Project Grant 2508176

This Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) provides USD 270,000 to support a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology (PRFB) over a 3-year period from March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2029. The research aims to elucidate the chemical potential of the small intestinal microbiome, focusing on how individual microbes and microbial communities in the small intestine respond to host factors and protect against pathogens. Key planned activities include isolating small intestinal microbes, conducting high-throughput in vitro growth assays to quantify the impact of oxygen levels and bile acids, and using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry to characterize microbial bile acid metabolism. The fellow will also construct synthetic microbial communities to probe their potential for colonization resistance against small intestinal bacterial overgrowth pathogens. This research is expected to enhance mechanistic understanding of the interplay between the small intestine, distal gastrointestinal tract, and the host. The fellow will also engage in public outreach activities, including developing a strategy card game to teach core ecological principles.