Led by Dr. Mariana Angoa-Perez, the Brain-Biome Lab stands at the forefront of translational neuroscience research within Wayne State University's Department of Physiology. Located in the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit, our interdisciplinary team conducts groundbreaking investigations at the intersection of neuroscience and microbiology, with particular emphasis on elucidating the sophisticated mechanisms underlying gut microbiome-brain axis communication.
Our lab utilizes advanced methodological approaches, such as microbiome analysis, 16S rRNA library building and sequencing, confocal fluorescent imaging, and proteomic and metabolomic analysis. Our fundamental discoveries surrounding the multifaceted relationship between intestinal microbiota and neurological function enhance our general understanding of the gut microbiome-brain axis and provide translatable insights into clinically relevant applications.
Current Projects:
Parkinson's Disease – Our research on Parkinson's Disease focuses on identifying how gut microbial metabolites may impact disease progression, and the precise role exercise may play in these mechanisms.
Gulf War Illness – Our research on Gulf War Illness uses mouse models to identify how gut microbial metabolites drive neuroinflammation, aiming to elucidate the mechanisms in which the gut microbiome and brain communicate in the context of disease.
Antibiotics – By revealing connections between microbiome depletion, systemic inflammation, and neuropsychiatric conditions, our research is focused on transforming prescribing paradigms and facilitating a transition towards more personalized and prophylactic healthcare approaches.
