Michigan State University · BiochemistryGut Microbiome and Bile Acid Research Lab
Robert Andrew Quinn · East Lansing, Michigan
Research Focus
Dr. Robert Andrew Quinn's lab at Michigan State University studies how the gut microbiome interacts with bile acids, which are crucial for digestion and gut health. They focus on a group of bile acids modified by gut bacteria, called microbially conjugated bile acids (MCBAs), and investigate how these compounds can influence inflammation and health outcomes in diseases like inflammatory bowel disease. Through their research, they aim to understand the potential of MCBAs as new therapeutic agents for gut-related conditions.
bile acidsmicrobiomeinflammatory bowel diseasegut healthbioactivity
Research Aims
3AIM 01Define how the microbiome produces microbially conjugated bile acids (MCBAs) and their resistance to breakdown.
AIM 02Determine the agonistic effects of MCBAs on gut receptors like FXR in lab settings.
AIM 03Investigate the impact of MCBAs on disease outcomes in a mouse model of gastrointestinal inflammation.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturemouse modelsmicrobiologybiochemical assaysmolecular cloning