Background
The human microbiota, particularly the gut microbiome, plays a pivotal role in regulating host immune responses, metabolism, and signaling pathways. Microbial dysbiosis has been linked to cancer initiation and progression through mechanisms involving genotoxin production, chronic inflammation, and modulation of host cell signaling. Notably, certain microbes can influence tumor suppressor pathways, including the main tumor suppressor p53, altering cell cycle control, apoptosis, and genomic stability. Elucidating these molecular interactions is critical for advancing microbiome-targeted strategies in cancer prevention and therapy.
Models
To investigate microbiota-driven modulation of cancer pathways, we employ a multifaceted model system centered on Klebsiella pneumoniae, a gut bacteria associated with colorectal cancer. This includes in vitro co-culture systems to dissect cellular responses, mouse and zebrafish models to study host–microbe interactions in vivo, and analysis of genomic and metagenomic data from patients to validate our findings This integrative approach enables mechanistic insights into how K. pneumoniae and other pathobionts may influence tumorigenesis, particularly through pathways such as p53.
Current projects in the lab
Inhibition of p53 tumor suppression by bacterial inflammation
Impact of K. pneumoniae type VI secretion system on cancer
Mechanisms of K. pneumoniae colibactin genotoxicity
Role of p53 in immune response to infection and cancer