University of Utah · BiologyGut Health and Immune Regulation Lab
Ryan M O'Connell · Salt Lake City, Utah
Research Focus
Dr. Ryan M O'Connell's lab focuses on understanding how gut cells and the immune system work together to maintain digestive health and prevent diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The team investigates how tiny signaling particles called exosomes carry messages between cells in the gut, and how these messages can promote healing and fight inflammation. By exploring the roles of various molecules, including microRNAs and proteins in the communication between gut cells and bacteria, the lab aims to develop new therapies for inflammatory diseases.
exosomesgut microbiotaintestinal inflammationmicroRNAschronic inflammationcell communicationprobioticsimmune regulationintestinal homeostasisaging
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate the role of exosomes in regulating inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
AIM 02Identify the mechanisms by which intestinal epithelial cells communicate with gut microbiota.
AIM 03Determine how specific microRNAs influence chronic inflammation during aging.
Skills the Lab Values
cell culturemouse modelsexosome isolationRNA sequencingmicroRNA analysisflow cytometryprotein assaysmolecular cloningdietary interventionstransgenic mouse models
Output against the department
Publications192top 33% of dept.343rd of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations20ktop 20% of dept.204th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.