Functional Microbiomics; Inflammation and Pathogenicity

In the past few decades, the fields of microbiology and immunology have undergone a renaissance, driven inpart by technological advances which have shaped our understanding of microbes as components of complex,polymicrobial, interactive communities. This microbiome can play a role in a number of fundamental aspects ofhuman health and disease, in many instances through the interface with host innate immunity. The immunesystem functions to restrict the potential for damage caused by the microbiota while simultaneously minimizingdestructive inflammatory responses. Disruption of the intensity, duration or physical location of inflammation,however, can contribute to disease. Advances in our understanding of the microbiome, along with a realizationthat inflammatory processes are at the core of a number of common diseases, necessitates a cross-disciplinaryperspective that accommodates the host-microbe interaction in toto. The major goal of this COBRE is toestablish a thematic multidisciplinary research center for the study of the interface between the microbiome,inflammation and pathogenicity. We have assembled a team of junior investigators with complementaryexpertise and outstanding potential, and have partnered these project leaders with well-qualified and dedicatedmentors. An integrated set of complementary projects will make novel connections between inflammatoryprocesses and bacterial pathogenicity, and establish the basis for the development of novel therapeutics anddelivery methods. We will create a multidisciplinary program in research, education, mentoring and careerdevelopment that will facilitate and accelerate the transition of junior faculty to independent extramural fundedstatus. Research will be support by a Functional Microbiomics Core that will provide germ free animal facilities,anaerobic culture capability, microbiome sequencing and bioinformatics, assay of inflammatory markers, andpathology services. An Administrative Core will co-ordinate activities and provide additional biostatistical andbioimaging support, along with a Pilot Project program to ensure a pipeline of investigators. Institutionalcommitment will also help ensure long term sustainability of the thematic research program.