gut-brain axis, gut microbiome composition, hormone secretion, and intestinal circadian rhythms.
Microbiome Research
Gram-staining of an isolated Lactobacillus species
Host-Microbiome Interaction Research
Immunofluorescent imaging of Active-β-catenin stained in a gut-derived organoid following exposure to a microbe
Microbiome & Neurodevelopmental Behavior Research
Heatmap visualization of total distance traveled in the open-field test (5 min) by a mouse following microbiome intervention