Microbiome Research Highlighted at the School of Medicine Research Retreat

The School of Medicine Research Retreat was an amazing opportunity to learn about the research going on at the University of Virginia and to build research connections with SOM faculty.

The Microbiome: Friend or Foe Session was phenomenal (even though we went over schedule!). We had four research talks and an official introduction to the TransUniversity Microbiome Initiative. Each talk was chaired by a microbiome-related researcher, who facilitated a 5-10 minute discussion about the current state of microbiome research, available resources at UVA that could enhance the research, and possibilities for collaboration. 

Carrie Cowardin, PhD, a current postdoc at Washington University in St. Louis and soon-to-be faculty at UVA, gave a fantastic talk about “Early life microbiota determines healthy growth".

John Lukens, PhD of the Department of Neuroscience told us about his lab's work “Immune cross talk in neurodevelopmental disorders”. He gave a shout-out to his graduate student, Catherine Lammert, for all of her hard work in developing the project. 

Jasmin Herz, PhD of the Department of Neuroscience presented her work, detailing the "Effects of a wild microbiome (wildling mice) on the immune landscape of the spleen and central nervous system". This spurred a really interesting discussion about best practices in the gnotobiotic germ-free animal facility here at UVA.

And finally, Melanie Rutkowski, PhD of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology provided some fascinating data that shows “

It was a data-filled pre-lunch session that showcased only a fraction of the microbiome research going on here at UVA. We can't wait to host a sypmosium later this year (Fall 2020) to showcase all of the microbiome research here at UVA!