Diet and the Microbiome

Microbiota dynamics and function in vaccine-based protection against intestinal bacteria.

Principal investigators: Ana Maldonado-Contreras, Ph.D. and Beth McCormick, Ph.D.

Objective: We aim to understand the influence of the gut commensal bacteria on the efficacy of vaccination for diarrheal illness. 

Increasing evidence has unveiled the crucial role of the microbiome on the development and training of our immune system. The microbiome can influence the development and function of immune cells, with downstream effects on the response of our immune system towards infectious agents. An important consequence of this is the potential effect on development of immunity after by vaccination. We aim to understand how intestinal microbes can influence the protection conferred by an attenuated strain that we have shown can prevent disease following infection with Salmonella, an important intestinal pathogen.