Armin Alaedini, PhD

My laboratory utilizes a multidisciplinary approach that includes proteomics, immunology, biochemistry, and molecular biology to study host-microbe interactions and the role of microbial and dietary antigens in immune-mediated mechanisms affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) and nervous systems. Our research is focused on the following areas:

Research Area 1 – Inflammatory response to dietary and microbial antigens in the context of GI and neuropsychiatric disease—investigating the gut-immune-brain connection.

Human intestinal mucosal surfaces are colonized by large communities of microorganisms and are in constant contact with an abundance of highly immunogenic dietary and microbial components. Proper regulation of the interaction between the host and the contents of the GI tract is of utmost importance in avoiding aberrant immune responses and requires several different mechanisms. Failure of one or more of these regulatory mechanisms can adversely affect human health, not only through GI disorders, but also in the context of systemic manifestations that may influence cognition and behavior. A primary focus of my group is investigation of the gut-immune-brain connection and the role of intestinal inflammation in the context of GI and neuropsychiatric disease. Our research is currently funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and the Stanley Medical Research Institute.

Research Area 2 – Mechanisms and biomarkers of post-infection persistence of inflammation and symptoms.

In the past decade, there has been increasing interest in the etiology and biomarkers of post-infection rheumatic and neurocognitive symptoms. There is evidence that some of these symptoms are immune-mediated, possibly triggered by the inflammatory response associated with the original infection. A critical barrier to a better understanding of the associated symptoms has been the heterogeneity in etiology and the lack of biomarkers to characterize disease phenotypes and analyze treatment outcome. My laboratory is currently conducting in-depth studies to understand the connection between the bacterial strain genotype in specific infections and the persistence of inflammation and symptoms following antibiotic treatment.

PUBLICATIONS:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/browse/collection/48611722/?sort=date...