Our laboratory is interested in how microbial-triggered inflammation protects against pathogens and yet can paradoxically harm the host through secondary effects such as tissue fibrosis and carcinogenesis. The genitourinary tract is our model system. We are examining anti-pathogenic inflammation induced by vaginal commensal lactobacilli, i.e. candidate probiotics, and uropathogenic E. coli. Chronic infection-mediated tissue fibrosis and carcinogenesis are being studied using models of Schistosoma haematobium. Through our research, we seek to better understand microbial-triggered inflammation and harness its potential for human benefit.

We are part of the Stanford Department of Urology and an affiliated member of the Bio-X, the Multidisciplinary Program in Immunology,and Institute for Immunity, Transplantation, and Infection interdisciplinary programs at Stanford. More »

Internal Lab Wiki

Commensal probiotic lactobacilli, such as the single L. reuteri cell in the center of the field shown above (long, thin rod), grow readily in association with vaginal epithelial cells (large round cells). Strains such as these candidate probiotics may protect the female genitourinary tract from infection. More »

A Schistosoma haematobium miracidium inside its egg