RESEARCH

The Human Microbiome in Nutrition, Disease, and Mental Health 

The human microbiota consists of approximately 40 trillion microorganisms, and the genes of these taxa vastly outnumber those found in the human genome. These microbes influence our health in a variety of ways, including training the immune system to respond to infection and affecting reproductive health outcomes (such as those associated with preterm birth and postpartum depression). These outcomes can be moderated by lifestyle and individual factors, such as diet and physiology. Diet can influence the diversity and metabolic behavior of the microbiome, as dietary components act as substrates for microbial metabolism, and the gut-brain axis further mediates the interaction between bacterial communities in the intestine and neurological, immunological and endocrinological processes. We continue to explore the intricate relationship between our microbiota and our health through clinical-based research at the UCSD School of Medicine and with collaborators around the world.  

Recent and ongoing projects: 

Microbial Ecology of the Built Environment 

Urbanization and our indoor lifestyle have deeply affected how we acquire and interact with our microbiota. In the Gilbert Lab, we are working to answer fundamental questions about how built environments shape our microbial interactions, including what factors influence their assemblage, persistence, selection for genetic traits, and transmission throughout these spaces. Much of our research relies on longitudinal surveys. This includes our Home Microbiome Project, in which we recruited public scientists to collect microbes from their home and skin over time. Additionally, our Hospital Microbiome Project characterized microbes from hospital patients, staff, and surfaces over the course of its first year, post-opening. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we followed up on this study to examine the influence of COVID-19 patient occupancy on hospital surface microbiomes, and we continue to explore ways in which we can manipulate microbial communities to reduce infection risk indoors, such as in hospitals, in homes, and on the International Space Station.  

Recent and ongoing projects: 

Marine Microbial Ecology in Human and Environmental Health 

The links between environmental and human health are of great interest to our group, and we are particularly interested in understanding how host-microbe interactions present opportunities to ameliorate anthropogenic impacts and how host-associated microbiomes influence disease ecology. At Scripps Institution of Oceanography, we have a diverse set of research objectives designed to address urgent issues in environmental and human health linked to our oceans.

Recent and ongoing projects: 

Living Soils

Soils are living ecosystems that can have dramatic impacts on sustainability and food security. Furthermore, exposure to soils has a demonstrated influence on human health. We are conducting interdisciplinary research that seeks to rapidly and meaningfully improve the state of our soils to support improved agricultural productivity, carbon sequestration, and human health.

Recent and ongoing projects: