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We are especially interested in the evolutionary role of bacterial natural products in mediating communication, competition, and cooperation between microbes and their hosts. To address these questions, we integrate tools from bacterial genomics, molecular biology, analytical chemistry, and bioinformatics, using the gut microbiome of Drosophila melanogaster as a model system.
Bacterial natural products, historically valued for their applications in medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture, are now recognized for their crucial roles in symbiotic interactions. Research is now focusing on understanding these compounds within microbiota-host symbiosis. Two major challenges currently dominate the field:
Identifying which microbiota-derived molecules are functionally significant
Developing an appropriate model system to study their mechanisms in complex microbiomes.
Overcoming these challenges is vital for understanding the molecular basis of symbiosis and microbial secondary metabolism.
My lab tackles these challenges by combining advanced bioinformatics with wet-lab experiments to identify unique bacterial natural products that potentially drive beneficial host-bacteria associations.
Exploring the evolutionary dynamics of bacterial natural products in Host-bacteria associations
Exploring the evolutionary dynamics of bacterial natural products in Host-bacteria associations
The gut microbiome includes both transient microbes and true colonizers—microbes that have evolved to stably inhabit specific hosts and produce specialized compounds essential for long-term symbiosis. Phylogenomic analyses can distinguish these true colonizers from transient species and uncover the key molecules driving host specificity.
Dissecting the molecular mechanism of the host-specific biosynthetic gene clusters using Drosophila melanogaster as a model
Dissecting the molecular mechanism of the host-specific biosynthetic gene clusters using Drosophila melanogaster as a model
Drosophila melanogaster is an excellent model due to its simple microbiome and ease of tracking. Using integrated omics and molecular biology, we aim to characterize novel small compounds driving these unique host-bacterial interactions previously detected through bioinformatics analysis. Our focus will be on two key areas: (i) Host response and (ii) Microbiota dynamics through combinatorial experiments with native gut microbes and invading pathogens.
Discovering novel chemistry and biological functions of natural products from fly-associated bacteria
Discovering novel chemistry and biological functions of natural products from fly-associated bacteria
Bacterial natural products are key players in drug development, bioengineering, and sustainable agriculture. Discovering novel compounds with diverse biological activities is essential to overcome pressing challenges in human health and ecosystem preservation. Gut bacteria represent a promising source of new therapeutic molecules.
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