Research Bench Lab

Kirby Laboratory

Location
Microbiology & Immunology
BSB B2410

General Interests
Bacterial Signal Transduction, Microbial Communities, Predator-Prey Dynamics, Xenobiotic Disruption of Microbiomes

View John R. Kirby Bio
Kirby Lab 2019_Intro Component
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Research Areas

Microbiome
We are examining the role of xenobiotics for their capacity to disrupt the gut microbiota with deleterious consequences on host physiology and metabolism. Disease models used in the lab are a salt-sensitive rat model for hypertension, a mouse model of diet-induced obesity, and a mouse model of obesity induced by the second-generation antipsychotic risperidone. We perform physiological measurements related to each disease model, fecal material transfers to establish a causal link between the microbiota and disease, and 16S rDNA and metagenomic sequencing to analyze taxonomic and functional composition of the microbiota. Metagenomic analyses allow us to identify and test candidate probiotic strains of bacteria with specific metabolic features that influence the progression of disease. We have filed a patent (US 2020/0016124 A1) based on our work leading to reduction of weight gain and are in discussions to create a startup company.

Predator-Prey Interactions
The above work is a direct product of our understanding of bacterial interactions between Myxococcus xanthus and Bacillus subtilis as a model for microbial predator-prey interactions. Our primary goal is to assess the role of specialized metabolites produced by both the predator and the prey. Detailed molecular mechanisms for predator-prey interactions in vitro provide insights into gut-based systems in rodents and humans. 

Current Members

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Susanne Mueller, PhD

Research Scientist, Kirby Lab

sumueller@mcw.edu

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Lexi Kazen

Graduate School

akazen@mcw.edu

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Tyler Laib

Graduate Student

tlaib@mcw.edu

Recent Publications