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Research Overview

My laboratory focuses on studies to determine how the microbiota contributes to colorectal cancer and immunotherapy. We have studied in detail the carcinogenic bacterium, enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF), using this organism as a model for inducing colon inflammation and carcinogenesis and, more recently, mechanisms by which ETBF interact with host gene mutations, potentially impacting immunotherapy outcomes. In addition, we study the pro-carcinogenic bacteria, colibactin-producing Escherichia coli, Fusobacterium spp and, most recently, Clostridioides difficile. Our data were the first to report a Th17 mechanism for inflammation-induced endogenous colon tumor induction; subsequent work by other groups has confirmed the importance of Th17/IL-17 mechanisms in many cancers including human colon cancer. We also study the importance of bacterial communities in the pathogenesis of colon cancer and immunotherapy with an increasing interest in metabolites influencing host:microbial interactions. The laboratory employs a wide range of methods to achieve our experimental goals including next generation sequencing, RNAseq, microbiology, mouse models, and metabolomics among others. Our long-term goal is to devise ways to utilize the microbiota markers to identify and better predict those at risk for colon carcinogenesis and to more effectively treat cancer patients. 

Additional Titles

Director, Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute Microbiome Program

Director, Johns Hopkins Germ-free Murine Facility

Co-Director, Microbiome Forum