Host-Microbe interactions and pathophysiology

We have/pursue common lines of research on the role of gut microbes (commensal and pathogenic) and their impact on the intestinal barrier and the host physiology during homeostasis and disease. In particular, we are interested in studying how bacterial products such as cell wall fragments and toxins cross and modify the intestinal barrier before mediating their effects systemically. Many of these bacterial products have central roles in the development of late onset diseases such as cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases. One of the major outcomes of our common efforts will be to develop host-target therapeutic strategies to counter the damaging effect of toxins or of microbiota dysbiosis associated with diseases.